On May 28, 2008 Harley and Shirley Bair were recognized for their generous gift to the Foundation for

Lincoln Public Schools.  The Bairs donated a gift of commercial real estate valued at $700,000 to

establish the Harley and Shirley Bair Playground Endowment to enhance the playgrounds of Lincoln Public Schools.  Campbell Elementary will be the first school to benefit from the Bairs’ generosity, and in subsequent years the endowment will provide funding for renovation at playgrounds most in need of improvements.  Lincoln Public Schools will determine which playgrounds will be renovated each year. 

The Bairs have a long history of charitable giving including gifts to the Lancaster Youth Softball Association and the Sunken Gardens.  This legacy gift for playgrounds will have a lasting effect on all Lincoln Public Schools and benefit the entire community.  School playgrounds are increasingly becoming the neighborhood playgrounds of choice, and they provide students with opportunities for physical and social development and build strong and safe neighborhoods.

“Within the past six years, research has shown a direct correlation between physical activity and improved academic performance.  Physical activity has been shown to positively affect concentration, memory, and classroom behavior,” said Marybell Avery, Lincoln Public Schools Curriculum Specialist for Health, Physical Education and Character Education.

Shirley Bair said, “We love seeing how the fruits of our work can now bring pleasure and opportunities to others.  It has brought us great joy to see what our contributions have done to benefit youth and families in Lincoln.”  Harley added, “It is a pleasure to leave a gift to the Lincoln community in appreciation for all the Bair Machine Company employees and their families whose dedication helped us be successful.  This is one way Shirley and I can say thank you and not only give back to them, but continue helping our entire Lincoln community thrive.”

“We hope the Bair gift sets an example for other community members to get involved with our schools,” said Foundation President, Barbara Bartle.  “It’s important to build opportunities for our youth who are our next great doctors, scientists and community leaders.”    

The Bairs’ gift is the second largest individual gift in the history of the Foundation, following the recent $1 million gift from Ed and Mary Copple.  With these gifts, the Foundation has cash and pledge commitments of $6.3 million towards a five-year, $10 million campaign. 

BackPack Extra Mile

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools donated 500 bottles of water for the

BackPack Extra Mile walk on April 26, 2008.  This donation by the Foundation for LPS made a difference in the effort to raise funds to feed hungry children in our community.

Historic gift made to Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools

LINCOLN, Neb. – Lincolnites Ed and Mary Copple donated $1 million to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to support a Student Athlete Development Center at Seacrest Field.  The gift is the largest donation in the history of the Foundation, surpassing a previous contribution from Tom and Nancy Osborne to the TeamMates Mentoring Program.

Foundation Receives 2006 BBB Integrity Award

The 2006 Better Business Bureau Integrity Awards were presented on May 17, 2006, at the Cornhusker Marriott. The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools was awarded the 2006 Integrity Award in the charitable organizations category.

The BBB Integrity Awards were created to promote the importance of ethical business practices and to gain public recognition for businesses that go "above and beyond" in serving their customers, suppliers, employees and communities. The awards recognize businesses for their commitment to maintaining cultures that consistently set exceptionally high standards of behavior in buyer and seller relationships.

In its first 16 years, the Foundation for LPS has impacted the lives of over 65,000 students in the Lincoln Public Schools by providing the three "Rs": Raising funds, recognizing excellence in the schools, and reinforcing positive relations with the community. With the development of stringent policies, procedures, and by-laws; the appropriate use of technology; excellent board and trustee leadership from a broad group of community members; ethical staff practices; membership in professional and community organizations; and outstanding customer service; the Foundation demonstrated its commitment to the BBB’s mission of fostering an ethical community.

With the culmination of the lengthy application process, staff and board representatives of the Foundation proudly accepted the Integrity Award--only the second charitable entity to receive this recognition in Lincoln!