Willard Community Center invites our community members to join us for our next Senior Potluck on Wednesday, May 21, at 11:00 AM. This month’s featured main dish is a timeless favorite, Sloppy Joes!
These monthly potlucks are a great opportunity to gather, share a meal, and enjoy one another’s company. Whether you're a regular or attending for the first time, everyone is welcome.
Come for the food, stay for the conversation, and help us continue building a vibrant and connected community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Willard Community Center extends a heartfelt thank you to To the Brim Communities for their generous donation of 33 hamburgers and all the fixings. Their thoughtful contribution helps fuel our programs and brings smiles to our community.
Whether it’s through food, time, or financial support, donations like these help us continue providing meaningful programs and events for children, families, and older adults in our neighborhood. To the Brim Communities’ kindness reflects the spirit of connection and care that we strive to build every day at Willard.
Thank you for helping us serve and support our neighbors, one burger at a time!
At Willard Community Center, we believe in the power of community. Every child who learns and grows in our early education classrooms, every youth who finds connection in our after-school programs, and every older adult who laughs and engages in our senior activities is part of something bigger, a team.
We’re not just a center. We’re Team Willard.
And thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re able to provide meaningful programs across every generation.
When you give to Willard, you're not just making a donation, you're joining a team of neighbors, families, educators, and supporters working together to create a stronger, more connected community. Your support helps us offer:
High-quality early childhood education that prepares preschool and pre-k children for success in school and life
Before- and after-school programs that provide enrichment, homework help, and a safe place for students at Lakeview and Roper Elementary
Full-day summer camps for kindergarten through 8th grade that keep kids engaged, active, and learning
Senior wellness programs that reduce isolation and support healthy aging through fitness, social activities, and educational opportunities
Essential support services like our Free Blessings Box Pantry and partnerships like the Lincoln Fresh Food Truck and Community Garden
Every program at Willard is rooted in connection, compassion, and care. And none of it would be possible without people like you, our teammates.
Whether you're giving $10 or $1,000, your gift directly supports the daily work of building relationships, creating opportunity, and lifting up every person who walks through our doors.
Because Willard thrives when we all play our part. And you make our team complete.
Something exciting is coming to the Schroder Park Wellness Campus this summer! We’re thrilled to announce the brand-new Schroder Park Summer Concert Series, a free outdoor music event happening on the 4th Wednesday of each month from May through September, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
This new series brings an opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to gather on the campus lawn and enjoy live performances from a variety of musical backgrounds. Whether you love jazz, folk, blues, pop, or world music, each concert will feature a unique artist or band to keep your summer evenings lively and unforgettable.
The Summer Concert Series was created to promote wellness, celebrate local talent, and build community in a fun and welcoming outdoor setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and settle in for an evening of music and connection in the heart of the neighborhood.
These concerts are free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome!
2025 Summer Concert Dates:
Wednesday, May 28
Wednesday, June 25
Wednesday, July 23
Wednesday, August 27
Wednesday, September 24
Stay tuned as we announce our featured performers and other exciting additions to each concert night. We can’t wait to see you at Schroder Park this summer!
For more information or to get involved, contact Hannah Davis, Campus Outreach Coordinator 402-327-1594 or hdavis@mourninghope.org
Willard Community Center extends a heartfelt thank-you to the Northeast YMCA for their generous donation of swimwear. We were thrilled to receive 34 swim trunks and 32 swimsuits in a variety of sizes, just in time to help our kids get summer-ready!
This donation ensures that more children in our programs can participate confidently in water activities and beat the summer heat while staying safe and comfortable. Access to appropriate swim gear not only supports fun, active play but also helps us promote health, inclusion, and confidence in our youth.
We’re incredibly grateful for community partners like the Northeast YMCA, who continue to make a lasting impact on the families we serve.
Summer can’t come soon enough!
We’re so happy to share that Cindy’s surgery went well, and she is already on the road to recovery. Her follow-up MRI showed that the surgeons were able to remove the entire tumor, an incredible outcome!
Cindy is now back home and continuing to rest and heal, but she still needs our support. We’ve created a MealTrain to help provide her with meals during this time.
You can view the MealTrain here: MealTrain for Cindy
Meal donations can be dropped off at Willard Community Center during our regular business hours, and a member of our administrative team will deliver them to Cindy.
