Elkhorn, NE: Mimi Hannor, Open Door Mission, Shares Opportunities for the Home Office Team to Give Back

Julie & Mimi        Open Door Mission in Omaha, joined the VHS Home Office Team for lunch on Friday, March 13. Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission, located at 2205 E Locust St. It was founded in 1954 committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Omaha. Mimi shared passionately from her heart as she presented opportunities for our team to give back.

In the fall of 2014 Jack and Eldora joined Candace Gregory, President and CEO at the Open Door Mission, for a fabulous lunch hosted by the culinary team at the Mission. They had a wonderful time, great conversation and enjoyed touring the incredible campus that has been developed just North of downtown Omaha. During their conversation Candace mentioned that ODM was expanding donations centers to include a drop-off location in Elkhorn, not far from the home office. Following their time with Candace and the ODM Team Jack and Eldora returned to Vetter Health Services to share their observations and insights of Open Door with the Home Office Team. The launch of the new Elkhorn donation site at 1620 North 203rd Street was announced late last fall. Donations are received Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.

Approximately 20,000 people are homeless in Nebraska every night. Approximately 2,000 people are homeless in Omaha every night. The average age of a homeless person is 9 years old. Nationally, about 50 percent of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence. Studies indicate that 40 percent of homeless men have served in the armed forces, compared to 34 percent in the general population. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 816 safe, shelter beds to homeless men, women and children, serves over 2,000 hot, nutritious meals and provides preventive measures to more than 275 people living in poverty.

Mimi overviewed the work the Open Door Mission does and shared her passion to care for homeless people. She invited us to considering partnering with her and the team at Open Door Mission. Opportunities to give back include:

• Volunteering
• Give 1 day or 24 hours a year – 2 hours at a regularly scheduled
time each month to assist at the Mission. This can be done as an individual, family or group.
• The Timberlake Outreach Center is located on the Open Door Mission
campus at 2107 East Locust Street, Omaha, NE 68110. Staff will be available to greet you with a smile and work along side you hand in hand.
• Drop in volunteers are welcome on a walk-in basis to help Sort, Organize and Shelve donations at the Timberlake Outreach Center! No need to schedule ahead of time, just come on down! Monday-Thursday 11:30am-8:00pm; Fridays 9am-5pm; Saturdays 1pm-5pm & Sundays 1pm-3pm.
• Develop an SOS Team – Sorting, Organizing and Shelving donations or be available to receive donations
• Build a volunteer team from work, your church or organization
• Teach a class
• Make a donation of gently used clothing and household goods or furniture.
• Financial contributions are welcome. You can give regularly through Heartland Hands. Memorials are always a thoughtful gift.  Endowment is another opportunity.
• Participate in fundraisers hosted around Omaha such as the Jimmy Egg’s fundraiser on Monday, March 16 from 6:00 to 2:00 p.m. , 60 Years of Blessing Event coming up on April 22nd, etc.
• Give a Memorial
• Become a friend or advocate for ODM
• Hope Totes – create kits of personal care items for homeless men, women and children as a group or special holiday project So many opportunities to give back. You can read more about giving opportunities at www.opendoormission.org.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

Submitted by Julie Knobbe, Administrative Assistant, Vetter Health Services

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