Mandy grew up in Omaha and worked as an elementary teacher in the Omaha Public Schools district for 13 years. Together Mandy and her husband Brian have 4 young boys, one of which was born with complex medical needs. At just the young age of 5 their son has endured 11 surgeries and procedures. Spending long days and nights in the hospital are all too familiar. This is what fueled Mandy’s interest to join the Bags of Fun Omaha team. As a mom and educator Mandy knows first hand how effective the power of play can be. She established her role assisting in event planning with the team in August of 2021.
Member Type: Staff
Andy is the co-director of Bags of Fun Omaha and Gabby’s uncle. He is a native Nebraskan where he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received his Bachelors in Business Administration. As the owner of Sterling Group, a medical device distributorship, he has an established relationship with the Nebraska medical community. Andy is passionate about bringing this organization to Omaha and loves to serve as our “delivery guy”. He especially enjoys bringing smiles and laughter to our bag recipients.
Leigh grew up in Elkhorn, Nebraska. She has been providing private contractor administrative services in the Omaha area for 17 years. She and her husband, Patrick, are graduates of the University of Kansas, where they met. They have one son in high school.
With a background in pediatric nursing I have seen firsthand what a child and their family goes through when diagnosed with a life threatening condition. This became a reality for our family when our niece Gabby was diagnosed with cancer at age 5. Her determination and kind, giving spirit spilled over into her wish to bring a Bag of Fun to every child fighting a battle. It is our wish to bring Bags of Fun to the Omaha area and continue spreading the joy and love that Gabby would have wanted. It is in her spirit that we bring happiness wrapped up in a backpack to those children going through a really tough time in a world where just being a kid and playing is their job! It is with great honor that we are able to bring this foundation to the Omaha area and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide joy to children living with a life threatening illness.