Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE

The Dec. 30 ice storm millions of dollars in damage in central Nebraska. Photo courtesy Mike Hollingshead

Mayor's Relief Fund Helps Storm Victims in Need

As freezing temperatures and crippling ice grips the nation, the children of Boys Town are there to help.

"We needed to do something," said Traci Ramos, Mayor of the Village of Boys Town.

The first massive ice storm struck central Nebraska Dec. 30 - knocking down trees, snapping power lines, and endangering livestock. Hundreds of homes went without power for more two weeks in the area President Bush declared a major disaster. Early estimates of the overall damage totaled $200 million dollars.

Traci Ramos Mayor Village of Boys Town

Ramos, 16, saw the devastation and knew she had to find a way to provide some relief for the people most affected by the storm.

"So many don't have power and need help," said Ramos, who serves as the representative for youth in the organization. With help from her Boys Town Family-Teachers and staff, Ramos established the Mayor's Relief Fund to provide aid to victims of the storm. The fund's first collection raised more than $800 in a single day.

"Quite a few kids want to donate," said Ramos. "They come up to me and say, 'Traci I have my money.'" It's a giving spirit that severely at-risk, abused, abandoned and neglected children learn at Boys Town.

Money collected in the fund will be distributed through the American Red Cross.