Event recap
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Global Volunteer Month recap
Volunteers Turned Care into Action Across the Metro
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This April, volunteers across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro showed what it looks like when neighbors show up for one another.
thank you!
During Global Volunteer Month, United Way of the Midlands celebrated the caring spirit that strengthens our community through volunteer recognition, hands-on service projects and opportunities for individuals and teams to make a meaningful difference.
From 402 Day to a community-wide Good on the Go event with Mayor John Ewing, the month was a powerful reminder that volunteering is one of the most tangible ways we care for our neighbors.
Watch the Global Volunteer Month Highlight Video:
GLobal volunteer month by the numbers
Each number represents people choosing to care for their community in real, practical ways
kicking off global volunteer month
Global Volunteer Month began with 402 Day, a celebration of our community and the people who make it strong.
At UWM, we believe a caring community is a great place to call home. Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways people can help build that kind of city.
Last year alone, more than 58,000 volunteer hours were shared by people showing up to make a difference across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.
In the News
To help more people find their place in this work, Carly Weld, CVA, UWM’s Director of Volunteerism, joined Omaha Extra to share how individuals and teams can get involved right where they live and work.
Celebrating local leaders at the 2026 volunteer appreciation luncheon
8 AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
One of the most meaningful moments of the month was UWM’s 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Awards Luncheon, where we honored volunteers whose thoughtful leadership and dedication play a significant role in strengthening our community.
Whether supporting a workplace campaign, leading a team, reviewing grants or showing up again and again for days of service, these individuals help create real results across our community.
Congratulations to our 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Award winners.
We are deeply grateful for the volunteers who give their time and talents to support local families, nonprofit partners and the broader work of building a stronger metro.
The luncheon was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Their support helped us recognize the people who step up to give back and inspire others to do the same.
National Volunteer Week: The Power of Workplace Volunteerism
During National Volunteer Week, teams across the community came together to turn their time and energy into meaningful support for local nonprofit partners. Through Good on the Go volunteer events hosted by local workplaces, volunteers assembled kits to help organizations meet practical needs across the metro.
Participating partners included:
In total, 131 volunteers assembled 2,740 essential kits supporting nine organizations across the metro.
When companies make space for employees to serve together, they help strengthen team culture while supporting the community they call home. Each item packed represents care and support for our neighbors.
Wrapping Up the Month with Mayor John Ewing and the Year of the Neighbor
United Way of the Midlands wrapped up Global Volunteer Month in the best way we know how: by bringing people together to make a difference.
In partnership with Mayor John Ewing and the City of Omaha’s Year of the Neighbor, volunteers gathered for a community-wide Good on the Go event to assemble 1,000 snack kits for local organizations.
The kits supported Goodwill Omaha, Heartland Hope Mission, Latino Center of the Midlands and The Simple Foundation.
This event brought together neighbors, volunteers and community partners around one shared purpose: helping meet a real need across our community.
It was a simple, hands-on way to take action, and a powerful reminder that when people show up for one another, real impact happens.
Why Volunteerism Matters: Creating a Ripple of Good
Volunteers are the heartbeat of a strong community.
At UWM, volunteerism is more than one project — it is one of the ways we activate the caring spirit of our community to address pressing needs and create lasting impact.
Volunteers
- Support nonprofit partners
- Help assemble essential kits
- Lead workplace campaigns
- Serve on committees
They lend their skills, time and energy to make sure assistance reaches people who need it most. And in the process, they help build a more connected community.
Thank You for Showing Up
When people volunteer, they create a ripple of good that extends far beyond the moment of service.
Because of you:
- Thousands of essential kits were assembled,
- Local nonprofits received meaningful support,
- Volunteers were celebrated and
- New people were connected to opportunities to give back.
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.
Want to keep the momentum going?
