The holiday season has been filled with gratitude and joy at Willard Community Center, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mystic Rhoads Productions and We Can Do This - Lincoln for their recent toy drive donation. Their support is part of an outpouring of kindness that has truly overwhelmed us, in the very best way.

The steady stream of donations we continue to receive will help ensure families feel supported and children experience the excitement and magic of the holidays. Each gift represents care, compassion, and a commitment to lifting up our neighbors during this special time of year.

We are deeply thankful to all who have contributed to making this season brighter for the families we serve. Your generosity reminds us of the power of community and the difference we can make together.

Willard was filled with laughter, creativity, and the sweet smell of sugar as our Early Explorers preschool and pre-k students took part in a special intergenerational activity. We were thrilled to welcome our new friends from Country House Residence, along with a few of our dedicated bingo participants, to help the children decorate gingerbread houses.

As frosting was spread and candy carefully placed, meaningful connections formed across generations. These shared moments gave children the chance to create alongside caring adults, while our older participants enjoyed the joy and energy that comes from spending time with young learners. The room was filled with conversation, smiles, and a sense of togetherness that truly reflects the heart of Willard.

We are grateful to Country House Residence and our bingo players for joining us and helping create lasting memories for our Early Explorers. Intergenerational experiences like this remind us that friendship has no age limit, and that some of the sweetest moments happen when generations come together.

Willard Community Center is incredibly grateful to the employees of Lincoln Industries for their outstanding donation drive in support of the children and families we serve. Their generosity went far beyond toys. Thanks to their efforts, Willard received a wide variety of items, including clothing, speakers, body care products, and other thoughtful essentials that will make a meaningful impact across our programs.

These donations will help support families during the holiday season and beyond, ensuring children feel cared for and families feel supported. The thoughtfulness behind each item reflects the strong community spirit and compassion demonstrated by the Lincoln Industries team.

We are thankful for partners like Lincoln Industries who continue to show up for our community in meaningful ways. Their generosity helps Willard Community Center remain a place where individuals and families can find support, connection, and care.

Willard Community Center recently wrapped up a heartwarming and enriching session of the Prints & Memories class, a Creative Aging through the Arts Program (CAAP) made possible through generous support from the Nebraska Arts Council. This class brought together an inspiring group of lifelong learners whose stories, creativity, and enthusiasm made each session truly special.

Led by printmaking artist Liz Shea-McCoy, participants explored a variety of printmaking techniques while sharing memories, building friendships, and discovering new avenues for artistic expression. The room was filled with laughter, curiosity, and the joy that comes from learning something new at any age.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Nebraska Arts Council for awarding Willard this CAAP grant and making this experience possible. Their investment in creative aging programs helps ensure that older adults have meaningful opportunities to grow, connect, and express themselves through the arts.

Thank you again to the Nebraska Arts Council and to all the remarkable participants who made the Prints & Memories class such a memorable part of our fall programming. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for future Creative Aging opportunities at Willard!

The holiday season was made brighter for Lakeview Community Learning Center families thanks to the generosity of Digitech Systems, LLC. Their thoughtful toy donation will help bring joy, excitement, and meaningful holiday moments to children and families in our program this Christmas.

Because of Digitech Systems’ support, children will be able to experience the magic of the season, while families feel encouraged and cared for during a time that can be both joyful and challenging. Acts of generosity like this help strengthen our community and ensure families know they are supported beyond the classroom.

Willard Community Center is grateful for partners like DigiTech Systems, LLC, who step forward during the holidays to make a lasting difference. Their kindness reflects the spirit of the season and the power of community working together.

Willard Community Center is grateful to Chris, Bryan, and Sam for spending an afternoon volunteering their time and talents to help paint our newly designated adult program space.

Thanks to their hard work, this area is already brighter, more welcoming, and one step closer to being fully ready for programming that supports connection, creativity, and lifelong learning for the adults and seniors we serve. Volunteer efforts like this play a vital role in helping us create environments where community members feel comfortable, included, and valued.

We are incredibly thankful not only for the physical transformation of the space but also for the generosity and spirit of service shown throughout the day. Giving time and energy to projects like this makes a meaningful difference and helps bring our vision for expanded adult programming to life.

Thank you to Chris, Bryan, and Sam for partnering with Willard Community Center and supporting our mission. We look forward to the impact this refreshed space will have on our adult programs and the many individuals who will gather there in the months ahead.

Lakeview Family Game Night was a wonderful evening of connection, laughter, and fun, welcoming more than 200 community members to gather and play together. Families and children filled the space, enjoying a variety of games and activities that created an energetic and joyful atmosphere throughout the night.

The event was made even more special by the support of volunteers from Lincoln Southwest High School. These students generously donated toys for children in attendance, adding an extra element of excitement and ensuring many young participants went home with smiles on their faces. Their kindness and willingness to give back exemplified the strong community spirit that makes events like this possible.

Lakeview Family Game Night highlighted the importance of bringing families together in a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can connect and have fun. We are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success, and we look forward to hosting more opportunities for families to gather, play, and build lasting memories together.

We’re kicking off the new year with great company, warm conversation, and a delicious meal together!

📅 Wednesday, January 14, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Willard Community Center - 2nd floor South Room (elevator available)

Willard will be providing the main dish: lasagna.
Guests are welcome to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

Let’s start 2026 with friendship, laughter, and a table full of good food. We hope to see you there!

We were delighted to welcome so many families to our Breakfast with a Buddy event this morning. The building was filled with smiles, conversations, and meaningful moments as children and their special guests enjoyed breakfast together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the morning so memorable. We are grateful for the time you shared with us and hope the experience was as enjoyable for you as it was for our Early Explorers team.

Events like this reflect the heart of our community: connection, belonging, and celebrating the little moments that matter most. We can’t wait to host more opportunities for families to gather and grow with us.

Willard Community Center is honored to announce that we have received an additional $5,455 year-end contribution from the General Dynamics ECAC Lincoln Chapter. This unexpected and generous gift comes at a pivotal time, supporting our continued efforts to provide high-quality early childhood education, enriching youth programs, and meaningful social opportunities for aging adults.

The ECAC Lincoln Chapter is a valued supporter of Willard, and their ongoing commitment to strengthening our community is deeply appreciated. This year-end gift will directly enhance our ability to serve individuals and families across all generations, helping us continue offering programs that foster connection, learning, and belonging.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the General Dynamics ECAC Lincoln Chapter for their generosity and partnership. Their support plays an important role in ensuring Willard remains a welcoming and supportive space for everyone who walks through our doors.