5TH ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION EVENT

Our 5th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Event, hosted by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce’s Friends of Law Enforcement committee, was an incredible night, by far our biggest and most impactful yet!

With more than 650 people in attendance, our community came together to honor and thank the men and women who serve and protect us every day. Our President/CEO, Derek Rusher, kicked off the evening, and then guests heard heartfelt and inspiring messages from astronaut Clayton Anderson, Colonel Waugh of the Nebraska State Patrol, and Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller.

We’re so grateful to Younes Hospitality for hosting us with an amazing meal and beautiful venue; it truly set the tone for a special evening.

The back of the room featured several engaging and informative displays.

• Patriot Manufacturing generously provided free t-shirts to attendees.

• The Better Together campaign shared important updates about the proposed new Law Enforcement Center.

• Members of the Citizens Police Academy were on hand to talk about their work and how to get involved.

• The Kearney Police Department Spouses Group welcomed guests with friendly smiles and support.

  
  

The Friends of Law Enforcement Committee also hosted a raffle with two incredible packages:

• A Grill & Griddle Combo, donated by Cabela’s.

• An art and dining combo featuring a canvas rendering of the original Kearney Police Department, a metal U.S. flag sign, and a $100 gift card to Fyre Modern Grill, donated in memory of Dennis and Peggy Choplin.

This event has come a long way since its first year, which featured bounce houses and “Donuts with a Cop” at the fairgrounds. Year two joined forces with National Night Out at Centennial Park, complete with law enforcement demos and a community walk. The past three years have grown into formal banquets, and this year was our most attended and impactful yet.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the Friends of Law Enforcement Scholarship, help fund a new K-9 unit, and support local programs that strengthen public safety and build lasting connections between law enforcement and the community.

We are so thankful for the many generous sponsors who made this event possible:

🎤 Keynote Sponsor:

• Cash-Wa Distributing

🏆 Platinum Sponsors:

• Brad Kernick

• MCL Construction

• Wilkins ADP

• Younes Hospitality

🥇 Gold Sponsors:

• BD Construction

• BluePrint Engines

• Builders

• CHI Health Kearney

• COSMOS

• Exchange Bank

• Fiddelke Heating & Air

• FNBO

• Hellman Main Coslor & Kathol

• Kearney Public Schools

• Kearney Regional Medical Center

• Kearney Sertoma

• KSNB Local 4 & 10/11 News

• Lind Financial Services

• Motorola

• Olsson

• Parker Hannifin

• Pinnacle Bank

• Ridgeline Exteriors LLC

• The Buckle

• UNK

• Victor Outdoor Advertising

• Visit Kearney

🥈 Silver Sponsors:

• ALLO Fiber

• Artisans Photography

• Barney Insurance / Barney Financial

• Buzz’s Marine

• Cabela’s

• Celebration on Central

• Central NE LOSS Team

• Colonels Group

• Conrad’s Auto

• Copycat Printing

• Custer Federal Bank

• Dan Engels – Renderings

• DD J Company

• Divas at Kearney Floral

• Farm Bureau Financial Services – Rich Peters Agency

• Five Points Bank

• J.E. Krason Agency, Inc. – American Family Insurance

• Jersey’s Sports Bar

• John Sahling

• Kearney Hub

• Mary & Tom Henning

• Matt Pawloski State Farm Insurance

• NAIFA

• NAPA

• Nebraska Safety Center

• Nelson’s Furniture

• New West Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery

• NTV

• Pete & Jane Kotsiopulos

• Platte Valley Auto

• QDOBA Mexican Eats

• Russell’s Appliance

• Star Beef

• Yellow Van Cleaning Services

To everyone who contributed, attended, and helped bring this night to life, thank you. Your support ensures that this tradition continues to grow, uplift, and connect our community and those who protect it.

For information on how to become a member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and join the Friends of Law Enforcement Committee, contact Heather Ullman at hullman@kearneycoc.org or 308-237-3101.