Country Music Star Tim McGraw Supports Local Nonprofit on 2010 Tour  

Singer Makes Grant to TEBH through Neighbor’s Keeper Fund

Nashville, Tennessee – Country music superstar Tim McGraw is supporting nonprofits across the United States during his 2010 Southern Voice tour.  Through a partnership with Frito Lay, McGraw’s charitable fund, Neighbor’s Keeper, has identified worthy nonprofit organizations which serve children and their families in select tour cities. Grants from this partnership will be made to local charities in 34 cities via The Neighbor’s Keeper Fund.  

On February 11, the Southern Voice Tour made a stop in Omaha, Nebraska, where McGraw and Neighbor’s Keeper made a grant to Ted E. Bear Hollow, an organization addressing the needs of grieving children and their families who have lost loved ones. “Faith and I feel it’s incumbent upon us to step in where we see a need,” said McGraw. ”It’s the way we were raised. In our homes, money was tight – my mom was working two and three jobs when I was in junior high - but the supply of goodwill was endless.” In addition, tour partner Outback Steakhouse will support the Neighbor’s Keeper Fund through in-restaurant promotions and other merchandise sales. Through these corporate partnerships, McGraw’s Southern Voice tour is helping create awareness about the important work of nonprofits within select tour cities.  

  

Benson High Giving Circle Chooses Ted E. Bear Hollow

Eight students from Benson High School and their teacher, Gerred Zegelis, paid a visit to Ted E. Bear Hollow in November of 2009.  They explained that they were the Benson High School Giving Circle and they were doing site visits at agencies they had preselected as possible grant recipients.  They took the tour, watched our video and asked excellent questions.  Nancy Hemesath, Executive Director, commented that the visit was thoroughly enjoyable because the dialogue indicated that they were well prepared and understanding the  needs of grieving children and teens.

The staff of Ted E. Bear Hollow was thrilled to see the students again when they presented $1,000 to Ted E. Bear Hollow in December. Their money will sponsor three teenagers to go to our overnight Camp Hope.  In addition, two students expressed an interest in shadowing or volunteering at Ted E. Bear Hollow.

We later learned that this was a pilot project sponsored by the Omaha Venture Group who matched the students on contributions at a 4 to 1 ratio.  Omaha Venture Group is a young professionals' organization that  chose this project in order to teach philanthropy to a younger generation.  Students were invited to participate and to research and determine their priorities for giving.  Using the Wish List from the Omaha Community Foundation, they chose three agencies to visit. 

“We are always honored to be chosen to receive a grant or donation no matter what.  However, this gift that was given because the thoughtful consideration of some wonderful teenagers means a lot to us,” says Nancy Hemesath.  “These will be the board members of our future.  I hope the Benson Giving Circle will continue and be replicated around the city.”