Nathan Struck, 7, cuts a fleece blanket for Omaha Project Linus while volunteer Darla Majewski helps his sister, 9-year-old Maddie Struck.
SIERRA KARST/THE WORLD-HERALD
Ginny DeBates, coordinator of the Omaha Linus Project, stands in front of volunteers in Bryan High School’s gym. DeBates organizes two blanket-making events at the school each year.
SIERRA KARST/THE WORLD-HERALD
{p dir=”ltr”}Three volunteers organize donated fabric at Saturday’s Omaha Project Linus event. From left to right are Sherry Ringle, Joyce Paukert and Betty Smith.{/p}
SIERRA KARST/THE WORLD-HERALD
Diane Neff, 80, holds a bundle of blankets she made for Saturday’s Omaha Project Linus event. Neff estimates she’s donated more than 4,000 blankets over the past 15 years.
Ginny DeBates started out with just 19 blankets when she began her role as Omaha Project Linus’ coordinator in 2003.
For a nonprofit dedicated to comforting kids facing trauma and illness, 19 blankets simply wasn’t enough.
Donations from all-star blanket-makers like Diane Neff — who often makes a blanket a day — helped, but DeBates didn’t know how to get the word out to others.
“From her article, some lady left us a $100 donation, and then we got a little bit of fabric, and then a bunch of phone calls,” DeBates said. “She really was the springboard for us to get off and running in ’03, and I don’t even know if she knows that.”
DeBates estimated that over the next 15 years, Omaha Project Linus donated 75,000 blankets in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro area.
On Saturday morning, the 200 volunteers who gathered at Bryan High School added more than 900 blankets to that total.
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Neff, 80, was at the event, still crafting blankets — she guesses that she’s donated more than 4,000 by now. She was joined by current and past Bryan National Honor Society students and other volunteers of all ages.
Karyn Struck attended with her four kids. Struck said her daughter, Maddie Struck, needed to fulfill service hours as a member of the American Heritage Girls, a Christian scout group.
“It felt like something they could all do,” Karyn Struck said.
The event’s annual location at the high school resulted from Krystal Kolb’s search for a community service project that reflected her curriculum as a consumer science teacher.
Kolb also served as a National Honor Society co-sponsor at Bryan.
When she found Omaha Project Linus online, the teacher saw the potential for a win-win situation for both groups.
“Project Linus needed a big, free space and kids, and we’ve got big, free space,” she said.
The National Honor Society students arrived about 7:30 a.m. to set up, help other volunteers move supplies to the gym and start making blankets, said NHS co-sponsor and dean of students Melissa Gates.
DeBates said Omaha Project Linus is run entirely by volunteers. No volunteers are paid, and they take no individual credit for their work.
Volunteer Joyce Paukert said she enjoys making blankets, picking up donations, sewing on labels and preparing the blankets for distribution.
“Every once in a while, kids (who received a Project Linus blanket) come to tie quilts on our two Linus days to pay back,” she said. “And sometimes we’ll get little colored pictures that say, ‘Thank you for the blankets you made.’ That’s our paycheck.”
The organization accepts donations of fabric, sewing materials and money. Fully made blankets can be dropped off at various locations throughout the metropolitan area or brought to the next Omaha Project Linus event at Bryan on Feb. 29, 2020.
“We have kids who have lost people, kids who are in the hospital, kids in the foster care system,” she said. “You just have such a wide range of kids you can affect.”
Go trick-or-treating at Westwood Plaza
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Come to Westwood Plaza Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. to trick-or-treat for free. The first 1,500 children will receive a trick-or-treat bag and a foam glow stick. There will also be special appearances by superheroes and princesses. Westwood Plaza is located on 120th Street and West Center Road. More.
Hummel Harvest Nights will take place at Hummel Nature Center Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will include hiking, campfires, s’mores, crafts, games and other family-friendly activities. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online. Hummel Nature Center is located at 3033 Hummel Park Road. More.
Come to RECtoberfest Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for carnival games and field activities, including a rock climbing wall, an inflatable obstacle course, mini golf, football drills, competitive games, prize drawings and more. Admission to the event, presented by the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department, is free. Participants will receive 10 free tickets upon entrance. Each activity requires on ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1. RECtoberfest will be held at Valley View Park, 1598 Franklin Ave. in Council Bluffs. More.
