Fall 2020
Celebration 2020 On Saturday, August 29, friends and supporters of Madonna School and Community-Based Services gathered virtually for Celebration 2020, Madonna’s signature annual fundraiser. This year marked our Diamond Anniversary – 60 years of empowering Madonna GEMS! Our “Celebration” kicked off on Monday, August 24 with the opening of an online auction offering a wide variety of silent and premier items and a greeting from Archbishop George Lucas. Throughout the week we shared video remarks from very special Madonna stakeholders - those who knew our Posthumous Honoree, Foundress Sr. Mary Evangeline. Featured were reminiscences by former Madonna Board member Scott Heider, Madonna alum Randi Christiansen along with Madonna’s longest tenured teacher “Coach” Diane Vaiskunas and Sister’s longtime assistant Carol Henn. Our General Chairs, Jennifer & David Arnold and CK Duryea, shared their personal story of Madonna’s impact through the journey of Madonna student Elise, Jennifer & David’s daughter.
Bright and early on Saturday the 29th our virtual emcee, Travis Justice, welcomed our virtual community to Celebration. Greetings from Travis were shared throughout the day providing informational vignettes about our programs (and our Special Coffee) and featured auction items. The day continued with a video musical performance from our students, the Madonna GEMS, coordinated by music therapists Mary Lynn Bennett and Sara Dean and culminated with a beautiful video tribute to Sr. Mary Evangeline. These videos tell a wonderful story of our mission and are still available for viewing at www.bidpal.net/madonna. Take a few moments to visit the site as it will warm your heart. While there, please review our sponsor list; support those who support Madonna!
Thank you to the Madonna Ambassadors who hosted small gatherings at their homes throughout the city on Celebration day! These Ambassador parties provided an opportunity to celebrate Madonna, teach guests more about our programs and create an environment of competitive bidding on the auction items!
We are grateful to all who participated! Virtual auctions have become the norm and we were blessed that the community truly embraced ours – so much so that every item on the Teacher’s Wish List was funded and we doubled our sales of Madonna Special Coffee! Overall, $300,000 was raised in support of faith-based special education and services. Our GEMS thank you.
Top: Karen, Kendall and Brad Lemkau prepare to greet guests at their Ambassador Party. Left: Jon Burt presented a recognition plaque to General Chairs Jennifer & David Arnold and CK Duryea. The plaque is a replica of the stained glass window in Madonna School’s chapel. Right: Thank you to Nothing Bundt Cakes for the delicious desserts and look at these great Ambassador party favors!
Memorials & Honorariums
Memorial donations were received for Donationshold Madonna have close been to received their heart to honor. the following the following. Please remember them individuals who hold Madonna close to their heart: in your prayers. Elise Arnold Kay Acquazzino Cole Macdonald Jennifer and David Arnold Albert J. Angele Gladys Mandel Mary Lynn Bennett Jeanne Baker Shirley McDonald Matt Cooney Sister Clarice Faltus Mary and John Bathen Yvonne McGarry Lewis Hasebroock Doris and Bert Brockhouse Michael Nolan Blake Hodgen Mary Brutsche Ursula Obrist Clayton Byam Rosemary Holeman Sister Mary Evangeline Randolph, RSM Janet and Larry Horacek Kathleen and Edward Connolly Mary Ann and Neill Rapoza Steve Lefler Larry Cusic Elizabeth Reilly Kendall Lemkau Dr. James Dunlap Marie Roemen Avery Lovgren William Dunn Dr. Milada Schirger Sam Marchese William Fitzgerald Richard Schneider Ann Naple Nadine Hand Albert Stein Susan and Ken Ocken Michaela Harper Adelaide Szynskie Joe O’Kane Darlene Hawley Olga and Jack Trembath Fr. John Pietramale Joseph Jareske Sarah Placek Barb Kennedy Donna Schroeder Ryleigh King Diane and Joe Schwaller Larry Kramer Kim Sobczyk Christopher Laird Darian Stout Donations have been received to The Students of Madonna School honor the following individuals who Our Thanks and Gratitude A LETTER FROM MADONNA PRESIDENT, JON BURT Friends of