Name: Maggie Buettner
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Affiliated Fund: Bennet Community Fund
School: University of Arizona, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
What projects are you working on this summer with your affiliated fund?
This summer I plan to work on many projects, including videos for Give to Lincoln Day; increasing the Fund’s social media presence; creating an interactive website; creating an email list for online and printed newsletters; and helping to plan the annual Christmas in the Park event and possibly other summer fundraising activities.
Why did you want to take this opportunity to participate in this internship?
I want to take away the appreciation for a smaller community. I love the feeling of a bigger city (coming from Lincoln and going to a high school larger than the town), but I love the ability to slow down in a smaller community and really appreciate what is there and what is around you. I really want to take that away from this summer and enjoy the community around me.
How would you describe the experience so far?
It’s been nice. I have been spending a lot of time editing videos and sending emails so far. I don’t have a specific workplace in Bennet, so I do a lot of work from home, and go out to Bennet when I need meet with the members or get pictures.
What do you appreciate most about your community?
I appreciate that everyone knows everyone. You can see that, in a small community, people are more likely to be willing to help. There is also a lot of history since the town was built to accommodate the railroad from Lincoln to Nebraska City.
What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
I’m excited to get to see what Bennet can do to grow. It is rapidly growing, but I want the newer people to get to see what the Bennet community can do for them and have future generations stay in town, instead of moving to Lincoln or Omaha.
What are you looking for in a place to call home?
Home is where you feel most comfortable. I want to feel comfortable in my home, choices, and the people I surround myself with. I want there to be a sense of community, whether that means it’s a smaller town who is always willing to help, or it’s a bigger city with a chosen community of friends, family, and neighbors.