Come to Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St. in Council Bluffs Friday for a free movie starting at 7:30 p.m. This Friday’s movie is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Bring chairs and blankets. More.
Come to Fontenelle Lake, 4407 Fontenelle Boulevard, Saturday for the free Fontenelle Family Fishing Frenzy event from 10 a.m. to noon. This is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished in years. All participants who are 16 and older need a fishing license. More.
Scout Day will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Omaha Public Safety Training Center, 11616 Rainwood Road. During the event, learn how to fingerprint with the Omaha Police Department, get fire safety tips from the Omaha Fire Department and get an exclusive look at the vehicles and other equipment. The event is free and open to the public. More.
Fat Brain Toys is celebrating its 17th birthday Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The free birthday party will feature Donna Trout the clown, a magic show, balloon animal sculpting and free cookies. Fat Brains Toys is located at 16909 Burke St. More.
Come to the Council Bluffs Library, 400 Willow Ave., Saturday to enjoy a free showing of the family movie, “A Dog’s Journey” from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be free popcorn. More.
Come to the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium this weekend for Ghouls & Glow, a fun and not-so-frightening illuminated spectacle for all ages. About 400 lanterns, custom made for the zoo, will illuminate the Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails. Visitors will encounter dancing skeletons, candy monsters, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, wizards and spider web arches. Outside of the main lantern display, hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins will glisten along the zoo’s pathways, as well as a pumpkin tree, which stands more than 14 feet high. Member tickets start at $8. Non-member tickets start at $10. More.
Come to the Bellevue Berry Farm Saturday for Camp Scare from noon to 2 p.m. Kids ages 5 to 10 can explore their own inner monster and learn scare tactics from Berry Farm actors, dress up to be their own monster and get their face painted. There will also be pumpkin carving and trick-or-treat safety lessons. Cost is $15.50 per camper and includes daytime admission to the farm. More.
Omaha is home to more than 200 parks, and many include playgrounds, trails and other attractions. Check out a list of popular parks here and explore a new park with your kids.
Take an afternoon to go roller skating with your kids. You can laugh at each other while you fall down again and again. Check out Skate City, 1220 S. Fort Crook Road in Bellevue.
Do Space, Omaha's community tech space, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plus it's free. Check out five things to do at Do Space here.
Are your kids animal lovers? If so, there are several ways they can help the animals at the Nebraska Humane Society, including reading to them during adoption hours. Check out more fun ways here.
The Omaha, Bellevue and Council Bluffs Public Libraries are currently offering free day passes to Fontenelle Forest. Each pass admits two adults and children from their household. More information can be found at each library.
The Ralston Arena offers public ice skating for $5, with free ice skate rental. The Motto McLean Ice Arena, inside Hitchcock Park near 45th and Q Streets, offers Family Skate time Sunday from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Trick-or-treating, free movies, storytimes and 20+ other fun things to do this weekend
Looking for something fun to do in the Omaha area this weekend? Check out these family-friendly suggestions, which take place Oct. 17-20.
Visit omaha.com/calendar to see more local events or to submit your own.
Go trick-or-treating at Westwood Plaza
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Come to Westwood Plaza Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. to trick-or-treat for free. The first 1,500 children will receive a trick-or-treat bag and a foam glow stick. There will also be special appearances by superheroes and princesses. Westwood Plaza is located on 120th Street and West Center Road. More.
Have fun at Hummel Harvest Nights
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Hummel Harvest Nights will take place at Hummel Nature Center Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will include hiking, campfires, s’mores, crafts, games and other family-friendly activities. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online. Hummel Nature Center is located at 3033 Hummel Park Road. More.
Check out RECtoberfest
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Come to RECtoberfest Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for carnival games and field activities, including a rock climbing wall, an inflatable obstacle course, mini golf, football drills, competitive games, prize drawings and more. Admission to the event, presented by the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department, is free. Participants will receive 10 free tickets upon entrance. Each activity requires on ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1. RECtoberfest will be held at Valley View Park, 1598 Franklin Ave. in Council Bluffs. More.
