Vol. 10 Issue 1 Winter 2018 York, Nebraska

Needs List:These are some of the

items still needed for the Little Jewels

Child Care and Enrichment Center

Work in Progress for Little Jewels by Britney Schweitzer, Director of Little Jewels

As the new Director of the Little Jewels Child Care & Enrichment Center, I would like to share a little bit about myself and the progress of this wonderful project.

I grew up in Milford, NE and began working with young children while I was in high school. I knew at an early age that working with children was something I wanted to pursue in my future. I attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln for one year to earn my general credits before transferring to Concordia University in Seward, NE, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Since then, I have gained vast experience in working with children of all ages. I have served the Head Start community in various roles including Teacher, Supervisor and

Family Advocate. I also served as a Teacher for Epworth Village Learning Center for three years. I have many hobbies in addition to my love of working with young children. I enjoy wood working, creating home decor and repurposing vintage furniture. I also spend time helping my family flip houses, including my very own flip house! I am a lover of animals and have a Cavalier King Charles named Nash. I have also spent a lot of time volunteering for the community of York, through Blue Valley Community Action, Girls on the Run, and the local Elk’s Lodge. I’m excited about the progress Epworth has made in refurbishing our previous Education building into our child care center. The building is taking on a transformation from its previous middle and high school set up. Construction has been completed to close off the kitchen and open up a tiled dining area and messy art area for the children. The classrooms have all been painted light green and tan to resemble the center’s theme,

Nature. Some toys and furniture have been ordered and donated, but we are still in need of many items. Next is to arrange all of the furniture in each classroom and to set up the outdoor play equipment.

We are working diligently on our application for licensure. Everything is coming together very nicely. We are grateful to God and you, our partners and donors, who are making this dream a reality.

If you would like to get involved, volunteers are appreciated to help with any remaining work at the center!

Feel free to contact me at bschweitzer@epworthvillage.org or call our offices at 402.362.3353.

Entryway to Little Jewels New paint going up! Excited for all the toys!

Outdoor play equipment- trikes, balls, sand and gardening supplies, cones, blocks, jump ropes, etc.;Dress up clothes; Storage baskets; Gently used clothes for infants-5 years for all seasons (to have on hand for accidents); Rocking chairs/glider chairs; Indoor potted plants; Board books and picture books

Special Thanks to Marci Twibell and Janelle Erb who donated many kitchen,

classroom, and furniture items; and delivered them to

Little Jewels!

2 Epworth Village Wings

EPWORTH VILLAGE WINGS REMEMBER EPWORTH IN YOUR WILL WINTER 2018

A Special Gift in Memory of a Special Lady by Earl Reed

As a young girl in Stuart Nebraska, Charlotte Reed often indicated that her mother would share about Mother’s Jewels Home. Since then, the ministry at Mother’s Jewels Home/ Epworth Village has been and was special for Charlotte for many years.

As the years passed, Charlotte’s concern for Epworth Village grew; but she really fell in love with Epworth Village when she became a member of the Epworth Village Board as President of the Nebraska Conference of United Methodist Women. Throughout the 15+ years she served on the Board, she increased her loving care for the children and youth plus an appreciation of the staff at Epworth Village.

She was very determined to defend Epworth Village as a valid institution. For example, when the need arose for a new van for transportation, she challenged the Conference UMW to collect the Campbell’s labels. She was a very proud, blessed woman when the keys for the first new van where handed to her, and she handed them to the staff.

Charlotte always had an interest in improving the ministry at Epworth Village. As the services changed to meet the ever changing situations and needs of our society, she always gave encouragement and support. After retiring from the Board, whenever she was near York, she would stop to visit with staff and learn more of their work. To our family, friends and the church, she was always promoting the collection of Box Tops labels and supplies to aid in the ongoing work. In 1994, to her surprise, she was given the Friend of Children Award from Epworth Village.

As a family, we are pleased to have a part in continuing this ministry by donating to the Little Jewels Child Care & Enrichment Center; and naming the toddler room after Charlotte in lasting memory of her heart for children.

