We are incredibly grateful to the Matzner family for their generous end-of-the-year donation of toys and games to Willard Community Center.

This massive donation will bring joy, laughter, and meaningful moments to children across our programs. From games that encourage connection to toys that spark imagination, their generosity will have a lasting impact.

Support like this is a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring and giving community. The Matzner family’s thoughtfulness helps ensure that children have opportunities to learn, play, and create positive memories together.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Matzner family for making such a difference in the lives of those we serve. Their kindness truly embodies the spirit of community that makes Willard a place where everyone belongs.

Willard Community Center is excited to welcome the community to Food Is Medicine, a two-part cooking demonstration series designed to show how healthy, affordable meals can support overall wellness. These interactive demonstrations will take place on Thursdays, January 8 and January 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Willard Community Center, located at 1245 S. Folsom Street in Lincoln.

Participants will enjoy cooking demonstrations led by award-winning executive chef Nazim Khan, who will share practical tips for preparing nourishing meals at home. Each session will feature a different recipe, including Cajun Shrimp and Sorghum Risotto on January 8 and Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce on January 15. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample the featured dish and enter for a chance to win a recipe book.

Chef Nazim Khan brings decades of culinary experience to this series. He began his career as a sushi chef in 1997 and has worked in renowned kitchens, including the New York Marriott Marquis, Long Island Marriott, and the New York Battery Park Ritz-Carlton. He has also served as an educator and chef for Virginia Tech. Today, Chef Nazim is the executive chef for Bryan Health, where he has developed multiple popular plant-based protein dishes for both retail and patient meal services.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chef Nazim is deeply committed to community wellness. He regularly shares his passion for healthy, locally sourced food through community events and culinary demonstrations that encourage people to nourish both body and spirit. In his free time, he serves meals to local firefighters, honoring those who lost their lives on September 11.

Chef Nazim’s work has earned national and regional recognition. He was named one of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice award winners in 2016, achieved Worldchefs Certified Master Chef status in 2019, and received the Spotlight Award in 2024 from the Association for Healthcare Foodservice. He is also a proud member of the Nebraska Food Council.

Food Is Medicine is offered through a community partnership between Bryan Health and Willard Community Center. We invite community members to join us for these engaging, educational sessions that highlight how good food can be a powerful tool for better health.

The holiday season has been filled with gratitude and joy at Willard Community Center, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community partners. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mystic Rhoads Productions and We Can Do This - Lincoln for their recent toy drive donation. Their support is part of an outpouring of kindness that has truly overwhelmed us, in the very best way.

The steady stream of donations we continue to receive will help ensure families feel supported and children experience the excitement and magic of the holidays. Each gift represents care, compassion, and a commitment to lifting up our neighbors during this special time of year.

We are deeply thankful to all who have contributed to making this season brighter for the families we serve. Your generosity reminds us of the power of community and the difference we can make together.

Willard was filled with laughter, creativity, and the sweet smell of sugar as our Early Explorers preschool and pre-k students took part in a special intergenerational activity. We were thrilled to welcome our new friends from Country House Residence, along with a few of our dedicated bingo participants, to help the children decorate gingerbread houses.

As frosting was spread and candy carefully placed, meaningful connections formed across generations. These shared moments gave children the chance to create alongside caring adults, while our older participants enjoyed the joy and energy that comes from spending time with young learners. The room was filled with conversation, smiles, and a sense of togetherness that truly reflects the heart of Willard.

We are grateful to Country House Residence and our bingo players for joining us and helping create lasting memories for our Early Explorers. Intergenerational experiences like this remind us that friendship has no age limit, and that some of the sweetest moments happen when generations come together.

Willard Community Center is incredibly grateful to the employees of Lincoln Industries for their outstanding donation drive in support of the children and families we serve. Their generosity went far beyond toys. Thanks to their efforts, Willard received a wide variety of items, including clothing, speakers, body care products, and other thoughtful essentials that will make a meaningful impact across our programs.

These donations will help support families during the holiday season and beyond, ensuring children feel cared for and families feel supported. The thoughtfulness behind each item reflects the strong community spirit and compassion demonstrated by the Lincoln Industries team.

We are thankful for partners like Lincoln Industries who continue to show up for our community in meaningful ways. Their generosity helps Willard Community Center remain a place where individuals and families can find support, connection, and care.

Willard Community Center recently wrapped up a heartwarming and enriching session of the Prints & Memories class, a Creative Aging through the Arts Program (CAAP) made possible through generous support from the Nebraska Arts Council. This class brought together an inspiring group of lifelong learners whose stories, creativity, and enthusiasm made each session truly special.

Led by printmaking artist Liz Shea-McCoy, participants explored a variety of printmaking techniques while sharing memories, building friendships, and discovering new avenues for artistic expression. The room was filled with laughter, curiosity, and the joy that comes from learning something new at any age.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Nebraska Arts Council for awarding Willard this CAAP grant and making this experience possible. Their investment in creative aging programs helps ensure that older adults have meaningful opportunities to grow, connect, and express themselves through the arts.

Thank you again to the Nebraska Arts Council and to all the remarkable participants who made the Prints & Memories class such a memorable part of our fall programming. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for future Creative Aging opportunities at Willard!

The holiday season was made brighter for Lakeview Community Learning Center families thanks to the generosity of Digitech Systems, LLC. Their thoughtful toy donation will help bring joy, excitement, and meaningful holiday moments to children and families in our program this Christmas.

Because of Digitech Systems’ support, children will be able to experience the magic of the season, while families feel encouraged and cared for during a time that can be both joyful and challenging. Acts of generosity like this help strengthen our community and ensure families know they are supported beyond the classroom.

Willard Community Center is grateful for partners like DigiTech Systems, LLC, who step forward during the holidays to make a lasting difference. Their kindness reflects the spirit of the season and the power of community working together.

Willard Community Center is grateful to Chris, Bryan, and Sam for spending an afternoon volunteering their time and talents to help paint our newly designated adult program space.

Thanks to their hard work, this area is already brighter, more welcoming, and one step closer to being fully ready for programming that supports connection, creativity, and lifelong learning for the adults and seniors we serve. Volunteer efforts like this play a vital role in helping us create environments where community members feel comfortable, included, and valued.

We are incredibly thankful not only for the physical transformation of the space but also for the generosity and spirit of service shown throughout the day. Giving time and energy to projects like this makes a meaningful difference and helps bring our vision for expanded adult programming to life.

Thank you to Chris, Bryan, and Sam for partnering with Willard Community Center and supporting our mission. We look forward to the impact this refreshed space will have on our adult programs and the many individuals who will gather there in the months ahead.

Lakeview Family Game Night was a wonderful evening of connection, laughter, and fun, welcoming more than 200 community members to gather and play together. Families and children filled the space, enjoying a variety of games and activities that created an energetic and joyful atmosphere throughout the night.

The event was made even more special by the support of volunteers from Lincoln Southwest High School. These students generously donated toys for children in attendance, adding an extra element of excitement and ensuring many young participants went home with smiles on their faces. Their kindness and willingness to give back exemplified the strong community spirit that makes events like this possible.

Lakeview Family Game Night highlighted the importance of bringing families together in a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can connect and have fun. We are grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success, and we look forward to hosting more opportunities for families to gather, play, and build lasting memories together.

We’re kicking off the new year with great company, warm conversation, and a delicious meal together!

📅 Wednesday, January 14, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Willard Community Center - 2nd floor South Room (elevator available)

Willard will be providing the main dish: lasagna.
Guests are welcome to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

Let’s start 2026 with friendship, laughter, and a table full of good food. We hope to see you there!