--- title: Nebraska Children’s Home Society raises close to $40k during anniversary celebration - Nebraska Children's Home Society description: Kearney, Neb. (August 15, 2018) – On August 11, 2018, Nebraska Children’s Home Society celebrated its 125th Anniversary, “Children First for 125 Years!,” in Kearney, Nebraska at the Younes Conference Center. Through a silent auction and ask, the event’s audience of 125 guests raised $39,564 to support adoption and foster care services provided by NCHS Read More... image: https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img_0584.jpg --- [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) - - - - - [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) - [130th Anniversary](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [Calendar](https://nchs.org/events/) - [Careers](https://nchs.org/careers/) - [Get Involved](https://nchs.org/get-involved/) [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) [![Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color.svg)](https://nchs.org/) - [Family Support](https://nchs.org/family-support/) - Column 1 - [Pregnancy Services Offering resources, support, & guidance as you determine the best course of action for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/) - [Top Pregnancy Questions](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/top-questions/) - [Kinship Navigation Connecting kinship families to the support & community resources they need to thrive.](https://kinship.nchs.org/) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Become a Families2Families Mentor](https://nchs.org/become-a-mentor-make-a-difference/) - [Full Circle Conference 2024](https://fullcircle.nchs.org/) - [Early Childhood Education Educating & developing children as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.](https://nchs.org/early-childhood-education/) - Column 2 - [Parent & Caregiver Support:](https://nchs.org/parent-caregiver-support/) - [Healthy Families America Personalized advice & guidance for expectant or newborn parents.](https://nchs.org/healthy-families/) - [Self-Sufficiency Gain vital skills needed to become more self-sufficient.](https://nchs.org/self-sufficiency/) - [Teen & Young Parent Program Preparing teens & young parents for adulthood.](https://nchs.org/teen-young-parent-program/) - [Foster Care](https://nchs.org/foster-care/) - Column 1 - [Steps to Becoming a Foster Family Get information regarding the process of becoming a foster family.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#becoming-foster-family) - [Mutual Selection Using a collaborative approach to work toward a brighter future.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#mutual) - [Adoption](https://nchs.org/child-adoption/) - Column 1 - [Adopt Through NCHS Discover the steps you need to take to start your adoption journey with NCHS.](https://nchs.org/adopt-through-nchs/) - [Considering Adoption for Your Child Get assistance with figuring out the next steps for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/consider-adoption-for-your-child/) - [Post-Adoption Services Access resources & support available to you after an adoption is finalized.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services/) - Column 2 - [Adoption Search Discover more about your biological lineage.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#adoption-search) - [Birth-Parent Support Group Peer support for birth parents that chose adoption.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#birth-parent-support) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Learn](https://nchs.org/learn/) - Column 1 - [Blog Catch up on the latest tips & information our team has to offer.](https://blog.nchs.org/) - [Resources Browse our extensive resource library to get the answers you need.](https://nchs.org/resources/) - [A Guide to Kinship Care](https://info.nchs.org/kinship-care-resources-services-help-you-care-unique-family) - [Support For Expectant And New Parents](https://info.nchs.org/pregnancy-services-support-for-expectant-and-new-parents) - [Support for Families Formed Through Adoption](https://info.nchs.org/families-forever-support-families-formed-adoption) - Column 2 - [Events Stay updated on the latest events & volunteer opportunities through NCHS.](https://nchs.org/events/) - [News & Press Read up on NCHS’s latest announcements & community news.](https://nchs.org/news-press-releases/) - [Celebrating 130 Years | NCHS Come celebrate with us as we look to a bright future and remember 130 years of caring for Nebraska’s children families.](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [About](https://nchs.org/about/) - Column 1 - [Mission, Values & Strategic Plan Our core values are the driving factor behind everything we do.](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan/) - [Leadership, Board, & Trustees](https://nchs.org/about#team) - [Partnerships & Donors](https://nchs.org/partners/) - [Strategic Plan](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan#strategic) - [Contact](https://nchs.org/contact/) - [*Family Support* Caring For Your Grandchildren And Yourself Learn valuable strategies for caring for yourself and your grandchildren. Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/raising-your-grandchildren-one-pager/) - [*Foster Care* FOSTER CARE PROGRAM Access the support, resources, guidance, and tools parents and babies need for… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/nchs-foster-care-program/) - [*Adoption* Strengthening Your Relationship As A Family Discover the support and resources available for families formed through adoption or… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/families-forever-one-pager/) - [*Learn* Annual Report Gain insight into the impact and work our team has achieved over… Download Now](https://nchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NCHS-Annual-Report-2021-2022.pdf) - [*About* Strategic Plan NCHS believes in building a bright, healthy future for all children and… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/strategic-plan/) [Blog](https://blog.nchs.org) > [News & Announcements](https://blog.nchs.org/tag/news-announcements) # Nebraska Children’s Home Society raises close to $40k during anniversary celebration August 15, 2018 | 4 min read Share: [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.nchs.org/nebraska-childrens-home-society-raises-close-to-40000-during-anniversary-celebration) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.nchs.org/nebraska-childrens-home-society-raises-close-to-40000-during-anniversary-celebration) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.nchs.org/nebraska-childrens-home-society-raises-close-to-40000-during-anniversary-celebration) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.nchs.org/nebraska-childrens-home-society-raises-close-to-40000-during-anniversary-celebration) Kearney, Neb. (August 15, 2018) – On August 11, 2018, Nebraska Children’s Home Society celebrated its 125th Anniversary, “Children First for 125 Years!,” in Kearney, Nebraska at the Younes Conference Center. Through a silent auction and ask, the event’s audience of 125 guests raised $39,564 to support adoption and foster care services provided by NCHS in Central Nebraska. The event’s keynote speaker, [Danny Woodhead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Woodhead), retired football player, shared his rise from local hometown football star to a 10-year career in the NFL. His keynote speech, “The Power of Family” touched on the role of the family in his upbringing and connected it to the vision of NCHS, “a safe and loving family for every child.” Through his story, Woodhead encouraged the audience to support the work of NCHS throughout Nebraska. NCHS presented awards to two couples in honor of their support for the organization. **Randall Biart Philanthropy Award** This year’s Randall Biart Philanthropy Award was presented to Regina and Gary Anderson of Hastings, Neb. for their generosity in supporting the NCHS vision of “a safe and loving family for every child.” Gary is the owner and operator of Guarantee Electric Company, and Regina is a registered nurse at Mary Lanning Healthcare. The Andersons are long-time supporters of NCHS, serving as members of the NCHS Board of Trustees for over a decade. “They have a true desire to promote the welfare of others, doing so through their selfless support of NCHS over the years,” NCHS Chief Development Officer Brian Osborne said. “As advocates for children, they understand that the future of our children is built on the individual sacrifices we make today.” **Harris Van Oort Friends of Children Award** The Harris Van Oort Friends of Children Award was presented to Stephanie and Brad Kissler of Grand Island, Neb. for their tireless efforts to provide safe and loving care for children. Stephanie serves as director of development for Heartland United Way and Brad is a principal architect with Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates Architects. The couple services in a variety of roles with NCHS. Both are active members of the NCHS Board of Trustees, members of the NCHS Society Circle and serve as foster parents. They also adopted their youngest daughter through NCHS. “Stephanie and Brad give generously of their time, talents and treasure,” NCHS CEO Lana Temple-Plotz said. “Simply put, Stephanie and Brad live our tagline, ‘children first.’” The event also featured remarks from Stacie Goding, a Grand Island adoption attorney who adopted through NCHS. She shared her experience with the adoption process and encouraged the audience to join NCHS in supporting children statewide. Russ Batenhorst, the morning anchor for KSNB Local4, served as emcee for the event, also sharing his story of adopting his son through the organization. **Links** - **[Facebook Event Page](https://business.facebook.com/events/811297605735146/)** - **[Events Photos](https://business.facebook.com/pg/NEChildrensHome/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155282681637723)**   ![](https://blog.nchs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img_0691-509x600.jpg?width=509&height=600&name=img_0691-509x600.jpg) Gary and Regina Anderson, recipients of the 2018 Randall Biart Philanthropy Award, stand with Lana Temple-Plotz, CEO of Nebraska Children’s Home Society. Regina is holding the award.   ![](https://blog.nchs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img_0663-600x478.jpg?width=600&height=478&name=img_0663-600x478.jpg) Russ Batenhorst, morning anchor for KSNB Local4, served as emcee for the event, also sharing his story of adopting his son through the organization.   ![](https://blog.nchs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/img_0586-600x400-1.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=img_0586-600x400-1.jpg) Danny Woodhead speaks to an audience of 125 people at Children First for 125 Years, an event celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Nebraska Children’s Home Society (NCHS). Woodhead, the event’s keynote speaker, spoke about “The Power of Family” through his own personal story and through the impact NCHS has on the lives of children throughout Nebraska.   ![](https://blog.nchs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/brad-stephanie-kissler-with-children-600x400.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=brad-stephanie-kissler-with-children-600x400.jpg) Brad and Stephanie Kissler, recipients of the 2018 Harris Van Oort Friends of Children Award, pictured with their daughters. [![NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/NCHS-Team-Author-IMG.png)](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) [NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) The NCHS team is committed to helping children, parents, grandparents, and families create a safe and loving home. To the NCHS Team, children always come first. By providing support to families and parents, NCHS works to ensure children have access to the care, love, and development opportunities they need to be successful adults. ## Related Blogs September 9, 2024 ##### NCHS Announces Lincoln Office Relocation LINCOLN, Neb. (September 9, 2024) - After 15 years at the Valley Road location, NCHS is announcing... Read More + September 15, 2023 ##### Governor Pillen proclaims September is Kinship Care Awareness Month Caption: Governor Jim Pillen presents Kinship Care Awareness Month Proclamation to NCHS Chief... Read More + August 9, 2023 ##### NCHS Welcomes Five New Board Members OMAHA, Neb. (August 8, 2023) - NCHS is pleased to welcome five new members to its board of... 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