The Scheinost Family
Lindsey and Matt Scheinost were high school sweethearts. They had a beautiful life together with their two children, Avarie and Kaysen. The family's strength was tested in 2022 when Matt was diagnosed with colon cancer, but they remained hopeful when he went into remission. Unfortunately, Matt's cancer came back in June this year and he sadly passed away in September. It's been hard for Lindsey and the kids navigating the world without Matt. The family's nominators described how faced with an unimaginable loss, they keep moving forward with grace and strength.
UBT and our awesome partners wanted to step up and make things easier and a little brighter for Lindsey, Avarie, and Kaysen this holiday season. With gifts including professional snow removal and dog walking, we hope Lindsey's plate will be a little clearer to spend quality time with her kids. Together, they'll enjoy art supplies and classes, family memberships for fun outings, and movie tickets. They'll also spend time baking with their new mixer, setting up new furniture for Avarie's room, and building LEGO sets with Kaysen.
The Lau Family
Kari Lau is a devoted mother and dedicated teacher who adores her students. Kari and her husband Nate have a five-year-old daughter, Harper, who they adore. Four years ago, Kari fought and won against a breast cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, last July, Kari and Nate received the devasting news that her cancer was back, invasive, and spreading. Despite the grueling treatment and the exhausting side effects, Kari continues to teach. She continues to put her family and students first. In her own battle, she is tough and faces each challenge with unwavering strength.
UBT and our incredible partners came together to give the Lau family an extra special holiday season. The family will be enjoying a lot of family time by seeing Christmas lights, a family fun pack of passes, and tickets to sporting and cultural events. Thoughtful gifts were hand-picked for each of them, and we surprised Kari with a scrapbook of letters from her students sharing why they love Mrs. Lau.
Kayla Johnson
Kayla is a hard-working, dedicated, and deeply caring RN and single mom to three amazing children: Shaun, Bri, and Mason. Last July, Kayla found a mysterious lump that was later diagnosed as stage four malignant melanoma. Her fight against cancer has been grueling and has forced Kayla to cut her hours at work, adding financial struggles to her stressors. Her remarkable children have stepped up even more, helping to take care of their mom and each other.
UBT and our caring partners wanted to create some holiday magic for this sports-loving crew. They'll be enjoying many family outings together to sporting events, concerts, and more. Kayla's selflessness shone through when she said all she wanted was maybe some new pots and pans, so we made that happen for her — plus lots of other goodies to brighten the holiday and make her feel cared for. The kids all got unique, individualized gifts, including some cool new tech, and we even had some treats up our sleeves for Rio and Louie, the family's French bulldogs.
The Bennett Family
Jillian Houston was an amazing human being who was a single mom to eight great kids. She worked hard at her job as a nurse aid caring for hospitalized patients. Unfortunately, on September 23, the unthinkable happened: Jillian suffered a massive aneurysm. She fought hard to recover with her nurse friends taking great care of her. Sadly, the toll the aneurysm took on her body was too much to overcome, and she passed away on October 29.
Since then, Jillian's oldest son Matt Bennett, along with help from his dad Sam, has stepped up to help take care of his younger siblings. He left school in Omaha and has moved back home to make sure everyone gets to school and work on time, attends therapy, and shows up for one another. A tall order for a 22-year-old, but Matt is doing an incredible job navigating such a hard situation.
Rawda Theam
Rawda Theam is a single parent to her two daughters, Alith (14) and Alek (8). She would do anything for her girls and they're a tight-knit crew. Rawda was recently diagnosed with renal failure and now has to juggle daily dialysis on top of keeping up with her girls and working overnight to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, Rawda continues to have a big heart, joyful disposition, and is always willing to help others in need.
