From right, Jody and Larry Gipe, Carol Halley, TinaMaria Fernandez, Monty McNeil, Brenda Aufdenkamp and Gene Nelson were among the honorees at the Make A Difference award on Wednesday.

By Mark Young

Gene Nelson is a volunteer at the Lincoln County Gun Club for children in grades 6-12.  Gene is described as “honest, patient and a person of integrity and high moral standards.”  Gene has spent many countless hours volunteering his time so the youth can experience trap shooting.  Gene has shown dedication to the youth by offering support and encouragement to everyone.  Gene has been known to take a “new shooter” out to the gun club to shoot a few rounds before the other kids show up to make sure they are comfortable.  Gene has also provided kids with shells, paid for rounds of trap, and other items that were necessary out of his own pocket.  Gene is taking the time to teach these kids leadership, respect for others property, teamwork and most of all respect for each other.  Wendy Thompson writes “I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this award.  Gene is truly making a difference in the lives of these children every day!”

Inv. Monte McNeil has been with the North Platte Police Dept. since 1995.  He was promoted to investigator in April 2000 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division.  Chief Swain and Lt. Thompson write “Inv. McNeil is as devoted, caring, hardworking officer always going the extra step especially when children are involved”.  Inv. McNeil did an outstanding job as the police departments DARE officer.  Inv. McNeil has worked countless physical and sexual abuse cases.  He has been a part of some of the most heinous and somber crime scenes involving children.  Inv. McNeil always puts children first.  Inv. McNeil is a trained forensic interviewer and works the majority of the department’s child abuse cases and spends a lot of time at the Bridge of Hope CAC interviewing victims of child abuse.  He is always the first to volunteer to start working a case when intakes are received from the Department of Health and Human Services.

In a second nomination for Inv. McNeil, Jeanie Gilbert states that “he literally goes to bat for kids that have been hurt by others and works to make sure these children will be safe.”  Inv. McNeil is described as that special kind of person that is needed to work with victims of child abuse.  Gilbert states “he is truly making a difference in the lives of children.”

Larry and Jody Gipe have been foster parents since 1995.  Over 16 years they became guardians for five youth and adoptive parents for three children.  They have also opened their home to countless youth in need of a temporary home.   Kim Seelmeyer writes that “of the many things that I admire about Larry and Jody is the fact that the children in their home are treated as their own.  Larry and Jody see no differences in any of the children in their home and accept and love each child for the uniqueness they bring to the family.”  The Gipes also accept the children’s biological family into their home.  They communicate openly with the biological parents, invite them to special occasions and share their lives with them.  Through sharing their positive experiences they have motivated others to become foster parents.

TinaMaria Fernandez is an ongoing worker for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  TinaMaria’s primary responsibility is working with children and families where there has been a situation where abuse or neglect is present and intervention is required to maintain safety for the child or children.  Kim Seelmeyer writes that TinaMaria is very passionate about her role in children and families lives and strives to ensure all is being done to provide children with a safe and nurturing home.  TinaMaria is highly active in the lives of the children she works with.  She attends many school meetings and doctors’ appointments, advocating for those youth, especially those with special needs to make sure they are getting the appropriate services to ensure their success in life.  TinaMaria is commended for working hard to take a special interest in the individual likes and talents of each of the youth she works with.  One foster parent stated of TinaMaria: “We appreciate her honesty and straight-forward approach.  TinaMaria takes great care to keep everything up to date and organized, no last minute scrambles or missing files at critical moments!  She takes the time to answer or phone and doesn’t forget to call you back or follow up on your needs.”  Another foster parents states, “She was always there to provide any help, advice or encouragement.   I know that the progress my foster child had made is greatly due to TinaMaria and the personal and emotional energy she has put into this case.  It is my belief that TinaMaria has played one of the most vital roles in saving and changing the life of my foster child.  For that I will be eternally grateful.”   

Carol Halley is a Para Educator for McDonald School, works as a coordinator for the Kids Klub Program at McDonald School and assists with the Miss Nebraska Little Sister’s Program.  Carol has a way with children that gets them to focus on the task at hand.  She has a clear, direct but soft response to the children so they know they are cared about.  Carol supports the education process in the school and values the potential for what and who kids are to become as adults.  Carol has been involved with the Miss Nebraska Little Sister’s program for a number of years.  She promotes the fun and the details of the organization.  Carol is a valuable team player no matter what the project.  Carol believes in children’s potential and supports teachers, parents and children.  Jerrilyn Crankshaw writes, “I am thankful to have a positive person in my child’s life that I can count on as a person of character, integrity and fun.”

Brenda Aufdenkamp is a staff educator at the UNL Extension Office and is responsible for the entire 4-H program.  Brenda loves to teach children and to give them the necessary life skills to be successful as they grow into young adults.  She has been instrumental in putting together the after school programs for children, that have included making crafts to learning about planting seeds and much more.  Brenda organizes the farm safety day for area 3^rd graders, the Citizens Washington Focus trip every 3 years for area teens, Lincoln County Fair, Youth Snoop Crew and the Teen Fashion Board.  Brenda was responsible for advocating having youth area members on the 4-H Council Board.  She works with children of all ages and she loves teaching them.  Brenda is also the clothing superintendent for the Nebraska State Fair.  Brenda has a big heart and is very passionate about the work she does and the youth she serves.  One child she worked with said, “she is willing and patient when teaching me new things and she helps me to understand it on my level.”  Another child said, “she is always teaching me life lessons that will go with me though my life.” 

Honoring those who make a difference

By Mark Young