Helping Those in Need During This Holiday Season

[Rhonda Dunaway]

We are trying to collect information on opportunities for giving to others in need during the upcoming holiday season. If you have any information on upcoming charitable drives or donation opportunities, please contact us here at MomsofOmaha.com, and we'll post your information on our website. Thanks and happy holidays!

[Rhonda Dunaway]

Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion is now holding a "One Warm Coat Drive" from November 21st through December 21st. Help clothe needy families with coats to keep out the cold. Bring new or gently used coats to the bins at Sweet & Sassy, JC Penney, and Nebraska Brewing Company, and share the gift of warmth this holiday season. For more information, visit http://shadowlakeshopping.com/promotions.asp.

[Cher Klosner Lane]

Hi Moms! This is Cher Klosner Lane. I read an article yesterday about Reverend Livingston Wills - "The Broom Man" - it absolutely broke my heart. If you don't know him, he is 90 years old, was born blind and has made his living all of his life walking door to door in Omaha selling his brooms. He is the kindest, most gentle and humble man you could ever hope to meet. I knew him personally about 12 years back, and he even came and said a special blessing at my wedding. Back then, he said he tried to sell 12 brooms a day to make ends meet. These days he barely is able to sell 5 brooms a week, and doesn't know how he is going to get through the winter and pay for heating bills. I feel like Omaha has an opportunity to provide an "It's a Wonderful Life - help George Bailey" moment, and help him in this time of need. My choir is brainstorming this week about how we can help this wonderful man who has been such an inspiring figure in Omaha since as far back as I can remember. We want to do something - take up collections at work, or set up an account at a bank, or buy his brooms, whatever we can do. Reverend Wills has a heart of gold. Would anyone like to help? I 'm going to contact the World Herald tomorrrow and maybe some tv stations. If anyone has any ideas on how we can help, or would like to help, post here. Thanks so much, everyone! Cher

[Rumpleteazerak]

You know, I could use a new broom. I'd be happy to help him meet his weekly quota in sales if I knew where to look for him. Do you know his contact information? I've seen him around town from time to time, but it's been a few years. If you get something set up, please let me know or post it here. I'd like to know what the plan is. Thanks!

[Moderator]

Hi Cher,

I think everyone who has lived in Omaha for awhile has met or seen Rev. Wills. He's an institution!:) It's been quite a few years since I've seen him, but I bought a broom from him many years ago. I would love to donate and/or buy a broom. I think it's a great idea to establish an account for him at a local bank. That way, if the newspaper and TV stations do a story on him, they can also give that information so people know where to send a donation.

Is he still selling brooms door to door? There's got to be a better way to sell. Perhaps some local stores would let him sell brooms there. Maybe the Flea Market that's located where the old Rod Kush Furniture store used to be. Would he be able to do that? Here's my other idea. Think Girl Scout Cookies! Make up an online broom ordering form that people can print, take to work and get orders from their co-workers/friends/family, and collect the money. Then, they can total up the number of brooms ordered, call that order in to him, and then arrange to pick-up the order in a day or two when it's ready. They would then distribute the individual brooms to each person who ordered.

Thanks Cher, and keep us updated.

~velveetah

[Cher Klosner Lane]

Great ideas Moms!!! Cher here - Thank you so much. I spoke to a couple people who are close friends of his - I'm meeting with them next week. After Christmas, we will most likely take orders for him - and have a nice reception where people can come pick up their brooms. I'll keep you posted with the info and how we can take /place orders as I get more! Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you all:)

Hugs, Cher

[Rhonda Dunaway]

Thanks for your posting, Cher.

I think you have a great idea, and I admire you for taking action on something you heard about. So often, we read or hear about someone in dire straits, feel bad for a moment or two, and then get caught up in our own problems and worries again and forget what we've read or heard. It's easy to feel bad for someone, but much more difficult, or at least challenging, to actually figure out a way to help that person. So, thanks again.

With a dog, a husband, and an active 6-year-old boy, Heaven knows I can always use another broom (or 2), so I would definitely be willing to place an order. Also, please let me know what MomsofOmaha.com could do to help you with this project. I would be happy to post an article or announcement on our home page where we would get more views. We currently have over a thousand unique visitors to our site each month, so we could probably generate even more orders that way. Please let me know what we can do.

Happy Holidays and God Bless You!

Rhonda Dunaway

[Cher Klosner Lane]

Thanks Rhonda! Thanks to all of you - I'll keep you posted as I get more info.

Today in the paper there was another article about Rev. Wills - he has touched so many lives and hearts throughout his years in Omaha, and there has been an outpouring of generosity from so many people - it's especially good to read in the midst of all the sadness that has taken place this week .

Yes!! That would be wonderful, Rhonda, to pull the whole group in to help on this - every little bit will help. Thanks for offering.

Thanks again - I'll be in touch again next week.
Hugs to you all,

Cher