Big Give Gage opens event 2024

The Gage County Foundation and the Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation have been partnering since 2019 to offer a 24-hour fundraiser.

The goal of this community-wide fundraiser is to connect the passion and generosity of Gage County supporters with local nonprofits. 89 organizations are registered for this year’s event.

Foundation Board Member Terry Doyle welcomed guests and recognized local elected officials, board members and the new Gage County Foundation Executive Director, Dee Enevoldsen.

She moved to Beatrice from Grand Island with her husband and family about four years ago.

“My goal in moving here was to be part of something big, to play an important role in the community and to make a difference,” she said. “I feel blessed and honored to hold this position.”

Enevoldsen thanked the sponsors of the event.

Doyle said the event began in 2019 with 46 nonprofits. The first year raised $166,800. Last year, it raised $390,200. Over the five years, a total of $1,540,000 was raised.

“This has a huge impact on communities,” he said.

He introduced Rob Schafer as a sponsor of the kickoff event. He is a partner in the law firm of Smith, Schafer and Davis and a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. He has served in the military for over 40 years and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is the owner of Premiere Chevrolet in Beatrice.

Schafer said the University of Nebraska Foundation has received a record number of donations this year.

He spoke briefly about the Cattleman’s Ball, hosted by Bev and Terry Acton in Gage County in June 2025. The event raises money for cancer research.

Schafer introduced Troy Dannen, athletic director at the University of Nebraska.

“He grew up in Iowa,” he said. “If you didn’t know better, you’d think he grew up in Gage County,” he said. “We’re lucky to have him.”

Dannen lived in New Orleans and worked at Tulane University after beginning his career in Northern Iowa. He worked briefly at the University of Washington before moving to Nebraska.

“The reason for coming back to the Midwest is this,” he said. “Everyone looks out for each other and cares about each other, and we wanted the kids to grow up in that environment. When you leave the Midwest, you realize what you’re missing.”

Dannen drew a comparison between Big Give Gage and the University of Nebraska’s athletics.

“I think we are judged by whether we give someone else the opportunity to succeed. We all do the same thing,” he said.

He realized that there is no other place like Nebraska.

“When people are doing badly, we help them up. When people are doing well, we help them up even higher. We all rely on each other,” he said.

Dannen said the community can be proud of the funds raised during the Big Give Gage.

He spoke about athletics in Nebraska and answered questions.

Big Give Gage runs from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on September 12. Organizers encourage you to donate online the day of the event. In addition, there will be an in-person collection point at the Vintage Venue, 620 Court St., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All donations collected will be used on-site by the nonprofits.

For more information, visit biggivegage.org.