Bags of Fun – Our Story

What began as a mother’s wish to offer a playful respite for her daughter fighting brain cancer has now become a movement to reclaim the innocence and playfulness of childhood for those that are threatened by the realities of their medical conditions. Bags of Fun are an essential tool that brings the power of play into the hospitals. For the child it brings instant excitement and a distraction from their pain, illness and anxiety. For parents, it is gratitude at a time when being thankful and hopeful is not often possible. Since inception of the program in 2004, Bags of Fun has fulfilled every request from the participating hospitals. It is our annual goal to be able to fund 100% of the requests and to not have to deny any requests.

Bags of Fun is independent of the hospitals and each Bag of Fun is funded by the Gabby Krause Foundation. Our organization is distinctive in that it focuses on unique play as a means of recovery for kids in the fight of their lives. This is a theme that we truly work and live by. All of our events focus on play…play for the family, play for kids that aren’t able to play, play for the adults. Through Gabby’s legacy of playing through her fight, we have created a program that every donor can connect to and at the same time, we connect to every donor.

2023 Opportunities to Support Bags of Fun

Bags of Fun Frog holding a candy cane lollipop

3rd Annual Game Night Gala, Candy Land Edition

An Elegant Night of Fun and Games bringing our Omaha community together to play and be silly while raising funds for Bags of Fun Omaha.
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Bags of Fun Omaha Holiday Giving Logo

Holiday Giving

Steven, a white boy, sitting in a hospital bed with oxygen tubes and a Batman lego toy and Houston Rockets toy.

Ease stress with a $25 Donation

Help give children and families access to items they would not normally have access to due to social economic hardship.

Kevin, a black boy, in his hospital gown standing next to a hospital bed with his wrapped bag of fun on the bed.

Provide a distraction with a $50 Donation

Help children and families have a distraction from the fears of mental and physical illness.

Ruth, a little white girl, sitting on the floor with toys all around her. She is holding a blue stuffed animal and another hand is holding the other end of the stuffed animal. We can't see the person. We only see the hand. Ruth is looking at the person behind the camera.

Create a positive educational experience with a $100 Donation

Provides educational items for children seeking and receiving both mental and physical health support/treatment.

A white teenage boy is sitting in his hospital bed giving us a thumbs up. His Bag of Fun is on his lap.

Deliver unique play to children and families in the fight of their lives with a $200 Donation

Funds 15 deliberate manipulative and therapeutic toys for a Bag of Fun.

Lily, a white girl, is standing on the floor and leaning over holding her wrapped present of toys.

Sponsor an Entire Bag of Fun for a child being treated in an Omaha hospital, Value $425.

Provide Joy, Laughter and Relief to a child in our community this holiday season.

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An illustrated box with icicles on the top and snow on the bottom and fishing pole leaning against the inside of the box. There is the main bags of fun logo and the words - Ice Fishing Tournament - January 19, 2025.

Ice Fishing Tournament

Join us for the 2025 Ice Fishing Tournament on January 19th in Whitehawk Lake! Compete for cash prizes of $500 for First Place and $250 for Second Place in a friendly environment where sportsmanship is key. Remember, fish must be fresh and unaltered, so bring your best catch for measurement and a chance at one of the prizes.
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