Salute To Business - Thank you for voting!

It is important that ALL Rotarians vote - even if you are not able to attend the event. Voting closes at 5pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

CEDARS
CEDARS (formerly known as Cedars Youth Services) is a nonprofit organization in Lincoln, Nebraska, that was founded in 1947 to provide safety, stability, and support for children, youth, and families facing challenges like homelessness, abuse, or family crises. The organization offers services including emergency and residential housing, foster care, family preservation, youth intervention programs, and youth opportunity centers for basic needs and support. CEDARS utilizes a trauma-informed approach to help children thrive and build strong, enduring family relationships.  It employs approximately 190 people in Lincoln and Omaha.

 

For more about CEDARS, please visit https://www.cedarsfoundation.org/

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska was formed by 22 Nebraska farmers in 1891.  Today, FMNE Insurance has grown to become one of the most stable and well-respected mutual insurance organizations in America serving communities in Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota with dependable, affordable insurance coverage for your auto, farm, and home.  It is the largest insurer of farms in Nebraska and South Dakota.  Its long history of success is a reflection of the trust and loyalty it has earned from policyholders and local, independent agents.  With its mission and core values founded on integrity and service, it believes in keeping insurance local and giving back to the communities it calls “home.” As a mutual organization, it is owned by its policyholders and seeks to manage its operations in a way that not only listens to their needs but is responsive to them as well. FMNE’s auto, farm, and home coverage options are supported by prompt, personalized service and unmatched financial strength. It promises to be “Always alongside you” and has been continuously rated A (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best, the recognized insurance company rating agency, since 1922.  Only six property and casualty insurance companies have continuously maintained this rating longer than FMNE Insurance.  Farmers Mutual employs 343 people across the Midwest.     

 

For more about Farmers Mutual, please visit https://www.fmne.com/

 

Tom and Rhonda Peed moved their small publishing company from Iowa to Lincoln in 1985.  Since then, Sandhills Publishing, recently updated to Sandhills Global, has become a prominent Lincoln business and philanthropy source.  It’s publishing business operates around the clock producing over 1.75 million pages per hour for stitched books distributed to over 58,000 locations.  Recently, Sandhills has invested in high technology infrastructure to serve both print and online customer needs worldwide—hence, the name change to Sandhills Global.  Business expansion has led to employee growth from around 300 a decade ago to over 1200 today. 

 

A Lincoln Journal-Star described Sandhills giving as being based on “generosity and humility”.  Tom and Rhonda Peed have focused the company’s benevolent resources on children-based programs.  YMCA youth programs and capital campaigns have benefited greatly from Sandhills generosity, as have Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln Children’s Museum, and Junior Achievement.  Sandhills generosity reaches others also.  In 2016 and 2017 Tom and Rhonda sponsored chartered planes for Vietnam veteran flights to Washington D.C., and later the Women’s Veteran Honor flight and Purple Heart Flight.  Sandhills matches employee donations to local non-profits that reach over a dozen local programs.  In the past year, Sandhills local philanthropy has included: mobile food pantries for the Lincoln Food Bank and the Sidney, Nebraska, Table of Grace Food Bank, donor for the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Park at Antelope Park,  lead donation for the Southeast Community College new Technology school and building, lead donations for expansions at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and Cedars Home for Children, and the lead sponsor for the completion of the Lincoln Youth Baseball Complex.

 

To read more about Sandhills Global giving go to www.sandhills.com.

 

Whitehead Oil Company (WOC), recognized often as U-Stop, is a business with a strong focus on community involvement since being founded by M. E. “Bus” Whitehead in 1950. Mark Whitehead, Bud’s son, transformed the company from traditional service stations to convenience stores beginning in 1982. The company has grown to employ over 350 at locations throughout Lincoln. In a challenging retail market U-Stop has distinguished itself by providing superior service, extraordinary community support, and innovative product development.

WOC was instrumental in planning and supporting retail development at the 27th & I-80 interchange which fueled rapid economic development along the North 27th Street corridor. Mindful of the environment, WOC worked with the Lower Platte South NRD to preserve area wetlands. These efforts led to WOC being the company ever to be awarded the Master Conservationist Award.

 

WOC gives back to Lincoln. Most recently, WOC started the “U-Stop Kicks It Back to the Community” program that donates change and $.02/gallon for all gallons on a three-day weekend each month to a charity. This benevolent program sends over $90,000 to community charities.