Giving & Volunteering

With 83 Runza Restaurants and three Braeda Fresh Express Cafes in Nebraska, you can hardly go anywhere without seeing Runza's green and yellow. Beyond their entrepreneurial presence, though, you will see their philanthropic involvement, as well. With sponsorships and donations supporting literacy, the American Cancer Society, various area sports teams and multiple non-profit organizations, Runza likes to provide support locally whenever possible. "The groundwork my father laid building the business has allowed us to participate in the community in a lot of ways," said Runza President Donald Everett, Jr.

At Madonna, Runza supported the Madonna@50 Capital Campaign as a Major Donor, but their support extends beyond writing a check. When Carl Sjulin, President of West Gate Bank and husband of Runza Vice President Renee Everett Sjulin, served on the Madonna Foundation Board, he introduced the Everetts to the work at Madonna, specifically in the Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering.

"We were not aware of the level of research and care that Madonna was doing right here in Lincoln." Everett, Jr. said.

Runza's involvement began with annual gifts and has expanded to include in-kind gifts of chili and cinnamon rolls for Madonna's St. Benedict Society Chili Cookoff, Runza Sandwiches for a long-term residents' luncheon, volunteer time from their employees, and Donald has since served on the Madonna Foundation Board. He and his wife, Jill, are currently Foundation Trustees.

"I don't think most people know what an economic impact Madonna has in this community," Donald said. "And it is a non-profit, doing good work, so everyone benefits."