SHARE Group Reaches Out to Local Community

SHARE, which stands for Spouses of Husker Athletics Reaching and Embracing, was organized in September by the spouses of Nebraska’s athletic administrative team, including Janelle Boehm, Tami Pederson and Lisa Miles and includes the spouses of many of Nebraska’s head and assistant coaches. SHARE’s goal is to utilize the manpower, financial resources and publicity outlets afforded to the group, to reach out to the city of Lincoln and outlying communities. By working with other charitable organizations within Lincoln, SHARE hopes to make a difference on the local level. The SHARE name was the idea of Cheryl Novsek and her daughter, Jordyn. Cheryl is the wife of assistant men’s basketball coach Doug Novsek. SHARE is fortunate to have 100 percent participation level among the men’s basketball and football coaching staff families.

"We knew that as a group we could make a significant difference in our community, what we didn’t know is what level of participation we would get," Tami Pederson said. "At our first meeting we weren’t sure if we would have four or 40 people. We had more than 30 and it has grown since then. It is a very fun and fulfilling experience and has not only been a great way for each of us to give back to our community, but it has also helped us to get to know each other and has been a wonderful opportunity to involve our children."

SHARE has planned events for every other month of the year and picked their events largely based on the current involvement or knowledge of their membership. On Saturday, Dec. 11, SHARE assisted with City Impact, buying toys and gifts for children and adults in need and helping with the store at Central Church (2820 O Street). City Impact helped more than 200 families and 1,000 children on Saturday alone.

The group’s first endeavor was partnering with Huskers Helping the Homeless as the spouses collected money for the homeless and the working poor for the Matt Talbot Kitchen before the Oct. 30 football game. SHARE members will assist at Matt Talbot on at least four more dates throughout year, buying and preparing the food, serving and providing cleanup services. SHARE members worked at the Kitchen on Nov. 18 and are also scheduled for Jan. 20, March 17, May 19 and Sept. 15, 2005.

On Nov. 14, several members bought seats for the Child Advocacy Dinner and silent auction hosted by Annette and Barry Collier. SHARE will also partner with the Child Advocacy Center, which aids abused children, for an event in April which is Child Advocacy Month, hoping to assist them in purchasing audio-visual equipment.

With Husker Softball Coach Rhonda Revelle leading the charge and inspiring the cyclists, SHARE members collected donations and pedaled for the YMCA Strong Kids Cyclethon which was held on Nov. 21. Rob Logsdon, one of several male spouses involved in SHARE, was the organizer of this event for SHARE and Cyndi Wagner, wife of offensive line coach Dennis Wagner won the prize for collecting the most in donations.

Share will also assist with the Cedar’s Home Chocolate Lover’s Event in Haymarket in February and will help the Friendship Home’s endeavors to purchase a van.

Charitable Organizations who wish to contact the SHARE group for assistance with a local project, should contact Lisa Miles at lmiles@parkmadisongroup.com. SHARE meets once a month with babysitting provided. Athletic department members and spouses who are interested in joining should also contact Miles at the above e-mail address.