Midlands Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Bill and Evonne Williams will receive the Reflection Award at the organization’s 2015 Reflection Ball on Jan. 17, 2015, at the Embassy Suites in LaVista. Each year Midlands Community Foundation honors an individual or individuals who have contributed significantly to Sarpy and Cass counties and the mission of the Foundation with its Reflection Award.
Bill Williams is from Red Oak, Iowa. He holds a BS degree in Education from Dakota State University. Evonne is from Byron, Nebraska. She holds a BS degree in nonprofit management from Bellevue University. Bill has been a salesman most of his career, following five years of teaching high school history and coaching in Nebraska. Evonne has 16 years of experience in the insurance industry, followed by 20 years as an Executive Director at Make-A-Wish and Strategic Air & Space Museum.
The Williams’ founded Patriotic Productions, an organization dedicated to honoring our military, including those who have died, while serving the United States of America. In 2010, Bill and Evonne created an exhibit called “Remembering Our Fallen” which includes photos of the Fallen who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. It has been in 11 states, each depicting photos from the respective state it is visiting. Their hope is to create exhibits for all 50 states by Memorial Day in 2016.
Bill and Evonne also organized, with $1.3 million in donations, Honor Flights that took 1,500 World War II veterans from Nebraska to monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. in 2008 and 2009. After raising an additional $500,000, they completed two more trips for 600 Korean veterans in 2013 and 2014.
In addition, Bill and Evonne developed a speaker series including a Leadership Summit for high school students in Nebraska where they hear from leaders, heroes and role models.
The Williams’ were married in 1980. They do not come from military families, nor are they veterans themselves; however all four of their sons serve or have served in the military.
“We are honored to present Bill and Evonne Williams with our Reflection Award at our 2015 Ball for their dedication to military veterans and their families, always honoring, remembering and educating,” said Tonee Gay, Executive Director.
The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement and service. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars to many worthy organizations with an emphasis toward prevention and education in the areas of health, art, culture, community, education, economic development and human services.
For more information, contact: Diane Knicky, Director of Operations and Public Relations 402-991-8027
