History

Click to see Merrymakers in action: Songs and Smiles

The Merrymakers Association began serving the seniors in nursing homes in 1986. A local entertainer met with a group of Omaha businessmen to form Merrymakers’ mission of bringing music and laughter to seniors. Many facilities have a budget for activities for their residents, however, the budget is often limited. The cost of providing quality entertainment can use up most of the activities budget. Volunteers are a blessing but Merrymakers provides the special something that senior audiences deserve. Many facilities have also noticed a dramatic decline in the number of musicians available to provide entertainment for their residents.

In 1986, eight nursing homes were given ten performances for the year.

Slowly this dream to provide the elderly and seniors with musical entertainment began to grow. Each year, more and more residents receive the benefit of Merrymakers’ free entertainment.

Today, Merrymakers serves more than 40,000 elderly and seniors with free, musical entertainment annually.

In 2012, more than 100 facilities received Merrymakers musical programming.

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History of Honorees at the
Merrymakers
Annual Roast

1991 Governor Ben Nelson
1992 Chancellor Del Weber
1993 Senator Bob Kerrey
1994 Mr. Chip Davis
1995 Dr. Lee Simmons
1996 Senator J. James Exon
1997 Mr. Walter Scott, Jr.
1998 Reverend Michael G. Morrison
1999 Mr. Bruce Lauritzen
2000 Mr. Michael Yanney
2001 Senator Chuck Hagel
2002 Mr. Ken Stinson
2003 Coach Dana Altman
2004 Mrs. Mary Maxwell
2005 Mr. Mike Fahey
2006 Mr. David Sokol
2007 Mr. Dick Holland
2008 Mr. Mogens Bay
2009 Ms. Susan Jacques
2010 Mr. Bruce Rasmussen
2011 Mr. John P. Nelson
2012 Mr. Sid Dinsdale