VIP is excited to share about our recent fundraiser, the Truth Be Tolled handbell benefit concert held on July 31, 2026.  It included 5 key components, and we are grateful to say that thanks to the generosity of the attendees, as well as some who donated before (and some who are continuing to donate), nearly half of VIP’s expenses were raised for this year. 

1)  The music!

Unfortunately, the handbell music cannot be "replayed" here, but we can report the excellent content the Truth Be Tolled duo provided in celebrating the USA's 250th.  First, we  introduce the musicians:  Juanita Thurow, Nora Sandine, and Sharon Kazmierski.

Juanita Thurow and Nora Sandine are handbell ringers making up the group Truth Be Tolled, accompanied by pianist Sharon Kazmierski. All have been music performers, leaders, composers, and teachers in the Omaha and surrounding areas for decades.  

While living in Southern California, Juanita was introduced to handbells. She has directed choirs of all ages and uses the bells to teach music theory, enabling the ringers to lead worship services and perform concerts. She also arranges handbell music. She currently leads the Heavenly Handbell Choir at Marshall Drive Baptist Church in Millard. In starting Truth be Tolled, she was joined by Nora Sandine, who calls Juanita her “master teacher,” and the two have been ringing together for over 20 years. Nora’s master’s degree in voice and experience teaching music privately and at schools adds to the depth of their creativity.  

Sharon Kazmierski, a piano teacher and musician, has served over 50 years as music director of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Bellevue, played as accompanist for Bellevue East High School from 1990 – 2007, played in the pit orchestra for musicals, and taught piano for 50+ years.

AMERICA CELEBRATES

JUANITA: I am Juanita and this is Nora.  Welcome to our America Celebrates Its 250^th Birthday Concert.  We began with Stars and Stripes Forever, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, and You’re a Grand Old Flag,” but there is a much deeper meaning in our concert!  As Christians, we celebrate the spiritual heritage of our nation and the influence the Bible and its teachings had on our Founding Fathers.

NORA:  George Washington stated, “You do well to which to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.  These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.  While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion, to the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

JUANITA:  Tonight we want to pay tribute to our God and give Him the glory for all that we have accomplished as the greatest nation on earth.  Ronald Reagan famously said, “If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”  We give glory to the God of Our Fathers and worship His Majesty.

MY TRIBUTE      GOD OF OUR FATHERS       MAJESTY

NORA:  Our heritage includes many races and backgrounds, and the music we cherish in our country reflects those different customs, from Negro Spirituals, to folk songs, to Christian hymns.  We turn to a Negro Spiritual, as well as a song written by a preacher, both songs inspired by the thought of the “river of life” mentioned in the Bible.  “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”  Enjoy the next group of familiar tunes that we have all heard!  All with a theme of our Judeo-Christian heritage.

SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT      SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER    ‘TIS A GIFT TO BE SIMPLE

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

JUANITA:  On to “Patriotic Medley,” a collection of hymns familiar to us thanking God for the wonderful world He created for us to enjoy:  This is My Father’s World, For the Beauty of the Earth, and Battle Hymn of the Republic—giving Him glory for the Truth of His Word and His care over us during conflict in our nation.

PATRIOTIC MEDLEY

NORA:  Our next song is a collection of patriotic songs that reflect our reliance on God throughout our history, Faith of Our Fathers, America the Beautiful, and America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee.)  What  a powerful message we have in all of our patriotic music, reliance on, and thankfulness to, God for His amazing care over our country.

FAITH OF AMERICA

JUANITA:  One of the most beloved songs in our country is heard at military and civilian funerals, at tent revivals, pop music gatherings, gospel, and country music concerts.

AMAZING GRACE

NORA:  In this day and age, we hear of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, natural disasters, famine, an increase in evil.  We can get discouraged, but we need to remember that we have a God who loves us.  We need to pray for peace and to be instruments of peace in our homes, churches, and neighborhoods.  We need to remember that God had His hand in the founding of our nation.  He has watched over us for 250 years.  We must turn to Him to find encouragement and courage to do the right thing.  He has had plans for our nation for 250 years and He has plans now.  “Jeremiah 29:11 says:  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Pray for our nation.  Pray for our leaders.  Pray for your neighborhoods.  Be God’s instrument of Peace.

MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF THY PEACE

JUANITA:  Our last selection is “God Bless America.”   We are playing a part that you usually do not hear, and we thought it would be a good thing to read the words of that part to you: “While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.  Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, as we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”                     

2 Chronicles 7:14 states:  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Psalm 33:12 states:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . . . “  Pray with us for revival in every aspect of our nation, states, cities, churches, and homes; starting with each of us.  President John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

                        Please pray this song with us.  May God bless you and may GOD BLESS AMERICA!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

NORA:  We thank you for this evening.  It has been a joy to ring for you.  We hope you have realized more than ever what an amazing country we have, the reliance our founders had on God, and the importance of honoring God and praising Him for His hand that has been on our country for 250 years! 

                        We would like to acknowledge our accompanist, Sharon Kazmierski!  We appreciate all the time and effort—and cheerful attitude—that she put in to helping us with our concert.  Thank you, Sharon.       Thank you again!  Have a wonderful weekend!

2)  The keynote speaker

Dr. LeDonna Griffin spoke on Perspective.  

Dr. LeDonna Griffin is an educator, leader, and advocate for faith-driven education. She has served as a mother, teacher, assistant principal, principal, author, mentor, and business owner, but her identity as a child of God is the most dear to her.

Her journey—from losing her mother at the age of 3, to growing up in a single-parent household with five siblings, to becoming a first-generation college graduate—is a testament to resilience, faith, and purpose. 

A native of North Omaha, Dr. Griffin is known for bold leadership. As an administrator, she closed racial achievement gaps, eliminated suspensions for PK to 6th-grade students, and aimed to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.  She founded Leaders to Legends Academy LLC to provide a spiritually-grounded education centering on personal accountability, family involvement, and the development of mind, body, and soul. 

Her commitment to educational excellence extends beyond the school building. She serves on a few local boards. In 2012, Dr. Griffin ran as a candidate for the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education. In 2024, she ran for the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Summary of her comments:

Perspective shapes every decision we make and can either become our greatest source of strength or the prison that limits our growth.

Grounded in Scripture, it reminds believers that their voices, influence, and opportunities are gifts from God to be stewarded faithfully with humility, justice, mercy, and love.   

Micah 6:8 states:  “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Drawing from her own experiences as a Black woman, educator, entrepreneur, and Christian, Dr. Griffin encouraged us to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for spiritual growth, greater understanding, and meaningful action.

Rather than allowing politics to divide, Christians are called to let their identity in Christ unite them, demonstrating love, grace, and respect even when they disagree.

She challenged each of us as "the church" also known as believers to replace fear with faith, practice heart-centered thinking, and intentionally build relationships across differences while carrying hope into every community.

Ultimately, she left the overall message in our hearts when God’s word shapes our perspective, our faith moves us to action, our witness reflects Christ, and our perspective becomes our power.

Other Bible quotes she shared included:

Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good person leaves an inheritance to their children’s children.”

James 2:20 tells us, “Faith without works is dead.”

Joshua 24:15 ringing through history: “Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

3)  The VIP Update

The update, provided by Kathy Holkeboer, combined some condensed 34 years of history with current technology needs.  Kathy has led Voter Information Project for all of that time—ever since she accidentally discovered the need to educate herself and others to vote in line with personal values and found a way to do just that. Her decades of volunteer leadership have shaped VIP from small paper packets for just a few races 34 years ago, to today’s website covering every race on every ballot in 7 counties.  

Her financial report revealed how an all-volunteer effort means technology for running and keeping the website updated yields the major expense.  The expected one-time expense for the required update sits at $2000. Regular monthly expenses usually run at $559 for technology, $149 for promotion and communication.

4)  Call for participation.

Given by Chester Davis.

Chester Davis leads a ministry called Projects 4 Missions.  He has gone around the country and on trips to other countries managing building projects that provide great help and encouragement to missionaries and various missions.

Chester encouraged a 3-prong involvement: prayer, volunteering, and giving financially.  He even brought up the idea of using RMDs (required minimum distribution) from IRA's.

5)  All those other people! 

We are so thankful for the many people that helped put the evening together….

 We would like to thank the following for their contributions to this event:  Community Bible Church - building and technology use,  Pastor Charles Tschetter- opening prayer,  Tom Holkeboer - emcee, Whitney Cowles at W. C. Media - flyer design (wcowlesphoto@gmail.com, 402-613-6224),  Paige Korten at Flourish Bakery and Company - cookies (www.flourishbakerycompany.com),  Tom and Donna Kotchka - cookies and coffee, Becky Wilfong at Bellevue Printing - special services, Loan Eby - tote bag donation, Deb Stortvedt – event chair, VIP Advisory Panel and Executive Board - for direction and dedication to VIP

…..and for the many who came to enjoy the music and value our continuing non-profit, non-partisan efforts.