The First Responders Foundation is proud to announce University of Nebraska President Ted Carter as the keynote speaker for the 2021 9/11 Luncheon of Honor. The luncheon will be held on September 10th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Marriott Downtown in the Capitol District. Click here for more information and tickets.
Category: News
Nationwide Ride
Nationwide Ride
The Nationwide Ride is a two-person charity cycling event that kicks off on July 5th on Good Morning America. The coast-to-coast ride spans over 3,500 miles and directly benefits the First Responders Foundation and 7 other worthy social impact organizations.
The ride starts in New York City and ends in Pacific City, Oregon at the end of August.
The riders, John Bladholm and Chris Ray are riding to provide a way for citizens of our nation and the generous partners and sponsors of the Nationwide Ride to give back to the country.
John says, “This has been a difficult year for so many, yet hope and gratitude remain strong in my heart. This ride will hopefully strengthen my faith that our country is still full of good people wanting to help each other.” John is a Partner of Green Barn Events and is the Co-Founder of the Nationwide Ride. Green Barn Events is a Pacific Northwest event management company with a focus on nonprofit fundraising.
The Nationwide Ride consists of seven cycling stages.
Each stage is approximately 500 miles and is supported by a generous sponsor that benefits one of the eight nonprofit organizations. The First Responders Foundation sincerely thanks 7-Eleven for being the sponsor of the FRF stage. Each stage will highlight one of the nonprofits and the supporting sponsor.
The First Responders Foundation will be highlighted during stage three where the riders will be traveling between Minneapolis, MN, and Joliet, IL. Along the entire 3,500 miles, 85 miles a day for 45 days, John and Chris will be joined by celebrities, athletes, sponsors, and special guests.
To make a donation to the Nationwide Ride on behalf of the First Responders Foundation click here. If you would prefer text-to-donate text the word “ride” to 402-518-5110.
To make a donation to the Nationwide Ride on behalf of the First Responders Foundation For more information on the Nationwide ride, the stages, the route, and on the other nonprofit organization click here.
For more information on the Nationwide ride, the stages, the route, and on the other nonprofit organization First Responders Foundation Support
With the support of sponsors and volunteers,100% of every dollar donated during the ride will go directly to the benefiting organization. Donations will be accepted via text-to-give or online. The goal is to generate a total of $500,000 for the nonprofit foundations.
Along with the First Responders Foundation proceeds will benefit the Fire Family Foundation. Black & Gold NW (USO, Special Operations Warriors Foundation and The Green Beret Foundation), The Sam Day Foundation (Pediatric Cancer Research), Feeding America, the Harrington Family Foundation, and The Maurice Lucas Foundation.
John states, “The Nationwide Ride allows us to partner with like-minded sponsors to support the foundations in need of financial support. We have worked with each of our chosen foundations, some of them for decades. We support them, we believe in their mission and we are invested in their success.
Special thanks go out to the generous sponsors of the Nationwide Ride:
- Bandit Wines, Pacific Bells, 7-Eleven
- Trinchero Wineries
- Sutter Home Family Vineyards
- Sparkling Ice
- Nabisco
- Safeway/Albertsons
- Dark Horse Comics
- Les Schwab
- Pelican Brewing
- TriCor Technologies
- Castelli, Brown Foreman
- LinkUs
- Oregon Fruit Company
- Clif Bar, Andino Coffee
- ABC Roofing
- SOS Hydration
The Nationwide Ride is hosted by Green Barn Events out of Portland Oregon led by Athena Willems. Green Barn Events hosts hundreds of events each year specializing in nonprofit events and raising money for important causes.
The First Responders Foundation thanks all at Green Barn Events for organizing this special event that will help fulfill our mission to honor and serve first responders, veterans, and their families.
Todd Sears Named President of the First Responders Foundation
Todd Sears, former President and Publisher of the Omaha World-Herald, has been named President of the First Responders Foundation. Sears is the third president of the Foundation taking over for Al Batschelet, former President/CEO, who will now act solely as the CEO.
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Law Enforcement Jiu-Jitsu Training at the FRF
Brian Bonifas Brings Law Enforcement Jiu-Jitsu Training to FRF
Our newest addition to the First Responders Foundation, Brian Bonifas, brings a unique approach to fulfilling our mission, “To serve and honor all our First Responders, Veterans, and their families, build appreciation and respect for their work and enhance public safety.” Brian is teaching Law Enforcement Jiu-Jitsu Training with the goal of keeping officers safe and providing non-violent control options during arrest situations in the greater Omaha area.
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What about First Responders Mental Health Needs?
Talking to First Responders about THEIR Mental Health Awareness
May is mental health awareness month. You probably don’t need anyone to tell you there are mental health needs out there—you see it every day in the public. There are hospitals and therapists and doctors to help people. And it’s also your job to help people, and you do it every day.
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Spotlight on Leah Harms, Behavioral Health Clinician & Physical Wellness Coordinator
Leah Harms has been a member of the First Responders Support Team (FRST) since 2019 when she attended training for therapists who were interested in working with first responders. Growing up with a father who served as a firefighter in Lincoln, she says that the first-responder culture is something that has always been familiar to her, and it is a niche that has interested her professionally for a long time. Leah is also the fiancé of a Council Bluffs, IA firefighter.
Interactuando Con La Policía
Las buenas conexiones y la confianza entre la policía y la comunidad son importantes para mantener y mejorar la seguridad pública. Los departamentos de policía y la comunidad trabajan juntos para resolver delitos, aumentar la seguridad y fortalecer la comunidad. Para que la policía y la comunidad se comuniquen de manera efectiva, debe haber esfuerzos intencionales para generar confianza y colaborar.
Interacting with Police
Strong relationships between police and the community are crucial to maintaining and enhancing public safety. Police departments and the community work together to solve crimes, increase safety and strengthen the community. In order for the police and community to effectively communicate, there must be intentional efforts to build trust and collaborate.
Deputy Tony Ramaeker – Scheels Home Town Hero
Congratulations to Deputy Tony Ramaeker! Scheels and American Heroes Outdoors have teamed up to capture and share stories of real heroes living in local communities. Officer Tony Ramaeker is a first responder at the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and is a local metro area hero. The First Responders Foundation is proud to announce that Deputy Ramaeker was recently named a Scheels Home Town Hero and was honored at the Scheels store at Village Pointe in Omaha on March 31st.
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Mary Ann O’Brien joins the FRF Board of Directors
The First Responders Foundation is delighted to welcome Mary Ann O’Brien to its Board of Directors. Mary Ann is the CEO and Founder of OBI Creative – an internationally recognized research, strategic communications, and advertising agency with offices in Omaha, Des Moines, and San Diego.
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