The Westward Ho 8/8/2025 (Aug. 08, 2025)

Coming up 8/8/2025

Friday's speaker is Col Folsom with Wounded Warriors!

Colonel John Folsom, USMC (Retired), founder of Dunham House and Wounded Warriors Family Support, will share his powerful vision for honoring our nation’s most severely wounded combat veterans. Drawing from decades of service and advocacy, he’ll discuss the urgent need for long-term residential care for those with catastrophic injuries, as well as the national memorial being built at the Dunham House property to honor the 6,500+ service members who died in post-9/11 conflicts. Through personal stories, bold ideas and unwavering resolve, Colonel Folsom will challenge us to answer one critical question: "Are we honoring their sacrifice, or just remembering it – and will the future we build be worthy of that sacrifice?”

Welcome Newest Members!

Last week Omaha West Rotary gained 2 new members: Allison Bitterman & Emily Mozer!

Allison Bitterman is a dynamic fundraising and development leader with over a decade of experience spanning nonprofits, venture capital, and political campaigns. Known for driving organizational growth, Allison blends strategic vision with innovative approaches to partnership-building and revenue generation. As Senior Director of Development at Together, she leads initiatives that create sustainable funding streams, cultivate meaningful collaborations, and advance community-focused solutions to hunger and homelessness. Beyond her professional career, she enjoys traveling, theater, and spending time with family and friends.

Emily Mozer is the Director of Corporate Giving at Ronald McDonald House Charities. She moved to Nebraska in 2012 after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing. Prior to starting at RMHC in August of 2016, Emily worked in marketing and events at an architecture and construction firm, and started her own brokerage business in the food industry. Emily and her husband Josh have been married since 2013. They have two sons – Jude and Luca.

Emily is excited to join Rotary. She was introduced to the club because of the strong partnership with Ronald McDonald House. Emily hopes to build relationships and explore community service opportunities with Rotary.

Let's help our newest members feel welcome!

100%er

Congratulations to our 100%er recognized last week!

Dan Lassek - 4 years!

Stuff the Backpack with Cash

The Community Service committee's first project for our new year is "Stuff the Backpack with Cash" for Skinner Elementary.
Members of the committee will collect cash in August from Rotarians. You can also donate through the link on the newsletter/website!

https://givebutter.com/CpvrYC

A matching grant will be requested from the Foundation.
As the school year starts, the needs of Skinner Elementary will be determined and items purchased.
Last year we bought winter coats, hats and gloves.
Thanks for your generosity!

Upcoming Event, Bloody Mary Jazzfest, Nov 4

We invite you to be a part of the annual BLOODY MARY FEST! This fundraising event brought to you by The Rotary Club of Omaha West and Ronald McDonald House Charities, will be held on Sunday, September 28th, 2025, from 11am to 2pm at Werner Park (12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion). This is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Omaha West Rotary Club that brings local restaurants and bars together to show off their best recipes and designs of everyone’s favorite Sunday Funday drink! The restaurants and bars will compete in different categories for prize money that will be judged by the guests of the event.

While sampling bloody marys, guests will be entertained by a live band playing incredible music and vying for their chances to win prizes in our raffles! Many thanks and much appreciation to the local businesses and generous Rotarians who donated to the raffle prizes!

Raffle tickets are available for online purchase through September 27th, and then will only be available on-site during the event.

https://givebutter.com/BloodyMaryFest2025?s=TIC6zG

PRICING:

EVENT TICKET: $50.00

RAFFLE: 5 FOR $20.00 OR 30 FOR $100.00

SPONSORSHIP: $1000.00 (TO INCLUDE 10 TICKETS, PRE-EVENT PROMOTION, AND STAGE RECOGNITION ON EVENT DAY!)