Why Lanterns of Hope exists

Childhood cancer sucks.
And it’s expensive.

We make sure the bills are not the fight.

Lanterns of Hope is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the financial aid of families fighting childhood cancer.

Our mission is to provide immediate financial support to families fighting childhood cancer.

Our Vision

Is to be a reliable, constant, and caring source of hope and peace that relieves, and ultimately stops, the financial drain on families fighting childhood cancer.

We Value:

Simplicity

Straightforwardness

Relief & Ease For All

Immediacy

“It Takes a Village” Mindset

Lanterns of Hope is governed by a non-political, volunteer Board of Directors.

The Board meets monthly in Omaha, Nebraska.

2026 Board of Directors

  • Andrew Galvin

    President

  • Pat Billings

    Secretary / Treasurer

  • Al Penner

    Board Member

  • Connie Mansfield

    Board Member

  • Dick Raasch

    Board Member

  • Grant Pille

    Board Member

  • Hank Schwarz

    Board Member

  • Jerry Bexten

    Board Member

  • Linda Wheeler

    Board Member

  • Margaret Jaeckel

    Board Member

  • Mark Scheetz

    Board Member

  • Tanya Shaul

    Board Member

  • Trent Pearce

    Board Member

  • Sue Kinney Wieland

    Advisor

Our History, Rooted in Optimism:

2004

Local Optimist Clubs joined Optimist International’s $1 million pledge to Johns Hopkins for childhood cancer research.

2006

Three couples—Al and Sue Penner, Connie and Marvin Wastell, and Chuck and Connie Mansfield—created a local, informal organization called Metro Area Youth Foundation to support childhood cancer.

April 2, 2008

MAYF gained 501(c)(3) status. Before this designation, MAYF operated through the Star City Youth Foundation.

2008-2020s

MAYF expanded family assistance through gas cards, direct financial support, an oncology playroom pledge at Children’s Hospital, and multiple camp partnerships, and continued growing through Optimist Club relationships, community fundraising, and annual events.

2026

MAYF rebrands as Lanterns of Hope (LoH). With even greater clarity, LoH continues to empower the fight against childhood cancer with immediate financial support for families.

See what we do & how it works

What We Do