Giving Hearts

It all started as a result of a Goodfellows article in the Omaha World Herald.  This story featured the Dupree family who were really struggling to not just make ends meet, but to simply survive.  It described a family that just two years prior was healthy, owned a home and a savings account and had good jobs. Then a series of events that included the loss of jobs, their daughter being diagnosed with cancer, heart attacks, and with the savings completely gone, a home foreclosure. 

This story prompted Whitney Green, Assisted Living at Immanuel Courtyard Cook to take action.  In true Whitney fashion, she placed flyers and copies of the story in the common areas and break rooms throughout Immanuel Courtyard and the Home Office.  The note read, “This family’s situation touched my heart and I want to help them and I am taking donations—anything will help out.  Thank-you, Ms. Whitney”.   A simple note was all it took and a genuine Immanuel Courtyard collection was underway. On December 17th, Whitney delivered the collection of several bags of groceries and a monetary donation of over $100 to a very grateful Dupree family. Whitney stated, “I was really overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.  Everyone at the Courtyard trusted me with their donations and that made me feel great.” She went on to say, “I really appreciate the support this program has gotten”.  Although Whitney downplays her roll in the success of the Giving Hearts program by giving credit to her co-workers, it is evident how much this program is a part of her.  It is evident by the way her eyes light up when she speaks about it.

What was started by touching one person’s heart has grown into an entire program to help those in need.   The Courtyard Giving Hearts program has been created by organizer, Whitney Green and her assistants, Linda Huey, Teresa Redd and Pam Johnson to collect donations and personal items throughout the year.  Their brochure reads, “Why Wait Until Christmas?” The program requests staff to donate their loose change into a donation box located in the Courtyard’s break room, and encourages visits to the clearance racks when shopping for clothing and toiletries.  Special clothing and toiletry donation boxes are going up throughout the Immanuel Courtyard and Immanuel Village campus. The program will also include a special food donation drive from September through December. 

Many of you may not know Whitney, but she is someone you would be honored to call your friend.  “Whitney exemplifies the CHRIST promises daily here at Immanuel Courtyard.  Her twenty years of service to this organization is commendable and is our community’s blessing.  Giving Hearts is a program that she has helped to create that takes the CHRIST promises to the greater Omaha community.  She is a great asset to Immanuel Courtyard and I look forward to watching this program blossom and grow”, said John Croghan, Immanuel Courtyard Administrator.

If you have any questions about the program or would like to find out how you can help the Giving Hearts program, please call Whitney Green at 402-829-2907.