Members of the Fremont area came together Tuesday to celebrate the impact of philanthropy during the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Annual Dinner at the Fremont Golf Club.
The event was a celebration of the Foundation’s supporters, professional advisors, and the many ways in which they, together with the Fremont Area Community Foundation and area nonprofits, impact the Fremont area. Longtime area benefactors Dr. Greg and Mary Haskins were honored with the Betsy Mulliken Award for Philanthropy, and Brad Holtorf—retiring soon from Sidner Law Firm—received the 2024 Professional Advisor of the Year Award. The Foundation also honored retiring board members Adam Monke, Cheryl Lamme and Holtorf. And the evening featured a video highlighting the Foundation’s 2024 grantees and programs.
Greg and Mary Haskins were awarded this year’s Betsy Mulliken Award for Philanthropy by FACF.
For 44 years, FACF has worked to connect donor interests with community needs, fostering local collaboration and innovation to address vital civic, social and economic challenges and opportunities.
“Since 1980, the Fremont Area Community Foundation has helped many people in this room and elsewhere give thoughtfully and strategically to benefit their community,” Executive Director Melissa Diers of the FACF said. “With a focus on enhancing quality of life, the Foundation has made a total of over $45.4 million in grants to address key needs and support local causes, thanks to the contributions of our donors.”
Dr. Greg and Mary Haskins are a devoted husband-and-wife team in Fremont, known for their impactful careers in healthcare, social work, and community service. Dr. Haskins, a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist, established Fremont Eye Associates in 1984, where he specialized in cataract and glaucoma treatments while also extending services to nearby communities until his retirement in 2023. Mary, a licensed social worker certified in EMDR and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, ran a private counseling practice focused on mental health and substance abuse, prior to retiring in 2019.
Dr. Haskins served on the YMCA board from 2001-2019, led local campaigns, and contributed to the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s initiatives. Mary has been actively involved with CASA, TeamMates, and the Fremont Soccer Club, serving as both coach and president, underscoring her commitment to youth and family. Together, their legacy includes Greg’s biannual medical mission trips to Guatemala and Mary’s mental health advocacy.
Jennifer Bixby, president of the FACF board, presented Brad Holtorf with the FACF Professional Advisor of the Year award, honoring his commitment to encouraging clients to consider giving back to their communities.
Holtorf is a dedicated attorney and community leader with deep roots in Fremont. A Cedar Bluffs High School graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1977, graduating with distinction and membership in the Order of the Coif. Beginning his legal practice in 1977, Holtorf became a partner at his firm in 1981 and has remained a committed member of the Nebraska State Bar Association throughout his career.
In addition to his legal work, Holtorf is actively involved in supporting the Fremont community. His contributions include service with organizations like Lutheran Family Services, the Fremont Area Community Foundation, the Rupert Dunklau Foundation, and the Memorial Cemetery Association. Appointed by the Nebraska Supreme Court to the Nebraska bar commission, he has also dedicated himself to maintaining high legal standards. Brad and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 50 years and are proud parents and grandparents.
