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We Care Endowment (Zitek Family)

The We Care Endowment fulfills Larry and Brenda Zitek’s desire to assist individuals and families who face life-threatening and terminal illnesses, and the significant – and sometimes extraordinary – out-of-pocket expenses that result from them.

Click here to see Larry talk about the We Care Endowment


In early July 2014, Larry began having episodes of light-headedness.  By late July, he was experiencing 15-20 of these two minute episodes per day.  An MRI and subsequent biopsy showed these episodes were actually small seizures caused by a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor, a highly aggressive cancer for which there is no cure.  Two weeks prior, Larry was the picture of good health, walking 18 holes of golf and biking 20 miles regularly, and now he was facing the diagnosis of a terminal illness.  Larry’s family and friends offered immediate assistance in every way possible.  The assistance the Zitek family received is a blessing they recognize and greatly appreciate.  The weeks following Larry’s diagnosis would not have been possible without the help and prayers of so many people.

Because of the financial resources with which God has blessed them, and because of the generosity of others, Larry has received a high level of medical care and assistance during his illness.  In addition, and just as important, are the spiritual gifts Larry and Brenda have received from God through friends, family, and the Church.  The outpouring of love and support has reaffirmed and enhanced their faith in God, and has given them the strength and grace they’ve needed during this period of trial and suffering.  Therefore, when Larry and Brenda think about the benefits of the We Care Endowment that they are establishing – which will assist people facing the expenses of life-threatening and terminal illnesses – they know endowment gift recipients will receive consolation and spiritual gifts along with a financial gift.

The Catholic Foundation works in partnership with many Catholic agencies and organizations across Southern Nebraska.  Catholic Social Services (CSS) is one such agency, serving all people in need, both Catholics and non-Catholics.  CSS fulfills its benefactors’ desire to be charitable by providing financial, material, and spiritual assistance to those in need.  Importantly, CSS not only has a unique ability to serve people in need, but knows how to distinguish between real and perceived need among individuals who seek assistance.  In other words, they have a time-proven method of screening those who request assistance to identify only those who really need help.  Additionally, CSS already assists people faced with expensive medical and medical treatment-related bills, and has agreed to assist the We Care Endowment by screening applicants for assistance.  CSS will screen candidates whose applications have been received by The Catholic Foundation, and will make recommendations on the potential beneficiaries to be selected for gifts from the endowment.  Each beneficiary will be selected based upon a significant and qualified need.

The We Care Endowment will be carefully managed by the Catholic Foundation’s professional money managers, and distributions will be made directly to medical and service providers.

How Benefactors Benefit

Today, there are countless ways for individuals to contribute money to worthy causes and people in need, but the We Care Endowment addresses people with a unique medical assistance need.  Beneficiaries of the fund will be people and families who face life-threatening and terminal illnesses. 

Assistance offered to beneficiaries represents more than financial support:  it represents God’s love to people who need His loving hand during a time of suffering and trial.  The endowment will reach out and touch people in a personal way, offering hope, love and compassion.  Fund distributions are gifts in which fund donors will participate in a meaningful way:  they will be fulfilled knowing their contributions to the endowment will assist people who have a very serious and significant need.

How the Process will Work

1.     Candidates to be considered for a fund distribution will make application to the Catholic Foundation.

2.     Catholic Social Services will screen applicants and make recommendations on those to be considered for gifts.

3.     Identified/recommended gift recipients will be reviewed and approved by the Foundation based on criteria established by Larry and Brenda.

4.     Distributions will be made to medical and/or service providers to cover bills associated with medical care.  Personal correspondence and information about the We Care Endowment will be included with the distribution of funds.

Contact Information

Chris Raun
Executive Director
The Catholic Foundation of Southern Nebraska
402-488-2142
chris-[email redacted]
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Donations 

  • Camille Settle
    • $25 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Christopher Lee
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
Chris Raun
Beneficiary

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