Charlotte and Earl Reed

Success Story by Andy Marquart, COO

In June of 2017, Epworth Village received a referral from the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to work with a new family. This family had already been in the child welfare system for 2 years and had already received In-home Family services by three other agencies when we received the referral. The DHHS case manager had heard good things about our staff and work, so asked our agency to begin working with the family. The original reason for the referral was related to an unsanitary home and lack of parents providing for their children’s basic needs.During our time with this family, the parents gained the skills and resources needed to keep a more clean/safe home. The parents and children were connected with mental health services to address the family’s needs. Staff were able to work with the parents on numerous issues including domestic violence by the mother directed towards the father. Due to these issues though, the parents separated and filed for divorce, but the story does not end here! Our staff was able to continue working with the father on his parenting skills so he could move forward with reunifying with his children. We assisted the father in securing safe housing, utilizing resources and new skills, and helping ensure his children were in a safe environment. Ultimately, the children’s needs have been met and their father is properly caring for them. Due to the work of our highly skilled staff and in five months time, the children and father live as a functioning family unit and the DHHS case has been closed.

Christmas Party = Huge SuccessAll had much fun; and, even Santa showed up for our Christmas party with our foster families and their children in care! We could not have done this without the help of these churches and families: York UMC, Dr. Hotovy and crew, McCool Junction UMC, Stromsburg UMC, Shickely Bible study group, Martin and Jeannie Leeper, Davenport/Ong UMC, Milligan UMC, Fairmont UMC, and Lifewalk Church. Thank you!!

Staff telling Santa their wishes!

Little Elves at work!

Some of our great staff!

Even more Little Elves at work!

EPWORTH VILLAGE WINGS REMEMBER EPWORTH IN YOUR WILL WINTER 2018

3 Epworth Village Wings

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Warner Melvin & Lois Wiens

Jeff Reynolds Tom & Suzanne Vanous

Shirley Schepers Fred & Kristi Scheele

David Swartz Tom & Suzanne Vanous

Shirley Trauger Gordon Fillman Abbi Kleinschmidt

Alvin Wrage Fred & Kristi Scheele

Epworth Village, Inc. In Honor of…

Joe & Jaylene Bauerly Mary Ann Urwiler

Frank C. Christensen Mary Ann Urwiler

Ron Christensen Mary Ann Urwiler

Marlene Huston Jerry & Sandi Kleine

Pastor Pat Norris Rising City UMC

Pastor Todd & Diane Karges James & Marilyn Girardin

Earl Reed Margaret Klimek

Cliff & Harrietta Reynolds Brock United Methodist Church

Karen Samuelson Robert & Ann Hittner

Bishop Ann Sherer-Simpson Carol R. Brewer

Delores Stasch Shelley Corry

Marjorie Watson Gilbert & Shirley Naber

Camryn Wood Tim & Jane Goding

Carson Wood Tim & Jane Goding

Epworth Village Foundation In Honor of… Greg & Amy Wright Fred & Kristi Scheele

In Memory of…

Betty Ball Fred & Kristi Scheele

Jon Ball Fred & Kristi Scheele

Robert Fertig Fred & Kristi Scheele

Kent W. Fox Fred & Kristi Scheele

Leroy Garrels Fred & Kristi Scheele

Rev. Kilo Kaleuati Rev. & Mrs. Clifford Reynolds

Marceil Milsap Common Stock Farm David & Cornelia Hansen

Dwaine Morgan Fred & Kristi Scheele

Muriel (Midge) Redfern Fred & Kristi Scheele

Charlotte Reed Billie Dee Baumert Louise Boyd Arla M. Boydston Virginia A. Britton Julie A. Claybaugh Rev. & Mrs. Milan S. Coleman Mary Louise Dutcher Terry & Denise Eurek Darlene Hall Fern V. Heim Douglas & Anne Kallesen Connie Karges Kurt & Jerene Kruse Lakeside UMC Loretto UMW Bishop Joel & Raquel Martinez Randall & Mary McCafferty Robert & Cheryl Murphy Bethyne H. Noble Carol K. Reed Earl Reed Scott & Debbie Taylor