UBT and our generous partners wanted to ensure Rawda and her girls felt the love this holiday season. They'll be enjoying new furniture, clothes, and tires for the car. Additionally, they'll be receiving many family activities to keep spending quality time together while making memories together
Samantha & Family
Samantha is known to her family and community as someone you can always rely on when the going gets tough. She's a single mom to two great kids and helped raise her niece and nephew. Lately, she's been her brother Tom's support system while he grieves the loss of his wife. Outside of being super mom, Samantha is a staple of Lincoln’s Native American community and regularly volunteers at the Lincoln Indian Center, in addition to mentoring and connecting kids with their indigenous culture. She also works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and hosts a culture-based radio show on KZUM. She's the kind of person who is always willing to help others but rarely asks for anything herself.
UBT and our amazing partners were excited to show Samantha and her family extra love this holiday season. The family will enjoy some home upgrades, including new beds and a new washer and dryer, as well as new clothes and winter wear for the cold months ahead. Plus, they'll be spending some good quality time together with tickets and passes to upcoming events, along with other hand-selected gifts.
Serenity
11-year-old Serenity has faced a lot of challenges in her young life. She and her family have fallen on hard times, and though her mom does her best, making ends meet is a struggle. Serenity is a light to those around her and is always supporting others. She’s even been a guest on the Boys & Girls Club podcast, sharing her story in hopes of inspiring other kids to persevere through the challenges they’re experiencing.
Serenity was nominated by program staff at the Boys & Girls Club, who want to make sure that Serenity knows she is loved and cared for — not just by the club but by many others in the Lincoln community. UBT’s Magic Moments team and our wonderful partners were more than happy to share the love. The family will be getting a ton of gifts designed to give the family some quality times this holiday season and some new basic necessities like clothing.
Mykah
Life was pretty normal for the Stammer family until a few months ago. A seemingly harmless soccer game injury completely changed their life. After multiple tests and countless doctor's visits, they got an answer to the pain Mykah was feeling. Tests revealed he has B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BALL) and multiple compression fractures in his spine. Now the race is on to help Mykah beat cancer. Through all of the pain and chemo treatments, Mykah's smile and stellar personality have not been affected. He lights up every room with his jokes and gives the best hugs.
UBT and our generous partners wanted to bring a little extra light to the Stammer family this holiday season. The family will be enjoying the Magical Lights of Lincoln as well as Husker women's basketball, and some gadgets to keep the almost 9-year-old Mykah occupied while he rests in bed. He even got a very special gift box from the Nebraska Women's soccer team including a personalized video message from the team.
Malachi Hopkins
Anyone who knows Malachi Hopkins knows that he is determined. A neck injury forced him to abandon his college football dreams, and if this setback wasn't enough, he was also diagnosed with cancer. Rather than letting these hardships stop him cold, Malachi channeled his energy into pursuing another passion, and established a nonprofit called Everybody Gets a Chance. Growing up with a single mom, Malachi experienced firsthand how financial constraints can limit a child's access to extracurricular activities. Everybody Gets a Chance offers free training, mentoring, and sometimes scholarships to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow through athletics, regardless of their financial situation.
UBT and our partners came together to provide Malachi with a holiday deserving of the hero he is. Malachi is obviously a huge sports fan, so he's going to enjoy some sporting events and new athletic gear, along with some other fun surprises.
The Barghish Family
The Barghish family fled Sinjar, Iraq, with only what they could carry. Mira and her mother, Lozniya, made the journey across the desert to Baghdad. There they met father Muhsin in their new community, a city of white tents where they lived for three years before making the long journey to Texas to start a new, better life.
Now, Mira is 13 years old and attends Culler Middle School. There, she's a straight-A student who is excelling despite a challenging schedule and the barriers of adapting to a new culture. UBT and our amazing partners wanted to ensure the Barghish family felt the love of their new community this holiday season and adjust to the colder weather with style.
22 Years of Magic Moments
The magic is shared by everyone involved
Magic Moments is a moving experience for our amazing recipients as well as our employees. They’ve touched our hearts more than they could ever know. Hear from some past honorees and UBT employees about the impact their Magic Moments have had on them and their loved ones.
