October 31, 2008
Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
One of the best parts of my job as Governor is seeing the many ways the people of our state come together to help other Nebraskans. I wanted to take time this week to acknowledge the contributions of many volunteers who make a difference in our state.
One of the best examples is the Nebraska Dental Association’s annual Mission of Mercy. This event recruits dental professionals from around the state to provide free dental care for residents of one Nebraska community each year.
For four years now, the Mission of Mercy has leveraged the professional training of Nebraska’s dental community and their willingness to give back in order to provide more than $500,000 annually in free care to those who don’t have dental coverage or can’t afford regular check-ups.
The clinic takes over a community event center, filling it with portable dental chairs, work stations and the equipment needed for 100 to 200 dentists, dental assistants and oral surgeons to see patients. They are joined by dozens of office staff, hygienists, lab technicians, translators, and public health staff, as well as hundreds of local volunteers.
For two days, this small army provides free check-ups, teeth cleanings, sealants, cavity fillings and other procedures, along with dental health education, to low-income individuals, families and children.
I visited with volunteers during the first Mission of Mercy in North Platte. I have seen this event grow over the years with clinics in Grand Island and Norfolk. This year’s event was held in Mitchell in western Nebraska, where a local service club made breakfast for people waiting in line and community groups provided childcare for parents.
Nebraska’s Mission of Mercy is funded by the Nebraska Dental Association, the Nebraska Dental Foundation and local organizations and individuals who contribute to the cause. It’s just one example of Nebraskans using their professional training to help others in their community.
Another volunteer effort is organized by the Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464 of Omaha. Their “Heat’s On” event brings service technicians together to check heating units and smoke detectors, replace filters and other basic maintenance for low-income elderly and disabled residents.
This annual volunteer project began in Omaha more than 20 years ago. Ten years ago it expanded into another weekend to help residents in our capital city. This was the third year I’d joined the group for a breakfast before heading out their service calls for Lincoln households.
These two events are outstanding examples of the kind of assistance so many professional and volunteer groups provide in our state each year. There are countless others in communities all across Nebraska. The willingness to reach out and help other is one thing that makes Nebraska such a special place to live.