Watch a movie at an orchard
BUENA VISTA PICTURES
Come to Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St. in Council Bluffs Friday for a free movie starting at 7:30 p.m. This Friday’s movie is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Bring chairs and blankets. More.
Do some fishing
MATT DIXON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Come to Fontenelle Lake, 4407 Fontenelle Boulevard, Saturday for the free Fontenelle Family Fishing Frenzy event from 10 a.m. to noon. This is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished in years. All participants who are 16 and older need a fishing license. More.
Learn about safety from local first responders
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Scout Day will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Omaha Public Safety Training Center, 11616 Rainwood Road. During the event, learn how to fingerprint with the Omaha Police Department, get fire safety tips from the Omaha Fire Department and get an exclusive look at the vehicles and other equipment. The event is free and open to the public. More.
Celebrate with Fat Brain Toys
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Fat Brain Toys is celebrating its 17th birthday Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The free birthday party will feature Donna Trout the clown, a magic show, balloon animal sculpting and free cookies. Fat Brains Toys is located at 16909 Burke St. More.
Enjoy a free movie
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Come to the Council Bluffs Library, 400 Willow Ave., Saturday to enjoy a free showing of the family movie, “A Dog’s Journey” from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be free popcorn. More.
Come to the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium this weekend for Ghouls & Glow, a fun and not-so-frightening illuminated spectacle for all ages. About 400 lanterns, custom made for the zoo, will illuminate the Bay Family’s Children’s Adventure Trails. Visitors will encounter dancing skeletons, candy monsters, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, wizards and spider web arches. Outside of the main lantern display, hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins will glisten along the zoo’s pathways, as well as a pumpkin tree, which stands more than 14 feet high. Member tickets start at $8. Non-member tickets start at $10. More.
Check out Camp Scare at the Bellevue Berry Farm
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Come to the Bellevue Berry Farm Saturday for Camp Scare from noon to 2 p.m. Kids ages 5 to 10 can explore their own inner monster and learn scare tactics from Berry Farm actors, dress up to be their own monster and get their face painted. There will also be pumpkin carving and trick-or-treat safety lessons. Cost is $15.50 per camper and includes daytime admission to the farm. More.
Visit Omaha's parks
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Omaha is home to more than 200 parks, and many include playgrounds, trails and other attractions. Check out a list of popular parks here and explore a new park with your kids.
Take an afternoon to go roller skating with your kids. You can laugh at each other while you fall down again and again. Check out Skate City, 1220 S. Fort Crook Road in Bellevue.
Check out Do Space
DO SPACE
Do Space, Omaha's community tech space, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plus it's free. Check out five things to do at Do Space here.
Visit the animals at the Nebraska Humane Society
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Are your kids animal lovers? If so, there are several ways they can help the animals at the Nebraska Humane Society, including reading to them during adoption hours. Check out more fun ways here.
Get free passes to Fontenelle Forest
CARRIE KREISLER
The Omaha, Bellevue and Council Bluffs Public Libraries are currently offering free day passes to Fontenelle Forest. Each pass admits two adults and children from their household. More information can be found at each library.
Visit a local community center
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Community centers offer something for every member of your family — from infants to senior citizens. For a full list of community centers, click here.
Go ice skating
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Ralston Arena offers public ice skating for $5, with free ice skate rental. The Motto McLean Ice Arena, inside Hitchcock Park near 45th and Q Streets, offers Family Skate time Sunday from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Go on a unique field trip with the family
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Check out this list of 25 educational places to visit. Not only will your kids have a blast, they'll learning something along the way.
Ginny DeBates, coordinator of the Omaha Linus Project, stands in front of volunteers in Bryan High School’s gym. DeBates organizes two blanket-making events at the school each year.
Bryan High School juniors Cinthya Romero Guardado, left, and Vilma Aguilar tie Project Linus blankets together for distribution. They were among the National Honor Society members who helped set up for the event on Saturday morning.
{p dir=”ltr”}Three volunteers organize donated fabric at Saturday’s Omaha Project Linus event. From left to right are Sherry Ringle, Joyce Paukert and Betty Smith.{/p}
Diane Neff, 80, holds a bundle of blankets she made for Saturday’s Omaha Project Linus event. Neff estimates she’s donated more than 4,000 blankets over the past 15 years.