Neighbors Foundation Receives

                         2022 Chamber of Commerce

                 Civic Organization of the Year Award 

Message from David Conboy President of the Foundation
 

Good Evening - I am Dave Conboy, and on behalf of the Neighbors Foundation, I’d like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for thinking of us and recognizing our organization.  

We gratefully accept this award, not for ourselves, but on behalf of all those who selflessly provide the resources that allow us to assist our fellow Islanders.

We receive tremendous, and truly essential support from individual Island residents, religious and civic organizations, businesses – both large and small - many present here tonight, and Grand Island Schools.

And when times are tough, like during COVID, Islanders always generously and benevolently rise to the occasion.  Truly inspiring and bountiful charitable assistance from the wonderful people of Grand Island.

I’d like to recognize the Board of Directors for the Neighbors Foundation who make working together, fulfilling, rewarding – and importantly– enjoyable and even fun.  An essential characteristic to sustain any organization, particularly one like ours that relies solely on volunteers to accomplish its mission.  

Two quotes - both from the Bible - come to mind as I think of Islanders in general – and certainly my fellow Board members.

And those two quotes are:

“Love thy neighbor” unconditionally, and “To whom much is given much is expected”. We have been given so much and are certainly deeply and richly blessed on Grand Island.

These concepts guide our deliberations and serve to inform and influence our collective conscience as we make decisions as a Board.

So thank you to all on our Board of Directors and all our volunteers, represented by those present here tonight: Larry Slovick, Sally and Dave Goris, Beth Boron, Arlene Larry, and Annie Carlson.

And it is certainly appropriate to recognize and honor Hank Kammerer, who was one of the Island leaders present and advocating for the creation of the Neighbors Foundation 50 years ago.  Hank continues to be an active member helping us to stay true to our altruistic roots, even as we adapt and modernize to ensure we remain relevant to this community over the next 50+ years.

Finally we’d like to thank the most important people associated with the Neighbors Foundation. Our clients - those Residents of Grand Island who we are so very privileged to serve.

We thank them for having the courage to call us. We thank them for trusting us to confidentially and compassionately provide non-judgmental assistance to them when they find themselves at a challenging time in their lives. Perhaps even the Most challenging time in their lives.

After all, we can all relate to needing assistance, can’t we? 

I know I can.

Because each one of us has found ourselves in need at one time or another. Whether requiring financial, physical, or emotional help - or any other way in which a fundamental need may manifest itself.

When we find ourselves in these circumstances, it can be scary. And we look to and rely on each other, Family and Friends for kindness and assistance. And on this Island community, we are fortunate to always be there for each other. Ready to assist. Ready to help each other - individually and collectively.

So I speak for the entire Board when I say how very thankful we are for the privilege to serve the residents of this wonderful community and how profoundly grateful we are for the opportunity to continue to work together with the loving and generous people of Grand Island to fulfill our Neighbors Foundation motto of “Neighbors helping Neighbors”.

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Thanks for all you do.  On to the next 50 year - together!  :-)

Go Bills!

Best - Dave