United Way of the Midlands will report back to the community and share goals for future impact at its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Friday, October 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Omaha Hilton Hotel, 10th and Cass Streets.
UWM’s mission is to impact poverty by focusing the efforts of many to help our neighbors stand strong – by addressing basic needs, and fostering success in the classroom and the workplace.
UWM’s 2019 “Citizens of the Year” will be celebrated at the event – Wally and Barbara Weitz:
Wally Weitz was born in Pittsburgh to a social worker and a college professor. He grew up in New Orleans in the 50s and 60s, where the roots of both entrepreneurial instinct and social conscience were evident early. He earned a B.A. in economics at Carleton College, where today he serves as the Chair of Board of Trustees, and went to New York to work for a small Wall Street firm. In 1973, Wally and Barbara moved to Omaha, in pursuit of Midwestern surroundings. Wally joined Chiles, Heider, a regional investment firm where he spent 10 years managing accounts for individuals and doing equity research. In 1983, he founded Weitz Investment Management, which now manages about $4 billion in assets through its family of mutual funds and separately managed accounts.
Barbara Weitz was born in Lincoln where she lived with her family until her father completed law school and they moved to Charleston, SC. Her family would relocate one more time – to Chicago – before they returned to Nebraska when Barbara was seven. She graduated from Westside High School in Omaha and earned a B.A. in political science from Carleton College, where she met Wally. With her degree, she entered the job market and worked as a speech writer for the Minnesota Governor’s office. Shortly after, Wally and Barbara married and moved to New York City, where Barbara earned her Master’s in Public Administration from New York University. When they returned to Omaha, she began a career as a mother, volunteer and director of Christian Education for a local Presbyterian congregation. After she received her MSW from University of Nebraska Omaha, she taught in the School of Social Work for 15 years. Currently, she serves on the University of Nebraska’s Board of Regents.
Together, Mr. and Mrs. Weitz began the Weitz Family Foundation in 2000. The Foundation seeks to break the cycle of poverty in Omaha, NE, by empowering individuals, agencies and organizations to create a more equitable and peaceful society. Beyond the work of their foundation, the couple is active in the local non-profit community, focusing their efforts on education, social justice and the arts.
The Weitz’s are most proud of their three children, Katie, Roger and Drew, and their six grandchildren.
To recognize those companies who went above and beyond to support UWM during the 2018 campaign year, UWM will present its second annual “Campaign Recognition Awards” at the meeting: “Volunteer Organization of the Year,” “New Business Partner of the Year” and “Corporate Partner of the Year.” A news release will be sent out following the event with details on the award winners.
About the United Way of the Midlands United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro for more than 95 years. Guided by best practices and community input, it approaches poverty in a specific way – a “united” way. With the support of volunteers, community partners and donors, UWM invests 92 cents of every donated dollar in our local community. These dollars fund basic needs, education and financial stability programs at local nonprofits, creating a circle of support for people in need. Please visit unitedwaymidlands.org for more information.
Download full press release HERE
UNITED WAY OF THE MIDLANDS CONTACT: Brayton Hagge (bhagge@uwmidllands.org) Office: 402.522.7963 | Mobile: 605.661.2137 Jill Samuelson (jsamuelson@uwmidlands.org) Office: 402.522.7922 | Mobile: 402.319.8213