GALA 2026 is a fundraising event for the communities of Cass and Sarpy counties.

Saturday, January 17, 2026
6:00 p.m. – Social Hour
7:00 p.m. – Dinner & Program

The Astro Theater – LaVista
8302 City Centre Drive

Reflection Award Recipients
Tonee & Tim Gay

Honorary Chairs
Karla Rupiper & Bob O’Neal

Cocktail Attire

Click here to register as a guest or sponsor

Each year, MCF honors individuals who have contributed significantly to Cass and Sarpy counties, and the mission of the Foundation. The 2026 Reflection Award recipients are Tonee and Tim Gay for their visionary community leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and exceptional stewardship which have strengthened the community they have long served with dedication and care.

Tim Gay earned a BS in Business Administration from UNL. His career includes roles as a grain merchandiser, financial advisor, bank vice president, and senior advisor with Husch Blackwell. He served on the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners (1995–2006), in the Nebraska Legislature for District 14 (2006–2011), and on the OPPD Board (2013–2020).

Tim has served on numerous boards, including the Sarpy County Chamber, St. Columbkille Finance Committee, Sarpy-Cass Public Health, and the Papillion LaVista Community Schools Foundation. He is President of Catalyst Public Affairs, which he founded in 2018 and now represents more than 20 organizations. Tonee Gay earned a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from UNL. She became Executive Director of MCF in 2005, led its transition to a public charity in 2009, created its annual match program, and launched the Coronavirus Response Fund in 2020 to support nonprofits in Sarpy and Cass counties.

Tonee also has served on many boards and committees, including Food Bank for the Heartland Foodies, Durham Museum On Track Guild, Papillion Arts Foundation, Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball, Papillion 150, Sarpy Community YMCA, Papillion Community Foundation, St. Columbkille Parish Council, Papillion LaVista Schools Foundation, and the Nebraska Judicial Nominating Commission. She joined Catalyst in 2022 as Finance Manager and Community Relations lead.

Honorary Chairs for the event are Karla Rupiper and Bob O’Neal. Karla earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University and Central Michigan University, and graduated from the Creighton School of Law in 1983. She served as a licensed judicial law clerk with the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Court in Omaha between 1984-1992. After teaching law at the College of Saint Mary, and working at the law firm of Koley Jessen P.C., she was appointed as the first full-time City Attorney for the City of Papillion in 2011, a position she held until her retirement in August of 2019.

Bob was raised in Papillion, graduating from Papillion La Vista High School before receiving his B.A. and law degrees from the UNL. After stints as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office, and private practice, he was appointed to the bench as a Sarpy County Juvenile Court Judge, where he served in both Sarpy and Otoe Counties for 26 years.

They have both strengthened their community outside of work through service on nonprofit boards, dedication to civic organizations, and volunteer work.