2023 Recipient
The Combs Family
Michael and Courtnee were living a very normal life with their children, Fox and Luna. Last summer, seemingly in an instant, their world changed as their little Luna became very sick. She was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare type of liver cancer that affects fewer than one in a million children. Her team of doctors came to the conclusion that a liver transplant was her best option.
In October 2022, Luna underwent her liver transplant surgery. Unfortunately, it was later discovered she has Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), a complication of her anti-rejection medicine, and that meant more chemo, more tubes, and more time away from home. One year later in October of this year, the Combs family received the wonderful news that Luna is in remission! UBT and our partners wanted to give the Combs some extra joy this holiday season.
2023 Recipient
The Meyer Family
Kayla and Cole Meyer had, by all accounts, a great life until Christmas Day 2022, when the unthinkable happened. Cole went into cardiac arrest, suffered a seizure, and then spent seemingly endless months in a coma. His dedicated wife Kayla found her world upside down trying to take care of her two small daughters and be with Cole in the hospital. But if you ask Kayla, she'll tell you life is still beautiful — and she really means it.
Slowly but surely over the last year, Cole has been working through his recovery, including learning how to walk and talk again. The family has taken a few other hits this year (including a lightning strike to their house!) but Kayla's positive attitude has stayed strong despite the circumstances. UBT and our partners worked together to ensure their memories of Christmas this year are filled with joy while making memories together as a family.
2023 Recipient
Rita McClure
Anyone who knows Rita McClure knows that if you need her, Rita shows up. She retired from Lincoln Public Schools as a school nurse, but there’s a nursing shortage and LPS is feeling it, so Rita continues to sub, taking as many shifts as she can. In addition to working a nearly full work week, Rita volunteers at FoodNet of Lincoln.
Rita was nominated by her daughter Laura Huggins as well as her granddaughter Emily Castner and chosen because of her dedication to her family and her community. UBT’s Magic Moments team thought it was time for this incredible lady who pours so much love into helping others to receive a little holiday love herself!
2023 Recipient
Jamie Speth and Family
Jamie is a devoted single mom to three wonderful children, Jordan (13), Carson (9), and Harper (4). In 2022, Jamie was diagnosed with cervical cancer setting her up for a tough fight. She knocked the cancer out in the first round but unfortunately it came back bigger than before by metastasizing in her lungs and bloodstream. Yet she keeps fighting. Jamie is working hard to create positive family memories and experiences while also creating teal and white charm bracelets and amazing uplifting paintings to raise awareness for cervical cancer.
UBT was touched by Jamie’s indomitable spirit as well, and together with our amazing partners, we set out to make some holiday magic happen for Jamie and her family.
2023 Recipient
The Lindbeck Family
Jessica Lindbeck was recently diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an inoperable tumor in her brain. She started treatments after Thanksgiving and the family is hoping for survival past five years. Jessica, her husband Ryan, and their 14-year-old Eve enjoy spending as much time together as possible, whether it's attending church, cooking a big breakfast, or enjoying Disney movies. Jessica hopes treatments will keep her symptoms minimal so she can experience a good quality of life with few side effects. UBT and our amazing partners wanted to celebrate those giving hearts by making some holiday magic for the Lindbeck family.
Scheels
Super C
Lincoln Children's Museum
Lincoln Children's Zoo
U-STOP
Thank you to businesses who donated
- Smart Chicken
- Museum of American Speed
- Paint Yourself Silly
- Runza
- Pillar Restaurant Group
- 7 Day Furniture
- Southwest Auto Service & Repair
- 402Ink
- Union Adventist University
- Crystal Meredith Photography
- Rocket Carwash
- Card My Yard
- Del Gould
- UNL Women's Soccer
- Lincoln Stars Hockey
- Casa Bovina
- LUX Center for the Arts
- Lost in Fun
- Phenomenal Day Spa
- Ace Hardware
- Schaefers
- The Kindler Hotel
- Marcus Theaters
- LifeStrokes
- Arch Hero Massage
- Valentino's
- Annabelle Gardens
- Sun Valley Lanes & Games
- Wholesale Logistics
