FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
CINDY OELKE
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
STEPHEN CENTER
(402) 715-5476

OMAHA BOYS CREATE WITH LEGOS TO HELP OTHERS

Omaha, NE (November 1, 2011). Nine-year-old Brandon Carlson and his brother Aidan, age five, launch their efforts today to help victims of domestic violence and homeless children by building and selling Lego ornaments. Their' goal is to raise $5,000 this season. Children living at the Stephen Center and in domestic violence shelters will benefit from this year's fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Lego ornaments will be used to purchase kid-friendly hygiene items as well as blankets for children living in the shelters. Each blanket will travel with its new owner to transitional or permanent housing for warmth, and also to remind them the community cares.

The Carlson's received volunteer assistance from Brandon's classmates at Ezra Millard Elementary, The Moose Lodge Recording Studio, McJohn and Jeffrey Dean Productions, and Kearney-based multimedia specialist Ismael Torres to produce a video highlighting the immense problems of homelessness and the severe impact to children. The video can be found on the Ornaments 4 Charity website at www.ornaments4charity.com.

The family service project began in 2009 resulting in a $1,200 check to the Food Bank for the Heartland to fill 250 weekend backpacks for hungry kids. Last year proceeds of $4,500 were used to purchase kid-friendly hygiene items for 400 children at the Open Door Mission.

About Stephen Center

Stephen Center, Inc. has served the homeless and low-income men, women and children in Omaha since 1984. Stephen Center is the only "dry" emergency shelter in Omaha, focusing on assisting those who have made a commitment to overcome the life destroying effects of drugs and alcohol. Stephen Center operates three distinct programs: Stephen Center Emergency Shelter, Stephen Center HERO Program and Stephen Center Transitional Living Program.