PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers are proud of the impact the team and front office have made off the field across the Omaha metro since January, volunteering more than 380 hours and supporting nearly 50 organizations during the first five months of 2026.
In March, Storm Chasers front office staff members read to elementary schools across the Omaha metro as part of Read Across America. The Storm Chasers also hosted “All About Kids Day” at Werner Park on April 15, and 27 local schools attended the game with over 3,500 tickets donated. Between the months of April and May there were four Pitch in for the Pantry games, presented by Conagra Brands, where fans can donate three cans of non-perishable food items in exchange for one Leonard Management McDonald’s berm ticket. The Storm Chasers received 1,931 cans, with all proceeds benefitting NeighborGood Pantry. On April 19, the Chasers presented the Jackie Robinson Scholarship, presented by Chasers Charities and The Weitz Company, to two high school students, Alisha McMurtry and Jordan McDade. Each student earned $1,250.
Chasers Charities provided four organizations with the Chasin’ Dreams Grant across the first part of the year. The grant serves to provide local, non-profit organizations that operate youth baseball/softball programs with help for major renovations. The recipients include the Black Police Officers Association of Omaha, Echoes Athletic Association, Grover Little League and St. Thomas More Athletics. Applicants could receive up to $5,000 and a total of $16,057 was distributed.
Additionally, proceeds from the Chasers’ first jersey auction (Star Wars) of the 2026 season went to Make-A-Wish Nebraska. On May 1, Omaha auctioned off 37 game-worn jerseys to raise a total of $6,425. Make A Wish Nebraska’s mission is to grant wishes and create life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses. Proceeds of the 32 jerseys auctioned off from the second jersey auction of the year (Runza®) went to the Food Bank for the Heartland, whose goal is to provide food to children, families, seniors and veterans facing hunger in Nebraska and western Iowa.
Storm Chasers players also gave back to the community by volunteering with Moving Veterans Forward, Children’s Nebraska and Madonna Rehabilitation Center. Werner Park further supported local causes by hosting charity walks for ALS and Cystic Fibrosis, along with a blood drive.
During the next homestand, from June 23 to 28, the Storm Chasers will host a collection drive for Nebraska Humane Society on Wednesday, June 24, where any fan who brings in three high-priority items from their Wish List will receive a voucher for any remaining Wednesday game. On Sunday, June 28, Chasers Charities is hosting a Mystery Item sale, including a Bobby Witt Jr. autographed baseball, along with other signed baseballs, jerseys, photos and bobbleheads.
Community Events in February/March
- Career Fairs – February/March
- Front office members from the Storm Chasers volunteered across career and job fairs from February onward.
- Read Across America – February/March
- The Storm Chasers’ front office volunteered across 16 different elementary schools to read to the students across three weeks.
Community Events in April
- “All About Kids Day” – April 15
- The Storm Chasers hosted “All About Kids Day” and local elementary schools came to Werner Park to enjoy the day and a great game of baseball, to watch the Storm Chasers host the Indianapolis Indians. Over 3,500 tickets were donated by the team for the game.
- Jackie Robinson Scholarship Day (both winners earned a $1,250 scholarship) – April 19
- Alisha McMurtry, a current high school senior at Bellevue East High School, is the first student from Bellevue East to be selected for the Jackie Robinson Scholarship. Her dedication and love of softball have helped her become a strong role model for players throughout the area. Not only is she a 2-time Team All-Nebraska selection and Bellevue East Softball record-holder, but she is one of the first to volunteer for events in the community. These events include coaching freshman state, youth clinics throughout the Bellevue community, as well as Read Across America. Her dedication to service is attributed to her belief that if you give something your whole heart, it ends up giving you just as much back. Next year, McMurtry will be continuing her education, and playing career, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she plans to major in psychology and pursue a career in sports psychology.
- Jordan McDade, a current high school senior at Papillion La Vista High School, is a leader on and off the baseball diamond. He is the third student from his school to receive the Jackie Robinson Scholarship, and credits sports with teaching him discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and mental toughness. McDade believes the setbacks he has faced on the field have shaped him into a stronger person, viewing each challenge as an opportunity for growth. This fall, he will attend Buena Vista University, where he plans to continue his playing career while studying sports journalism – a pursuit that combines his passion for athletics and his love of writing.
Community Events in May
- First Jersey Auction (Star Wars themed jersey) – May 1
- Game-worn Star Wars themed jerseys were worn on May 1 and auctioned off in-stadium, raising $6,425 for Make-A-Wish Nebraska, whose mission is to grant wishes and create life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses.
