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THE TWIG is a publication of :
The Omaha Home for Boys
4343 North 52nd Street
Omaha, NE 68104
The Omaha Home for Boys is a member of the National Fellowship of Child Care Executives and the National Association of Homes and Services for Children.
Founded in 1920, The Omaha Home for Boys is licensed by the State of Nebraska and is governed by 70 Trustees and our Board of Directors of 30 who serve as volunteers without financial remuneration. Annual operating and financial statements are prepared by certified public accountants and filed as public information with the Nebraska Department of Social Services.
The Omaha
Home for Boys 75th Anniversary History Books are available. To
receive your copy contact Marsha Cussen at 1-800-408-4663 today! To
read the Home's complete history, click on the history book to your
right. Also available is the Home's new video -- "A Vision of
Caring".
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME? If you have a
question about the Home, would like to receive our financial
statements, or we can help in any way, call us at our new toll free
number 1-800-408-4663.
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The OHB Video - "A Vision of Caring" |
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The Home's video, "A vision of Caring," is avaialable for viewing in your home of presenting before clubs or groups. If you would like to borrow a copy please let us know at 800/408/4663 and we will make sure you receive the tape. | ||||
On the outskirts of Nebraska lies the small town of
Hyannis. In this area resides a family with hearts bigger than the
whole county!
Mike Pallas, Farm Manager, remembers his first visit to Hyannis. Mike had been on the job for about two weeks when he was told he would have to make the trip. He remembers driving and driving, up a long driveway into the property, and then, "Wow." The rolling hills of the Circle Dot Ranch spread for miles and miles.
Mike was greeted by Earl, father of James, who started a tradition that has come to mean a lot to the family and to the boys involved in the 4-H program at The Omaha Home for Boys.
James shared the following in a note to the Home.
"We've been donating calves to The Omaha Home for Boys for 25 or 30 years. It is very rewarding when we receive the thank-you letters and see the smiles on the boys' faces in the pictures. We're glad to be a small part of your commitment to the youth in your Home."
Mike Pallas tells enthusiastically about the 4-H program.
The all-important message that everyone is told from the beginning
is, "I can't never done anything!" "I can't" is not an accepted
attitude for a boy in the 4-H program. Sounds simple, but for boys
who have a track record of being abused, abandoned, and very seldom
completing a project, the task ahead can at times seem
insurmountable. The 4-H program teaches responsibility from start to
finish.
The circle begins at Hyannis and continues across the state to the Home. A calf brought to the Farm from Hyannis, shown by Tim, won first place for rate of gain-a significant award that Tim has won two years in a row, thanks to the donation from James and family.
"Kids want to be winners and I want them to have a shot at winning," Mike says. "Several years ago the boys would go to competitions, see what the other kids were doing, and feel like they could never match up. Now, with the improvements that have been made to the program, if a boy wants to be a winner, he has a good shot at being one."
As you listen to Mike talk about something as simple
as a calf and a boy, suddenly you realize that in the simplicity lies
the beauty. Mike tells about several of the boys who
have competed in years past and how they keep in touch,
sharing stories about their families and activities.
Mike smiles as he tells about the subtle changes that take place as a boy works with a calf. "Over time you'll see it-the boys don't, but we do. The boys will begin to take on the attitude of the animal or vice versa. You'll see a boy who has been rowdy calm down as he gets to know the docile spirit of his calf."
Resources have been the ticket to a winning program. Donors like James make all the difference.
Looking ahead, Mike has a vision for what can happen at Cooper Farm. "From day one the Farm has been used more than I ever imagined. I want Cooper Farm to be the lead in facilities of its kind. County shows, clubs, and people other than boys from the Home are realizing the Farm is a wonderful place to be."
Summing it up, Mike says, "Whatever it takes, that's what we want to do to make a boy successful. From beginning to end I'll continue stressing 'I can't never done anything!'"
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Speaking
Personally
Let's take a Moment to talk about
…Growth.
Growth means different things to different people. Here at The Omaha Home for Boys growth means:
And growth means working with you - the dedicated supporter - to ensure the programs and facilities are available to give needy youth the chance for a brighter tomorrow.
Growth means many different things. But for The Omaha Home for Boys, in the final analysis growth comes back to the individual youth we touch. Growth comes back to the life lessons we teach them.
