Midlands Community Foundation

Thank you Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska for having us out to help celebrate the new observation deck at Camp Maha in Papillion! While we were there, we got to check out the whole camp, including the zipline. Last fall the Girl Scouts were recipients of a grant from MCF which supported upgrades to the zipline's safety equipment and gear.

It was great to see campers enjoying this beautiful space and we're thankful for the opportunity to support part of what makes it so special. MCF supporters make our grant program possible, so thank YOU for partnering with us to uplift our community. ❤️

Midlands Community Foundation raised $62,000 at its 2026 golf tournament at Oak Hills Country Club on Monday, May 19. The tournament was sold out with 36 teams participating. Read more about the tournament and special beneficiaries here https://midlandscommunity.org/news/midlands-community-foundation-raises-62000-at-2026-golf-tournament/

Thank you to National Inventors Hall of Fame for inviting us to check out Camp Invention this week! This spring we awarded National Inventors Hall of Fame a grant to support this STEM orientated programming at camps in Gretna and Plattsmouth.

Campers harnessed their innovative powers to solve community challenges, sharpen their detective skills, explore entrepreneurship, and blast off into new worlds on galactic missions! We are so grateful for the opportunity to support fun education programs like this in Cass and Sarpy counties and especially thankful to be invited to see all the fun and learning in action!

The grant program that benefitted this camp and many other community initiatives and nonprofits is only possible through MCF supporters, so we want to thank you, too!

Congratulations to the Papio Lions on another fantastic Hops for Harmony event! What a perfect way to spend a summer evening all while supporting Project Harmony . We're proud to contribute to an event that supports their work and grateful for the opportunity to sponsor such talented local musicians!

Bellevue Rocks presented by the Bellevue Community Foundation kicks off this Thursday and continues through the weekend packed with rides, live music, food, drink and more, so check out their full schedule!

Bellevue Rocks! Riverfront Festival starts this Thursday, June 4th - 7th! 🥳 FREE LIVE MUSIC, Huge Family Carnival, Beer Garden, Vendors & more.

On behalf of the dedicated volunteers of the Bellevue Community Foundation, we'd like to invite everyone in Bellevue and our surrounding communities to join us for one or more days of family-friendly fun, live music, carnival rides, great food, and community celebration. June 4th - 7th @ American Heroes Park in Bellevue!

Thursday, June 4 – USA 250 Celebration Night:
We'll kick off the festival by celebrating America's 250th birthday with an evening dedicated to honoring our nation and the Bellevue-Offutt community. The Jimmy Weber Band will get things started @ 6pm before the USAF Heartland of America Band "Raptor" takes the stage @ 8:15pm with an energetic performance. The evening will conclude with a spectacular USA 250 Fireworks Show presented by our friends at Bellino Fireworks. 🎆

Friday, June 5 – Rock the Riverfront:
Friday night features two outstanding regional bands. Omaha favorite ENVY will open the evening @ 6:30pm with a mix of classic and modern hits, followed by Iowa's Not Quite Brothers @ 9pm, a high-energy band that always gets the crowd involved. These bands put on fantastic shows! If you love live music, Friday night is one you won't want to miss. 🥳🎸

Saturday, June 6 – A Night of Tribute Favorites:
Saturday brings two nationally recognized tribute acts to the Bellevue stage. The evening begins @ 7pm with The Ultimate Michael & Janet Jackson Experience, featuring incredible music, dancers, costumes, and all the hits that defined a generation.

Then at 9pm, Bellevue goes country as Whiskey Friends "The Morgan Wallen Experience" takes the stage. This Chicago-based tribute band performs arena-style shows across the country and delivers all of Morgan Wallen's biggest hits and fan favorites.

Three nights of outstanding FREE LIVE MUSIC right here in Bellevue! 🎶

Carnival Fun All Weekend:
The Heart of America Shows Carnival will operate throughout the festival with rides and games for all ages. Don't miss Discount Carnival Night Thursday, June 4th from 5pm - 10pm! Only $30 for daily ride wristband per person for Thursday night! ($35 for daily ride wristband per person for Friday Night. $40 for daily ride wristband per person for Saturday Night. $30 for daily ride wristband per person for Sunday).

Heart of America Carnival runs from 5pm - 10pm on Thursday, 5pm - 11pm on Friday, 4pm - 11pm on Saturday, & 1pm - 6pm on Sunday. No refunds on any Carnival ticket or wristband purchases, and due to weather.

A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors, volunteers, and the members of the Bellevue Community Foundation who work year-round to make this event possible.

Important Festival Information
• American Heroes Park will be closed beginning Monday, June 1, to allow crews to prepare for the festival.
• Bellevue Rocks opens at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4.
• Free shuttle service will be available from Bellevue East High School Friday & Saturday Nights ONLY.
• A clear bag policy will be strictly enforced.
• No coolers or outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.
• No entry or re-entry after 10:30 p.m. each night.

FREE Admission, $5 donation suggested. We can't wait to welcome everyone to American Heroes Park for a weekend of music, fun, community, and memories.

As many of us have spent time enjoying the holiday weekend, we hope you’ve also had a moment to honor and remember the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

The MCF office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. We will be back in at regular office hours on Tuesday, May 26th.

It's no surprise to see MCF's 2026 Reflection Award winners shining in the Hometown Hero Spotlight in the Papillion City Lifestyle May issue. We were honored to recognize their positive community impact earlier this year and we're glad to see their story continue to be shared. Congratulations, Tim and Tonee!

𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕: 𝑻𝒊𝒎 & 𝑻𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒚

This month, we’re recognizing Tim and Tonee Gay, recipients of the 2026 Midlands Community Foundation Reflection Award, for their lifelong dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the Papillion and Sarpy County community.

From leadership roles with the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners, Nebraska Legislature, OPPD Board, Midlands Community Foundation, PLCS Foundation, Papillion Arts Foundation, and many more, Tim and Tonee have spent decades making a lasting impact through quiet service and generosity.

Midlands Community Foundation Executive Director Diane Knicky shared,
“I’ve had a front-row seat to their unwavering dedication and generosity. They have given so much to so many, quietly and selflessly, never seeking recognition, only hoping to make a meaningful difference.”

Thank you, Tim and Tonee, for your dedication to our community and the countless lives you’ve impacted along the way.

📖 Read the full feature in this month’s Papillion City Lifestyle
Sponsored by Debbie Meyer BHHS Realtor

We are so glad we could spend a day on the course with everyone who made our Annual Golf Tournament possible! Thank you to our golfers, volunteers, sponsors, and raffle prize donors for being an integral part of such a successful event.

This fundraiser not only supports our grants program, it also gives back to meaningful nonprofit projects throughout Cass and Sarpy counties. This year, part of the tournament proceeds will benefit the Cass & Sarpy County Fairs, helping fund upgrades and improvements to fairgrounds and facilities.