Giving Thanks

Photo by Kelly

It’s that time of year when people count their blessings. They take a look at their life and give thanks for the events and people who have had a big impact.

Here that the PVLA, we have so much to be thankful for.

Individuals Who Make it Happen

One of the biggest things we are thankful for here at the PVLA are the donors who give their time or resources to help students. From Snack Sponsors to volunteer tutors to volunteer instructors, individuals giving what they can makes a huge impact on the lives of students.

The opportunity for students to have a cup of coffee or grab a small treat means the world to them. They are working hard to improve their lives (and the lives of their families), so being able to take a break and refuel is essential, and being able to offer snacks wouldn’t be possible without Snack Sponsors. They include the following:

• Angie Biester – donation through Thrivent
• Richard and Mary Lou Stamm
• Walmart – donation of a grant
• Columbus Bank & Trust Co.
• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Snack donations from Columbus Bank & Trust

Having volunteer instructors and tutors who freely give their time to make sure students understand a particular topic or have information to learn a new one is life-changing—literally. The topics they are learning in a class or one-on-one lessons could be exactly what they need to pass a test or apply for a better job. Without individuals willing to help out, students wouldn’t be filled with the knowledge they need to improve their lives.

Bill Podraza (volunteer instructor) with his Conversational English class.

The PVLA wouldn’t be where it is today without the dedication and guidance of its board of directors. These individuals make decisions that empower students to reach their educational goals and ensure that the PVLA continues to be an integral part of the Columbus community.

Partnerships with the Community

Individuals play a huge role in supporting students, but we couldn’t do much without the community. Our partnership with CCC Adult Education provides the technology and classroom space that keep our students learning.

The Columbus Area United Way allocates a large percentage of funding that ensures we can pay our high-quality instructors and obtain up-to-date materials and equipment for the classrooms.

There are also many other foundations and organizations that believe in the mission of the PVLA and have provided funds to help students reach their educational goals. They include:

• Tyson Foods
• The Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation
• Dollar General
• The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program

Our partnership with Columbus Public Schools and CCC to offer Family Learning has expanded this year and allows us to reach a whole new set of students and provide them with language skills that will help them and their families be successful in life.

Further connections with the community are made when individuals and businesses are invited to speak directly to students in Family Learning and the Integration Class about their services. There are so many amazing people who have volunteered their time to talk about what they have to offer so that our students know more about the Columbus community.

There are also the partnerships with manufacturers here in town. These companies go out of their way to schedule Outreach Classes to ensure their employees have the skills that allow them be successful at work and beyond. Whether they are learning English or conversational Spanish, these businesses are breaking down barriers and making all of their employees feel valued inside the company walls and in the larger community.

Students, instructors, and supervisors from the Vishay Outreach ESL class.

Let’s not forget that Cruise & Associates also took the time and effort to put together a bowling fundraiser that raised $1,000 for the PVLA. It gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling to know we are part of such a generous, kind, and caring community.

Cruise & Associates employees who participated in the bowling fundraiser.

More to Come

This year has been incredibly busy with the development of new classes and partnerships, as well as the maintenance of classes that have been in existence for a long time. The PVLA has been around since the 1980s, and we continue to thrive and survive because of the support of foundations, individuals, and members of the community.

We are so thankful for our donors, whether they give their time or money. This year may be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean we’re done. There are still so many ways for you to support the PVLA and its mission, and there’s a whole new year to get involved and see what we have planned for our students.

Thank You!

What is Giving Tuesday?

Photo by GivingTuesday

November is here! There is so much going on in this month and the next. Not only is this a time for people to reflect on the past year and count their blessings, but it’s also a time of generosity and helping others.

You’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of fundraisers going on right now. At the center of them all is Giving Tuesday.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide phenomenon that encourages individuals to donate to their favorite causes. It started in 2012 in response to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and encourages people to do something good. In the past decade, Giving Tuesday has developed into a global movement that has inspired and encouraged hundreds of millions of people to donate and celebrate generosity.

When is Giving Tuesday?

December 3, 2024.

It’s a bit later this year because Thanksgiving fell later in the month.

Why Should You Donate to Platte Valley Literacy?

The PVLA has been a part of the Columbus community since the 1980s, and it makes us so proud to know that we have helped—and will continue to help—individuals fulfill their dreams of a better life.

Whether a person is looking to improve their English-speaking skills, earn their citizenship, or increase their employability skills, we are here to help.

But we can’t do it alone.

By working together, we can make Columbus a welcoming place for all and ensure that everyone feels like a valued member of the community.

The vast majority of our classes are offered at no charge to students, but we still have to pay instructors and ensure they have classrooms to teach in. Technology also assists in student instruction, and we need to be able to keep equipment and other educational materials up to date.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of others to provide the invaluable services that people need.

We empower individuals to reach their educational goals, and your donation on Giving Tuesday ensures that we have what we need to provide students with high-quality instructors and up-to-date materials and technology.

Here are a few ways to participate in Giving Tuesday:

1. Make a donation

To make it as easy as possible, we offer a variety of ways to make a donation to the PVLA. You can head over to our PayPal online donation site or send a check or money order to:

Platte Valley Literacy
3020 18th St, Box 3, Suite 4
Columbus, NE 68601

2. Spread the Word

Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about our services. Chances are, you know someone who could benefit from what we have to offer. The more you share, the more individuals we can help.

3. Become a Volunteer

Giving Tuesday isn’t just about sending your favorite organization money, it’s also about volunteering your time to causes you truly care about. If you want to help adult learners succeed, then contact the PVLA to see how you can volunteer.

You Can Make a Difference

It doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone’s life. Whether you donate time or money, you’re making an impact. Here at the PVLA, we hope your holiday season brings you peace and calm.

Spending Time in the Community

Last week was Halloween, and the PVLA was privileged to participate in TWO trunk or treat events. The first one was hosted by the Vrly Foundation, and the second was hosted by Columbus Public Schools.

We had fun at both.

The PVLA’s Trunk Theme

The theme for the PVLA’s trunk was “Zombie Response Team”—mainly because the executive director has that on the side of her vehicle all the time. She also wanted to highlight that the PLVA provides more than just language services to the community.

They don’t provide the services directly, but as a Columbus Area United Way Partner Agency, we can refer students and community members to the organizations that do provide other services that would be beneficial.

The focus of the PVLA’s classes is to ensure that students have the English skills they need to be successful in life. At the same time, we also offer citizenship classes, integration classes, and one-on-one employability skills.

Having these skills allows a person to improve their lives and the lives of their families on so many levels. Literacy isn’t only about speaking, reading, and writing (although those are big parts), it’s also about understanding the world in which a person lives.

Once they have the basics, then they can strive for higher goals.

As a Zombie Response Team member, our job would be to destroy any undead in the area, and then provide the human survivors with what they need to thrive, including food, warmth (you can’t see the blanket, but it’s there), and knowledge (the books).

Much the same, the PVLA’s role is to destroy any illiteracy and ensure members of the community have what they need to thrive. We do this by providing knowledge, which can then be applied to find warmth and food.

Pictures from the Events

There weren’t a ton of pictures taken at the events, mainly because we were so busy handing out candy. There were literally hundreds of kids at both—and it was amazing to see the costumes and participate in community events.

Here are the few pictures that were taken. Enjoy!

Terri Hotovy, a PVLA board member, helped hand out candy at the Vrly Trunk or Treat.

Jessica Wiig, PVLA executive director, kept participants safe and stocked with candy.

Jessica's sons helped hand out candy at the Columbus Public School's Trunk or Treat.