Walt Disney once said, "If you can dream it, you can do it." At The Omaha Home for Boys, growth is helping give a boy back his dreams.
And thanks to your help, the Home is growing … and the boys are dreaming … every day.
In this issue of The TWIG, you will read about the positive growth taking place in the boys and on the Home's campus. As you read the stories, I hope you will remember that, through your care and support, you are helping make their dreams come true.
Thank you.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
"Whatever it takes" begins in many ways. The Home salutes the Circle Dot for its many years of caring enough to make sure a boy can have a special calf. A special salute also goes to friends like you who share in a multitude of other ways to allow kids the opportunity to be a kid. A salute to Mike and his assistant, Kelly, for keeping the Farm such a great place to be. And to the boys involved in the program, we salute you for completing the circle. Your smiles are worth it all!
The Douglas County Fair can be summed up in two words: "Very successful." A total of 20 calves and 16 lambs were shown - quite a number for the show ring. Practice paid off and everyone entered the ring prepared to the best of their capabilities. They looked both nervous and excited; all of them belong on the winner's list.
A total of 74 ribbons were received: 30 purple, 37 blue, 4 red, and 3 white.
Several first in class and seconds also were awarded. The special memories, however, are far too numerous to count!
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Growth Is the Evidence of Life
As you wind around Mormon Bridge Road, you begin to notice the changes. The hustle and bustle of the city slowly disappears and the houses become further and further apart. Just when you think you've missed it, there's the sign.
First-time visitors often miss the turn into Frosty's
Pines, but they'll miss it only once. Getting out of your car, you
are instantly struck by the trees that grow as far as your eye can
see.
You'll notice another thing: the atmosphere is upbeat and friendly. Men with graying hair work alongside teenagers who are sporting the trendiest haircut and jeans. But everyone is working together.
Jerry Tosoni, owner of this Christmas tree farm, has been in business for 14 years. He speaks with pride about the growing of a tree and the time it takes to shape it to perfection. "A mature tree takes seven years to grow. The trees aren't trimmed until they've grown for four years. At that time we go through and trim them to give them their shape," he says.
Boys from The Omaha Home for Boys have been working with Mr. Tosoni, his brother, Jim, and "Stoney" for the past three years. John Furstenberg, President of the Home, is an important part of the whole puzzle. John is excited about what this relationship means to the boys and the Home. "Jerry called me three years ago and wondered if any of the boys would like to work at the tree farm. That year we had three boys who went to work. After that as many as eight boys worked at the farm. Now when Jerry calls he says to send him as many as want to work," John says.
Austin went to work at the tree farm in December 1999 and
before long he was put in charge of coordinating all of the young
workers. Austin appreciates the time he was able to spend outdoors,
doing something fun and useful, and making some money along the way.
From a distance you can see a special bond that forms from working hard side by side. During the slow times the young and old alike swap stories, ask for advice, and laugh together. John comments, "When the boys first started coming out this year it was always 'Mr. Fustenberg this' and 'Mr. Furstenberg that.' Now, when I pick them up in the morning it's a hearty, 'What's for lunch, Fursty?'"
Frosty's has learned the art of growing a great Christmas tree - seven years to grow and trim it after four. They've also done well in the growing of young boys: planting a seed, nurturing it, and watching it grow into a well-shaped man.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Steve Steinbruck Named Rookie of
the Year! Steve was named 1999 Rookie of the
Year as an Omaha North High School mathematics teacher. Steve's
colleagues at Omaha North High say his
relaxed yet professional attitude makes him a popular and appreciated
asset to the staff and students. Steve always goes the extra mile.
He makes positive phone calls to the homes of his students, attends
their extracurricular activities, and is a tutor at the Home. Steve
is able to develop a positive rapport with even the most challenging
student. The Home is pleased to have Steve as a tutor.
Congratulations, Steve! Your efforts are most deserving of this
significant award.
Boys Receive Academic Honors.
The support from public school educators,
the House Parents, and tutors combine to make a huge impact on the
boys' success. For the fall semester 1999, several boys at Benson
High School received special recognition. For academic excellence we
congratulate Adam, Todd, James, Mark, Drew, Marlin, and Amos.
