It can be said that the best way to judge a community is by how they give back, and Sutton is a community of world class volunteers. From the Teammates program within the school, to various scouting troops and a branch of the Lions Club, Sutton is truly a giving and caring community. Why not give a little time and find out what each organization is all about?
The Foundation was formed prior to 1993 but it was resurrected at that time, when Albert Arp donated $25,000 to begin a fundraising project for the Sutton Community Center.Its purpose is to form a Nebraska non-profit corporation to provide a way for individuals to contribute in a tax-deductible manner, for the present and future betterment of the Sutton Community. The Foundation will provide funding for community improvement projects that will improve the quality of life and offer opportunities to the citizens of the Sutton Community. Areas of giving: General gifts, Downtown Revitalization.
From its earliest beginnings in 1910, to the present day scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is quite possibly one of the best known organizations in existence today. The Sutton Scouting packs are truly active boys and young men who give back to our community in many, many ways. From taking time the first Saturday of each month to go all over the city to pick up and recycle papers, plus running a trailer located behind Georges 66 Service Station for number 1 and 2 plastic and cardboard. Our Boy Scouts recycle enough in 10 months to fill approximately 2 semi-trailers, or the equivalent of recycling 40,000 pounds of materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Our Eagle Scouts give back to the residents by doing landscaping at public parks, building picnic shelters, and helping do minor demolition projects. After storms, our scouts can be seen helping clean up tree limbs.
Created as an answer to the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts are no less well known an organization.
Our local Lions are very lively within our community, with one of their main focus’ being helping everyone see. Our Lions club donates glasses mostly to kids within our community, but also to the elderly who, otherwise, would not be able to afford them. In 2014 the Lions donated $680 towards helping children and the elderly get the glasses they needed. Each year during the Dug Out Days the Lions, in conjunction with the city police and local Sheriff’s department, sponsors a Bike Rodeo for the kids in the community with a focus on making sure their bikes are in good working order (tires aired up, reflectors not broken, chain oiled) and makes sure the kids can complete basic biking maneuvers such as riding in a straight line, figure 8’s, and weaving in and out of cones (younger riders can get help from a parent). The Lions also sponsor Boy Scouts projects, donates $400-500 yearly to the Nebraska Eye Bank to be used for corneal transplants, and gives money for the Seeing Eye Dog program. The Lions Club also provides a bus to do vision and hearing screenings at local area schools free of charge to the school.
Called the ‘One Hour Difference’, the mission of TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. TeamMates Mentoring Program began in 1991 with the vision of University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. The program began with twenty-two football players who met with middle school students in the Lincoln Public Schools. TeamMates has expanded and currently there are more than 7,500 matches in 130 communities across Nebraska and Iowa!
Mission Statement
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
Vision Statement
The vision of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support the American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community providing support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace and security.
Purposes
In fulfillment of our Mission, the American Legion Auxiliary adheres to the following purposes:
o To support and advocate for veterans, active military and their families
o To support the initiatives and programs of The American Legion
o To foster patriotism and responsible citizenship
o To award scholarships and promote quality education and literacy
o To provide educational and leadership opportunities that uphold the ideals of freedom and democracy and encourage good citizenship and patriotism in government
o To increase our capacity to deliver our Mission by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities within our communities
o To empower our membership to achieve personal fulfillment through Service Not Self
Values
Our statement of values is predicated on the founding purposes:
o Commitment to the four founding principles: Justice, Freedom, Democracy, Loyalty
o Service to God, our country, its veterans and their families
o Tradition of patriotism and citizenship
o Personal integrity and family values
o Respect for the uniqueness of individual members
o Truthful open communication in dealing with the public and our members
o Adherence to the adopted policies and rules
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.