Who organizes it?
The Big Give is put together by the Fremont Area Community Foundation and includes nonprofits and community projects from across Dodge County and nearby communities raising support for local causes.
What is it?
The Big Give is a one-day online fundraiser that helps local nonprofits and community projects raise money for the work they do in their communities.
When does it happen?
The Big Give takes place once each year during a designated 24-hour giving day. Donations are made online during that time. This year the Big Give will be held Thursday, May 7th.
Where do donations happen?
Donations can be made online using the ‘donate’ button above to support the Heroes Park Veteran Memorial project. Cash and check donations may also be dropped off on the day of or ahead of time at the Scribner City Office, 530 Main Street.
Why does Scribner participate in the Big Give?
The Scribner Area Foundation has participated in the Fremont Area Big Give for the past seven years. Funds raised through the event have helped support several important community projects including swimming pool upgrades, the rescue squad lift system and stair climber, renovations at Mohr Auditorium, Scribner’s “Hollywood” welcome sign and the downtown 18-foot Christmas tree.
This year, funds raised through the Big Give will help support the American Legion’s Heroes Park Veteran Memorial in Scribner, a project honoring those who have served our country.
Big Give to Help Close Funding Gap for Heroes Park Veterans Memorial
Rustler-Sentinel Article Printed 5.6.26
After months of fundraising, the Heroes Park Veterans Memorial is close to becoming a reality, and American Legion Post 121 hopes the Thursday, May 7, Big Give fundraiser will help close the final gap.
Since fundraising began in August 2025, support for the project has steadily grown through donations, grants, memorial tile purchases and contributions from local businesses and community members.
The memorial, located just outside the Mohr Auditorium in Scribner, was planned in three phases. The first phase included site preparation, foundation work and flagpole bases. The second phase included moving the military tank from the Dodge County Fairgrounds to its new location at Heroes Park. The project is now in its third and final phase, which includes memorial plaques, benches, tiles, lighting and other finishing features.
The Legion is hoping to have a significant portion of the memorial ready by Memorial Day, when the Legion holds its annual Memorial Day service. The full project is expected to wrap up this summer.
Around 100 memorial tiles have already been purchased and will be placed at the site, representing veterans from all branches of service from across the country.
The upcoming Big Give is a 24-hour online giving event hosted by the Fremont Area Community Foundation. This year’s Big Give will be held Thursday, May 7, and will give supporters a simple way to donate online to this local project.
The Fremont Area Community Foundation has already awarded a $10,000 grant to the Heroes Park Veterans Memorial project. Other major donors include Scribner Bank, Scribner Grain and the late Dennis Baumert.
Donations during the Big Give may be made online at fremontareabiggive.org/organizations/scribnerareafoundation. Those who prefer to donate by check may drop off donations at the Scribner City Office, 530 Main St. in Scribner. Checks should be made payable to the Scribner Area Foundation, with “Heroes Park” written in the memo line.
Donations to the Heroes Park Veterans Memorial are welcome at any time. While Big Give offers a one-day opportunity to give online, community members may continue to support the project beyond the May 7 fundraiser.
Once complete, Heroes Park will serve as a permanent place of honor for veterans, service members and their families. The memorial will include recognition for each branch of the military, a Purple Heart tribute, an MIA/KIA tribute, flagpoles, benches and personalized memorial tiles.
For project supporters, the final push is about more than completing a construction project. It is about making sure the community has a lasting place to gather, reflect and recognize the people who served.
Questions about the Big Give fundraiser may be directed to Elizabeth Van Zyl at 402-719-8589 or econdev@scribner-ne.gov. Questions about the memorial may be directed to Jim Ebel at 402-720-8688.