William and Adam were also honored for perfect attendance. We are
proud of each and every boy and their accomplishments both in and out
of school. Way to go!
Staff Earn Grad
Degrees. Four of our Family Service's staff
recently completed their master's degrees in Social Service. We
congratulate Kevin Orr, Brett Matthies, Eric Klooz, and Angela
Weis.
Drew, Scott, Ryan, and
Jerome recently completed the first edition
of The Stump, an intra-campus newsletter produced by boys at the
Home. Assisted by Miss Andrea Rye, an enthusiastic volunteer with a
love for journalism, these boys have done a great job. The first
edition met with rave reviews. Watch future issues of this
newsletter for some excerpts from The Stump. Thank you, Drew, Scott,
Ryan, Jerome, and Andrea, for a job WELL DONE!
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
If you build it, he will come." That line from the movie Field of Dreams has become a reality at the Home.
For many years, a number of people in the Omaha area
associated The Omaha Home for Boys only with the old softball field
on campus. The field sat just behind the
administration building and was home to boys' fast-pitch
softball leagues from the early 1960s through the mid-1980s. These
leagues were coordinated through the Omaha Softball Association and
included separate leagues for boys age 8 through 18. But in the late
80s, the leagues dried up. The Home was the last to continue to
enter teams in the leagues. Everyone else had switched to baseball.
The old field just wasn't large enough for baseball. Besides, most of the baseball being played was through Little League organizations-all of which had their own complexes and would have used the field for practice only. The Home still used the field for pick-up games and for intramural leagues one night each week, but weeds and clumps of grass were more prominent in the infield than grounders and line drives.
By 1996, the field was more of an eyesore than an asset. At about the same time, increased utilization of buildings on campus by community groups and programs began to cause major parking problems. The location of the old field was the most logical placement for new parking. So, we took the old but built the new. "If you build it, [they] will come." We did, and so have they.
Last summer the
new outdoor, multipurpose field was completed. Immediately, Benson
High School, the local school attended by resident high-school youth,
moved in and started using the field as their "home" field. Monroe
Jr. High used it for their boys' and girls' soccer games last fall.
The lights from the old field were moved and increased to accommodate
the additional size, and the field became ideal for the fall
intramural flag football league. The staff / youth intramural
softball league will use it in late spring and all summer long.
The new field also has allowed for a totally new program. This summer will be the first time the Home has offered an instructional baseball program for neighborhood youth. Forty-eight boys from the community will have an opportunity to participate in this program.
Now, new generations of Omaha youth are building memories that will last a lifetime. Yes, since we built it, they have come.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Last November six of the older boys rolled up their sleeves and gave the most precious gift of all . . . the gift of life.
For the last couple of years the Red Cross's mobile
blood unit - affectionately referred to as the "bloodmobile" - has
been stopping at The Omaha Home for Boys. Including staff,
volunteers, neighbors, and youth, the Home typically brings between
20 and 30 donors to the bloodmobile!
For the last visit, the older boys again did their part. Rob, Kevin, Jim Andre, Cory, and Tommy all gave blood, some of them for the first time. The "vampire" jokes were thick as the young men lay down on the cots in preparation.
Of course, they all made it through unscathed. And most important, thanks to your support and care, the boys are learning what it truly means to give the gift of life.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
What People are Saying about The Omaha Home for Boys
"I think The
Omaha Home for Boys is a super and safe place for youth, and I have
seen remarkable changes in most of the boys with whom I have been
privileged to work. The House Parents, administration, and the other
staff at the Home are dedicated, resourceful, and remarkable. Just
working two nights a week gives me a little insight into how
difficult and all-consuming their jobs are; however, the rewards are
incredible."
- Ms. O'Brien, a tutor at the Home for 12 years
"I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to succeed. I realize that I was not always a great student in college, but you always stuck with me and let me find my way. I hope that I can serve as an example for other youth in the Home. I definitely plan to give back something to the Home when I am able."
- Mark, former boy at the Home and participant in the scholarship program
"The Omaha Home for Boys is a very important, influential, and professional resource for our community. I have the highest respect for its work and refer parents and youth there regularly."
