Kroc Center Omaha Lights Up the Night to Speak Hope Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Apr 8, 2020

With the flip of a switch on the evening of Monday, April 6, the Kroc Center Omaha’s 144,000-square-foot building lit up the night with a brilliant display of lights, shining as a beacon of hope amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Kroc Center partnered with Omaha-based Heroes Holiday Lighting to decorate the exterior of the building with thousands of holiday lights. The goal of the initiative – coined Operation Kroc: SPEAK HOPE – is to encourage the entire community to participate by turning on a porch light or decorating homes and businesses with extra lights. The lights will illuminate the darkness from April 6 through the evening of April 12, Easter Sunday.

“The need for light and hope has never been greater across our country,” said Capt. John Gantner of Kroc Center Omaha. Operation Kroc: SPEAK HOPE is well-aligned with the Kroc’s mission, which is to stimulate the mind, body and spirit and to transform the life of every person who visits, said Capt. Gantner.

Though the Kroc Center is closed to the public due to COVID-19, the lights help remind those who drive by that there is still a light in the darkness. “The disciple John said it best in his gospel,” said Capt. Gantner. “‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ Jesus is our light and our hope.”

“Heroes Holiday Lighting is proud and excited to help light up the Kroc Center,” said co-owner Taylor Olberding. “The lights help families take their mind off current events, even for a little bit, and remind us that by everyone working together, we will get through these tough times to better days ahead.” 

Heroes Holiday Lighting donated both the lights and the staff time needed to set up the display at Kroc Center Omaha.

After Easter Sunday, Kroc Center Omaha will continue to convey the SPEAK HOPE message via digital communications.

Learn more about The Salvation Army’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the local community. Donate to The Salvation Army’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.


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