Pender TeamMates Mentoring Program

10/13/2026

Thank you Elkhorn TeamMates for sharing this story - so incredibly powerful!

Will you be the next one to help carry on his legacy?

We didn’t recruit these four mentors.
One night in Lincoln did. ❤️

On September 19, they went to watch the Huskers play North Dakota.

They stayed to see Nebraska honor Dr. Tom Osborne, who founded TeamMates with his wife, Nancy.

Then they went their separate ways, and that same weekend, each one applied to become a mentor.

This morning, all four walked into the same Elkhorn TeamMates training and found out they had shared the same night.

Four came to the game. Four left to carry on his legacy. Four students will soon have mentors.

Welcome to TeamMates.

Most people wait for a sign. These four took one.

If you’ve been waiting, consider this yours. 👉 Visit teammates.org and choose the Elkhorn, NE chapter.

📸 Nebraska Huskers

Nebraska Huskers

10/13/2026

Today we’re celebrating William, a mentor who truly models what it means to make time for what matters!

Between family life with young kids and his work at Sunrise Foods International, William carves out one of his lunch breaks every week to meet with his mentee. Plus, we love that he and a coworker hold each other accountable as "mentoring buddies"—proving that mentorship is even better when you have a colleague encouraging you to step away from the desk!

Thank you for being such a steady, positive role model, William!

Leave your birthday wishes for William in the comments! 👇🎂

10/12/2026

Stickers are back at Positive Vibes Coffee Shop in Pender!! Don't forget to tag us in your picture to be entered into our drawing.

How to participate:
1) Grab your favorite daily treat at Positive Vibes Coffee Shop.
2) Snap a photo of your drink and the TeamMates sticker on your cup.
3) Post it and tag Pender TeamMates to be entered into a special prize drawing!
Thinking about mentoring? Scan the QR code on the sticker to learn more and apply! Anyone who submits a mentor application between October 1st and October 31st will be entered to win TeamMates swag!

10/08/2026

Update: Your love of coffee is more than the number of stickers we got - which is amazing! More stickers should be here by early next week but everyone needs pampered by Positive Vibes before then - so let them make your morning wake up drink!!

Big love to Positive Vibes Coffee Shop for your support of Pender TeamMates! ☕️

We currently have 10 students waiting for a mentor. By sharing your daily cup, you’re helping us find our next great mentor—or maybe you'll realize you're the one we've been looking for all along! 😊

How to participate:

1) Grab your favorite daily treat at Positive Vibes Coffee Shop.

2) Snap a photo of your drink and the TeamMates sticker on your cup.

3) Post it and tag Pender TeamMates to be entered into a special prize drawing!

Thinking about mentoring? Scan the QR code on the sticker to learn more and apply! Anyone who submits a mentor application between October 1st and October 31st will be entered to win TeamMates swag!

Let's see how far these stickers travel around town! Thank you for supporting our kids and our community, Positive Vibes! 🙌

10/05/2026

Help us celebrate a truly amazing mentor today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATT! 🎉🎈

Since January 2015, Matt has been giving his time and heart to Pender TeamMates. From guiding his first mentee from 5th grade straight through to graduation day, to building another fantastic match over the past 3 years—Matt’s consistency is second to none!

We are so grateful for leaders like Matt who help our students thrive.

Leave your birthday wishes for Matt in the comments below! 👇🎁

10/02/2026

☀️ The sun is out! The rain has stopped! And it’s Friday! 🎉

We also have some pretty amazing community members who purchased games and activities for our matches! 🙌

Thank you so much for your supporting! We are incredibly grateful for your generosity! ❤️

10/01/2026

Happy National Principals Month! 🍎📚

Pender TeamMates is incredibly proud to celebrate and honor our amazing principals, Mrs. Kelly Bartling Ballinger and Mr. Luke Hoffman. Every student deserves an extra layer of support, and that begins with strong leadership in our halls. Mrs. Ballinger and Mr. Hoffman go above and beyond to foster a school environment where mentoring is valued and supported. Because of their vision, our Pender TeamMates matches have a wonderful space to grow, learn, and succeed together.

Thank you, Mrs. Ballinger and Mr. Hoffman, for inspiring students, supporting our local mentors, and for being champions of the TeamMates mission in our community. Your impact is truly invaluable!

09/30/2026

This simple but powerful statement from a 5th grade mentee captures what mentoring is all about.

A mentor is someone who listens, encourages, and shows up consistently. Through every challenge, success, and milestone, mentors help students feel supported and valued.

Relationships like these are changing lives every day, and it all starts with one caring adult choosing to be there.

Interested in making a difference in a student's life? Learn more about becoming a mentor today at TeamMates.org!

09/28/2026

Fresh Games = Big Smiles for Our Matches! 🎲♟️

Did you know that playing board games, playing cards, putting puzzles together, and crafting are some of the favorite ways our TeamMates matches connect each week?

We’ve put together an Amazon Wishlist filled with fun new games and activities to keep our matches smiling and connecting all year long.

👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3NVJMJWF4TSP7?ref_=wl_share

A HUGE thank you in advance to our amazing Pender community for always supporting our youth and helping us make mentoring time the best part of the school week! ❤️

09/25/2026

Help us wish a very Happy Birthday to Brandi! 🥳🎂

As the music teacher at Pender Public Schools and a busy mom of two active girls, Brandi already hits all the right notes in our community. But she still finds time every week to sit down over lunch with her mentee, listen, and champion their strengths.

Having another caring adult in your corner makes all the difference, and we are so grateful Brandi chooses to share her time with TeamMates.

Drop some birthday wishes for Brandi in the comments below! 👇🎉