Madonna, • The work of our partner schools to need within the community, took that need provide inclusive Catholic Education to heart, developed a solution, and founded Sr. Mary Evangeline During this time of great challenge and • The 40+ businesses, non-profits and one of Omaha’s brightest gems, Madonna Randolph, RSM uncertainty, there is one term that keeps community organizations who partner School & Community-Based Services! Foundress, 1919-2015 coming to mind – gratitude. During our with Madonna We are honored to carry forward Sr. most difficult battles we often regain a deep • The support of thousands of advocates, Evangeline’s vision and legacy, and we are appreciation for the simple things that make volunteers, and donors incredibly grateful for the faith you show MADONNA SCHOOL life such an incredible gift. Today, as a • The vision, professional expertise, and in us through your ongoing and generous Madonna community, we are counting our perseverance of Sr. Evangeline support of Madonna. That generosity has Jon Burt blessings, and we are grateful for: • The gift of Madonna for over 60 years! been on display in incredible ways since the President pandemic hit, and we could not be more • The health of our students, clients, staff, Celebrating Madonna’s Diamond grateful. and their families Anniversary during a time of crisis is Diane Cochran • The opportunity to be together once apropos because it was out of crisis that Today, we are counting our blessings, and Director of Transition again for school and adult service Madonna was born. In 1960, special we are most grateful for you, our friends of and Employment • The technologies that allowed us to stay education programs and publicly supported Madonna! connected when we were physically adult services did not exist in Omaha, but God Bless, Jill Franco apart that did not deter Sr. Evangeline. She saw a Director of Education and Child Development
Toody Moffatt Madonna Class of 2020 Director of Advancement Madonna honored a tremendous Class of 2020 this summer! Nine Secondary students commenced Tabitha Keating from the school into Transition, and six Transition students earned their diplomas as graduates Director of Administration of Madonna. The Graduation ceremony was held June 17th, 2020, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. It was a wonderful evening, celebrating each student’s successes and achievements Niki Mahoney during their time at Madonna. Our thanks to Fr. Ryan Lewis and the entire St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Director of Finance community for hosting us and helping us execute a safe event during this time of COVID-19. We were thrilled to offer our students and families the in-person Graduation ceremony they deserved and worked so hard to achieve. This talented group of young adults has established a strong ADVISORY BOARD foundation that will allow them to maximize their success at work, at home and as fully included members of our local community. Congratulations, Commencers & Graduates! Sr. Marie Angele, RSM Jody Jurgens Byam Secondary Commencers: Kaleb Acosta, Wes Bolil, Megan Fortner, Tyler Harper, Dallas Horeis, Mary Dallas Horeis posed for a photo Pat D’Agosto Clare O’Malley, Will Safranek, Monica Sobcyzk and Jenna Twomey. Transition Graduates: Gabriel opportunity as he celebrated his W. Tate Fitzgerald Debban, Jasen Dunning, Mallory Emig, Nathan Michell, Daniel O’Connell and Matthew Phillips. secondary commencement. Sharon Flanery Amelis Long Ann Holtz Marcuzzo Michaela O’Kane A Record-Breaking Year Fr. John Pietramale Wendy Prosser On May 20, Madonna participated in OmahaGives!, the annual online celebration of charitable Joe Schwaller giving hosted by the Omaha Community Foundation. Throughout the day we shared James Tews highlights of our programs and services and, by mid-day, received such strong support that we Dan Vacek stretched our initial goal by 25%. We were blessed to exceed the new target, receiving over $26,500 in contributions from more than 160 donors. These proceeds allow Madonna to positively impact those with disabilities, helping them to lead their most independent lives. Thank you, Omaha, for your support!