- from survey of agency questionnaires
"I feel that The Omaha Home for Boys, its staff, and particularly my son's House Parents have given my son the guidance and nurturing needed by a troubled youth. I am pleased with the actions, attitude, and overall decent behavior and mannerisms that my son exhibits during his home pass visits. I only pray that his behavior and attitude of respecting others, particularly adults, continues in the positive direction once his stay is completed. Thank you. I respect and appreciate all that you do for my son and all of you there at the Home.
- parent of a boy at the Home
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
I received a phone call today from Janet, a donor and
friend of The Omaha Home for Boys. She and I chatted for a few
minutes - about the Home, about her home and family. We had a
wonderful conversation. Then Janet said, "I want to thank you . . .
but I'm not sure why."
On my end of the phone I smiled. "I know why," I said. "You want to thank the Home for helping you make a difference in young lives."
"You know . . . you're right!" she said.
I knew why Janet wanted to thank the Home, because over the years I've worked with hundreds of friends just like her. Hundreds of caring people who want to make a difference in the life of a youngster. Hundreds of friends who have given a needy child the chance for a brighter tomorrow through The Omaha Home for Boys.
They always start out the same way - by asking themselves, "How big a difference can I make, just one person alone?" The answer, which always surprises them, is that they are not alone. Together, the Home, our friends and donors, and you are helping youngsters grow into the men we want them to be. Your care, concern, donations, and planned gifts are giving these youth the skills they need to be successful in life.
On behalf of all of us here at the Home, I want to thank you for all you do. If you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, feel free to contact me at 800-408-4663 or 402-457-7014.
Thank you.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Charitable Remainder Trusts … A Win-Win Strategy
Let's face it - our first motivation when we think about writing our will is to provide for our children or loved ones. Although our motivation to give is natural, our motivation to provide for our children and ourselves is natural too. We all have an interest in supporting our income needs first, our families after we're gone, and usually, charitable causes with the remainder.
If there were a way to simultaneously provide for your income needs and your family's needs, and provide support for your favorite charity(ies), would you be interested? Charitable remainder trusts are the one way you can provide for your income needs, provide for your children, and support charitable causes - a win-win-win strategy.
The charitable remainder trust allows for an asset (land, property, stock, etc.) to be transferred through a trust, while you receive a lifetime income. This tool can be a wonderful way to transfer assets that are highly appreciated because gifting the assets avoids capital gains liability. By transferring an asset to a charitable trust, you are able to have 100 per cent of the asset earning income without shrinking the asset due to capital gains taxes. In addition, many high-earning assets yield a low income. The charitable remainder trust avoids this problem as well.
When you transfer an asset to a charitable remainder trust, you receive a charitable deduction - an additional financial benefit. The charitable deduction is based upon the amount of the asset transferred, the income payment you choose, the type of trust selected, and the expected term of the trust.
So now you have supported the Home, but what about your children or heirs? One way to provide for their needs is to use the income tax charitable deduction to purchase a life insurance policy. The policy is payable to your children upon death. Life insurance is an excellent asset to provide for loved ones. It is a simple, efficient, and tax-free asset to transfer. And it is immediate.
How does everyone win with a charitable remainder trust? You "win" as a donor because you are achieving your goal of increasing your income and providing for your children. Your children "win" because they are receiving an immediate asset upon the death of their parents, and the Home "wins" because it receives a sizeable gift when the charitable remainder trust is liquidated upon your death. In this way, charitable remainder trusts are a win-win-win strategy.
For more information about charitable remainder trusts, contact your estate planning professional or Todd Simpson at 800-408-4663.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
GIFT
ANNUITY RATE CHART FOR 2000
The following chart is based on a
gift of $5,000:
|
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Age |
Annual Return |
Charitable Deduction |
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65 |
7.0% - $350 |
$1,940 |
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70 |
7.5% - $375 |
$2,105 |
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75 |
8.2% - $410 |
$2,275 |
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80 |
9.2% - $460 |
$2,475 |
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|
85 |
10.5% - $525 |
$2,730 |
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|
90 |
12.0% - $600 |
$2,955 |
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American Council Gift Annuity Rates as of July 1, 1999
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME? If you have questions about the Home, would like to receive our financial statements, or we can help in any way, please call us at our toll free number 1-800-408-HOME.
Our Field
of Dreams
Giving the Gift of
Life