- Why I Want to Go to College Night – May 3
- The Storm Chasers partner with the Nebraska State Treasurer to award 12 7th and 8th grade students with contributions toward their Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Three recipients were chosen from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts along with three recipients outside of Nebraska.
- Winners from the First Congressional District:
- 1st Place: Summer Korth from Humphrey
- 2nd Place: Hailey Schroeder from Columbus
- 3rd Place: Isabel Hernandez from Lincoln
- Winners from the Second Congressional District:
- 1st Place: Ashleigh Hopp from Springfield
- 2nd Place: Abby Lovely from Omaha
- 3rd Place: Paige Brabec from Omaha
- Winners from the Third Congressional District:
- 1st Place: Bentley McHargue from Central City
- 2nd Place: Jettlyn Pierson from Arcadia
- 3rd Place: Rowdie Lynch from Callaway
- Winners from Out of State:
- 1st Place: Alexandria Danielle Hain from Fort Rucker, Ala.
- 2nd Place: Matthew Jones from Houston, Tex.
- 3rd Place: Brecken Booth from Bloomington, Ill.
- Military Appreciation Night – May 16
- The Storm Chasers celebrated military veterans in the community and donated 340 tickets through First Responders Foundation, the Corporal Daegan Page Foundation, 50 Mile March, and the VA Hospital for the game against the Toledo Mud Hens.
- Red Cross Blood Drive – May 26
- Volunteers showed up to Werner Park to donate blood and forward the American Red Cross’ mission of ensuring access to lifesaving blood around the nation.
- Second Jersey Auction (Runza® themed jersey) – May 30
- Game-worn Runza®s jerseys were worn on May 30 and auctioned off in-stadium … 15% of sales from Runza® merchandise will also be donated.
- The auction will benefit the Food Bank of the Heartland, whose mission is to provide food to those in Nebraska and western Iowa to ultimately eliminate hunger in our communities.
Notable Mascot Appearances made in January/February
7 mascot appearances took place in January and February as Stormy and friends appeared at the following events and locations: OPS/SONE Winter Fellowship Games, Bodies RC Couple Shuffle, Pinnacle Bank Grand Opening, Horizon High School Career Fair, Harvey Oaks Elementary and Franklin Elementary Booster Club.
Notable Mascot Appearances made in March
27 mascot appearances took place in March as Stormy and friends appeared at the following events and locations: Walk and Roll, Jefferson Elementary, Hitchcock Elementary, Rumsey Station Elementary, Sherman Elementary, Central Park Elementary, Central Park Elementary, Wake Robin Elementary, Norris Elementary, Reeder Elementary, Peter Sarpy Elementary, Avery Elementary, Rue Elementary, Willowdale Elementary, Franklin Elementary CBCSD, Carter Lake Elementary, Community Bridges Homeless Services, Bancroft Elementary, Bodies RC Time to Paddy, Sports For Kids Auction, Omaha Supernovas Game, Masters Elementary, Reagan Elementary, Ponca Elementary, Holling Heights Elementary, Mockingbird Elementary and Jackson’s Jog.
Notable Mascot Appearances made in April
16 mascot appearances took place in April as Stormy and friends appeared at the following events and locations: Omaha Supernovas Mascot Reveal, Donate Life Blue & Green Day Celebration, Benson Little League, Wedding, OPS/SONE Spring Fellowship Games, The Cure Starts Now, Grover Little League Check Presentation, American Lung Association Corporate Cup, Wheeler Elementary Assembly, Sunny Slope Career Day, Prairie Queen Fun Run, Gretna Guardian Run, Papillion Baseball Opening Ceremonies, Hy-Vee Springtime Party, Brian Smith Open House and St. Thomas More Check Presentation.
Notable Mascot Appearances made in May
22 mascot appearances took place in May as Stormy and friends appeared at the following events and locations: Echos Check Presentation, Peter Sarpy Elementary – High Five Friday, St. Pius/St. Leo, Greater Omaha AFCEA 5k, Blair Optimists Club Bicycle Rodeo, Trucks & Taps Toddler Dance Party, Elite Learning Academy Blondo, Elite Learning Academy Tiburon, Sarpy County/ESU#3 Head Start, Elite Learning Academy Gretna, Elite Learning Academy Oak Street, Children’s Hospital, St. Bernard School Field Day, American heart Association, New Horizon Academy Open House, Elementary Field Day, Jocelyn’s Grad Party, Dinner, 3rd-5th, Offutt AFB Picnic, La Vista Days Parade and Museum.