Thank you for continuing to lift her up with your kindness and care. 💛
On Saturday, May 4, the Schroder Park Wellness Campus came alive with laughter, movement, and community connection during the Step into Spring event. From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, more than 130 individuals gathered to celebrate the season with outdoor activities, wellness resources, and family fun.
The event, hosted on the beautiful Schroder Park grounds, offered families a chance to get moving and enjoy the sunshine with a variety of engaging activities. From fitness stations and games to interactive booths and giveaways, there was something for every age to enjoy.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteers who generously gave their time to make the afternoon a success. Your dedication and energy helped create a welcoming space for everyone to come together, connect, and celebrate healthy living.
And to all the families who joined us, thank you for stepping into spring with us! Your presence made the event joyful and vibrant. We’re grateful to be part of a community that values wellness, togetherness, and fun.
We can’t wait to see you at our next community event!
We’re celebrating the incredible achievements of the Lakeview CLC boys and girls basketball teams after a strong showing in last week’s tournament! Both teams demonstrated outstanding skill, determination, and school spirit throughout the competition.
The Lakeview CLC boys team played with heart and perseverance, earning 4th place after a series of tough match ups. Their teamwork and positive attitude made the Lakeview community proud.
The Lakeview CLC girls team brought home an impressive 1st place finish, showcasing their hard work, sharp skills, and unity on the court. Their victory reflects the dedication and effort they’ve put into practice and play all season long.
We are so proud of all our student-athletes for representing Lakeview with integrity, sportsmanship, and pride. Thank you to our coaches, families, and supporters who helped make this season a success.
Way to go, Seagulls! 🦅💙
Support Cindy Anchor’s Road to Recovery
My name is Sarah Reinke, and I am the Executive Director at Willard Community Center. Today, I am reaching out to ask for your support, compassion, and generosity for one of our own.
In March, our beloved Pre-k teacher, Cindy Anchor, received the devastating news that she has a brain tumor. Cindy is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on May 2 to remove as much of the tumor from her brainstem as possible. Her recovery will involve a minimum of six weeks of rest and rehabilitation, with the potential for temporary or even permanent neurological challenges.
Cindy has been part of the Willard family since February 2022, serving in a variety of roles, including reception, before-school programming at Roper, preschool teaching assistant, and, most recently, our lead Pre-k teacher. She holds a graduate degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and brings a unique, science-focused energy to her classroom, inspiring her students with daily lessons filled with curiosity and wonder.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Cindy has traveled and lived across the country through her research work and studies. She is an avid nature lover who enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Rex and River, whether it’s camping, hiking, or simply being in the fresh air.
Cindy means so much to the children, families, and staff at Willard. Now, during this difficult and uncertain time, we want to be there for her. Our goal is to ease some of the financial burdens associated with surgery, recovery, and time away from work, allowing Cindy to focus entirely on healing and regaining her strength.
If you are able, we ask you to open your heart and contribute whatever you can. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in supporting Cindy on her journey.
In addition, we plan to organize a Meal Train following her surgery, once we have a better understanding of her post-surgical needs and any dietary restrictions.
Thank you for standing with Cindy. Your kindness, prayers, and support mean more than words can express.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sarah Reinke
Executive Director, Willard Community Center
In a heartwarming celebration of Global Youth Service Day, students from the Lakeview Community Learning Center and Roper After-School Programs came together for a project that blended compassion, creativity, and community service.
The event featured a special visit from Miss Sydney and her four-legged companion Daisy, representing the Capital Humane Society (CHS). Sydney shared insights into the organization’s vital role in rescuing, caring for, and re-homing animals throughout the region. Her stories struck a chord with the students, who were inspired to make a difference for their furry neighbors in need.
Fueled by enthusiasm and a sense of purpose, the students dove into their hands-on service project: crafting soft, colorful tie-blankets for the animals awaiting adoption at the shelter. These handmade gifts will provide much-needed comfort and warmth to the shelter pets while they await their forever homes.
This project was made possible thanks to generous support from Youth Service America (YSA) and The Hershey Company, who funded the materials and made this day of service and learning a reality.
As the students continue to work on completing the blankets, the excitement is growing for the day they get delivered to CHS, a moment that promises to be as rewarding for the students as it will be for the animals.
Global Youth Service Day is all about empowering young people to make meaningful contributions to their communities, and thanks to their dedication and the support of caring partners, the students at Lakeview and Roper did just that—one blanket at a time.