excited about this group of talented young men and Back in Action women, “Together, whether online or in-person, Elementary they are working hard to learn new recipes, take care of our on-campus garden and landscaping, Madonna’s partnership with St. Pius/Leo & St. make lunches for the Siena Francis House each day, Robert Bellarmine Schools has been a tremendous practice functional academics, and clean, clean, success, and we are so excited for year two of clean. We are excited to be back as a community.” inclusive Catholic Education in Omaha! We experienced 100% student retention and 40% Adult Services growth in the program. In addition, 12 siblings of Madonna’s adult service agency, Madonna students in the program have joined their brothers Employment Services (MES), keeps growing and and sisters at our partner schools. We thank our growing and growing! Launched five years ago partner schools for saying “YES!” to providing a under the leadership Diane Cochran, Director, the high-quality Catholic Education for all students. program has grown 50%-100% each year and now Secondary provides 60 adult clients with a full spectrum of small group and 1:1 services, including Habilitative Our students and Workshop, Habilitative Community-Inclusion, teachers are excited Supported Employment & Supported Family Living. to be back together In addition, MES partners with Nebraska VR to help after completing work-ready adults achieve competitive employment. last year via distance learning. After going “virtual” last spring, the Madonna team The coffee cart is worked hard to prepare for our students and clients open for business! to return to in-person learning and services. We Secondary students were thrilled to welcome back our adult clients receive orders and on June 15, and with the return of Secondary & make coffee for Transition students on August 17 our campus was Madonna staff each again made whole. Staff and students are carrying Wednesday. It has out a strict set of protocols that have proven very been a great practice effective to date, with no community spread of and our students are ready to expand their work to COVID-19 on campus to date. Please continue to our partner schools and organizations across the pray for the health and safety of our entire Madonna community. Please let us know if a weekly visit family during these challenging times. from the Madonna coffee cart would be a treat for your team! Left: Sylvianna Shonk prepares a coffee order. Transition Upper right: Music Therapist Mary Lynn Bennett and Joseph Tran “shake” some music with their “egg Our young adults ages 18-21 are working hard to shakers” at St. Pius/St. Leo School. Bottom: Adult develop their career and life skills as they prepare Employment Services clients Abby Szynskie and Sarah for adulthood. Darian Stout, Madonna Assistant Placek clean up after practicing like skills by preparing Director and Lead Instructor for Transition, is their lunch. Madonna Golf Classic
The 18th annual Madonna Golf Classic was held at Champions Run on June 22 and once again it was a tremendous success! The morning began with Madonna students, adult clients, faculty and staff greeting eighty golfers who enjoyed perfect weather - a beautiful day on the course. An online silent auction added to the fun of the day. The round of golf was followed by a short program and a hearty steak dinner, all conducted in compliance with social distancing guidelines. We are grateful to the golfers and to our generous sponsors -- due to their support a net amount of more than $120,000 was generated to advance faith-based inclusive education in Omaha. Since its inception, the MGC has raised over $2 million! Thank goodness the game of golf naturally lends itself to social distancing so the “show could go on” in 2020! Top right: Our students take to the course – from left to right, Secondary teacher Sarah Burch, Tommy Schroeder, job coach Reese Baumgartner and Will Knudson-Smith. Bottom left: Director of Advancement Toody Moffatt and Lewis Hasebroock start the morning with a smile! Bottom right: Fr. Don Shane offers a prayer before the noon shotgun start, Madonna President Jon Burt looks on.
Thank You Corner
Thank you to7 Day Furniture who donated a portable kitchen island for the Transition classroom’s teaching kitchen. This island has expanded counter and storage space and allows for greater social distancing during group teaching. It is especially handy when students practice life skills daily by preparing their lunch!
Thank you to our friends atTMS Designs for engineering custom plexiglass dividers for Madonna School! These panels create personal space, allow for social distancing and are an additional safety precaution in our COVID-19 safety plan. Sister Evangeline Day Mass
Each year we honor our foundress on the anniversary of her birth, September 25. This year we were able to come together as a community for a Mass celebrated by Fr. John Pietramale. A special thank you to Fr. John and to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church for hosting us.
Upper right: Emily Guzinski at the podium sharing the reading. Left: Drew Vacek performed with the Madonna hand bell choir. Lower right: Monica Sobczyk and Elise Arnold offer Prayers of the Faithful accompanied by Transition teacher Mrs. Jeanne Farner as Fr. Pietramale looks on.
Madonna in the Community
Beginning in August, our Transition Students and Employment Services clients began packaging sack lunches for the Siena Francis House. Since the beginning of this project, over 1200 meals have been made. Lunch preparation includes making cold meat sandwiches and packaging them with fruit snacks, chips and a drink. Our groups have taken a lot of pride in this opportunity and have enjoyed giving back the community we all value so much. Thank you to Linda Twoney, Siena Francis House Executive Director and a Madonna parent, for coordinating this effort with Madonna.
Upper left: Mary Clare O’Malley waves “hello” as she packs lunches.
Lower left: Transition students Dallas Horeis, Elise Arnold, Drew Vacek and Tessa Moldenhauer are proud of their efforts and are fulfilled by giving back to the community.