MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2009

Contact: Jane Simpson, Director of Public Relations, Lutheran Family Services, (402) 978-5646.

Kim Clark-Kaczmarek, Community Outreach Specialist, Lutheran Family Services, (402) 661-7110

Lutheran Family Services plans foster care awareness activities and holds Diaper Drive at Omaha Royals Community Organization of the Night event April 17

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is the Thrivent Community Organization of the Night at the season-opening Omaha Royals baseball game on Friday, April 17, at 7:05 p.m. at Rosenblatt Stadium.  The event, open to the public with the purchase of tickets through the Omaha Royals ticket office, is to increase awareness of foster care needs and Lutheran Family Services’ diverse programs.

The public is encouraged to bring diapers to the Lutheran Family Services informational booth on the concourse.  The Diaper Drive will benefit LFS foster care services, the refugee resettlement program and the Council Bluffs and Fremont Area Building Families Boutiques.

The first pitch of the night will be thrown by 12-year-old Killian, an LFS foster care child.  (PHOTO OPPORTUNITY)  Throughout the game, there will be free LFS “Embrace Foster Children” t-shirts thrown to the audience.

Entertainment by Rally and fireworks, sponsored by Werner Enterprises, will follow the game.

Foster children are in need of loving homes within the Omaha area and surrounding communities. The Lutheran Family Services foster care program works with the child’s best interests to provide quality services for immediate and specialized care.  By increasing awareness of foster care needs and encouraging support of these programs, LFS is able to treat even more neglected and abused children and place those children in safe, loving homes.  May is Foster Care Awareness Month -- for more information on foster care programs, call (800) 267-9876.

About Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska:
Thousands of families of all faiths are served through LFS statewide programs and services that include foster care, adoption, respite care, maternal health services, family support, counseling, addiction services, immigration legal services and refugee resettlement.  Learn more about LFS at www.lfsneb.org or call 402-978-5646.