In Memory of…

Lavonna Bowman Mary Ann Urwiler

Ardis Cunningham Mary Ann Urwiler

Jerry Cunningham Mary Ann Urwiler

Marguerite Dickey Mary Ann Urwiler

Marley Ellis Fran Crowe

Brian Hedrick Boyd Hedrick

Helen Hirschfeld & Lydia Hohlen David & Linda Hirschfeld Gilbert & Shirley Naber

Joe & Shirley Hunter Mr. & Mrs. John Ord

Herbert Mowrey Frances Myer

Muriel Redfern Douglas & Becky Koopman

Charlotte Reed Eldon & Esther Adams Dixie Allbery Arnold & Gloria Bates Kathleen Briard Rena Conner Christine Connor Margaret Donovan Dennis & Granada Dooley Christine M Eurek Paul & Deborah Eurek Patrick & Loraine Eurek Betty Frank Charles H. Gates Marian Gilsdorf Douglas & Deborah Hanes-Nelson Coralie K. Hayes Neil & Sheryll Hickman Cecil Holland Marilyn B. Hutchinson Colleen Jacobsen Kimley-Horn Assoc. Margaret Klimek LaRene Konopasek Mary Jo Krolikowski

Clifford Lowell Mullen UMW James & Alyce Nelson Lavonne Nightengale Norfolk First UMC Norfolk Westridge UMW T.L. & Karen Osborn Plainview UMW Jacqueline E. Rea Earl Reed Cliff & Harrietta Reynolds Loren & Lavina Schwaninger Steve & Linda Senn Robert & Jeanne Smith Mary Ann Urwiler Armin Vogt Delores F. Wantlin Robert D. & Helen Wigert Marilyn Zehring

Jeff Reynolds Mary Ann Urwiler York First UMC Marilyn Zehring

Jodi Schmaderer Melvin & Linda Schmaderer

Betty Schultze Fran Crowe

Emmett Scott Bradley Braasch Darrell & Linda Scott Mary Scott Robert & Kimberly Sevening

Lyle & Margaret Stock Mr. & Mrs. Dave Stock

Shirley Trauger Robert Trauger

Rosa Vinsonhalen Donald & Carole Gerdes

Marvin Wickett Mary Ann Urwiler

Caroline C. Wilson Donna Jo Smith

2017 Memorial and Honors Listing

P.O. Box 503 • 2119 Division Ave. York, NE 68467-0503

402-362-3353www.epworthvillage.org

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EPWORTH VILLAGE WINGS www.epworthvillage.org WINTER 2018

Epworth Village Foundation Happenings

Kristi Scheele, President

Epworth Village Wings is published four times a year by Epworth Village, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. Third class postage is paid at York, NE

Epworth Village, Inc. PO Box 503, 2119 N. Division Ave., York, NE 68467-0503

• We gave $30,000 to Epworth Village Inc. to help start The Little Jewels Child Care & Enrichment Center. Childcare is a real need in the York area, so we are very excited to be able to partner with Epworth Village on this project.

• We are planning a free seminar on Estate Planning in April. With the new tax law in place, we think this will be very beneficial to all who attend.

It is so exciting to be able to say Epworth Village is very much alive and serving more and more families. This is possible because of a great staff and your generosity. Your gifts whether big or small MAKE A DIFFERENCE! And for that we are extremely grateful!

Blessings to you all for a wonderful 2018!

In 2017, the Foundation held its quarterly meetings in February, May, August and November. We also welcomed two new board members; Pastor Dan Spearow and Ben Royal. They both bring talents and perspective to the board that will be most beneficial.

As we look at 2018:• We have increased our NET campaign

on Radio and Television, airing spots on the radio at drive times the first week of every month. And on television we are running prime time spots during the first week of the month. On Saturdays around the grain market programs, we are running spots highlighting our “Gifts of Grain” program. I hope you have seen them as I think they are very well done.

Free Estate Planning SeminarThursday, April 10, 2018

5:30 p.m.Kilgore Memorial Library, York

Call or email Kristi Scheeleto reserve your seat!

Phone: 402-366-2423Email: scheelefarms@gmail.com

A very BIG thank you to everyone who gave during our year-end ask in regards to the

Little Jewels Child Care & Enrichment Center. Our goal needed was $30,000. We are grateful for your gifts totaling $27,431.30. We are very close to the goal! If you are interested in helping with this project, you can send your donation through the mail or online at

www.epworthvillage.org.

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