2026 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS June/July 2026 Page 27 and food pantry donations. These fundraisers include summer cookouts, a Henry Rifle raffle, and a hog raffle. Mike served as a trustee on the Village of Emden Board of Trustees and eventually as mayor. As mayor, Mike ensured that Emden was a safe and clean place to live. He helped with town-wide clean-up days on hot summer days and hung the town's Christmas lights in the winter. He kept a watchful eye on the village to make it a safe place to live. Another well-known project that Mike organizes each year is Emden’s Angel Tree. The Angel Tree program was started by Derek Johnson and Mike’s wife, Laura Kavanaugh, when the Country Companies office was still in town. This also served as the first Toys for Tots collection point in Emden. After the Country office closed, Mike and Laura continued the tradition of helping children at Christmas time. Now, they set up Christmas trees in local businesses that contain angels with a general description of the child and their wish list. Community members then select their angels and purchase Christmas gifts. They return with gifts, and Mike and Laura deliver those gifts to the children. Locally, they help provide Christmas gifts for between 50 and 75 children each year. Several current, and former, Emden residents will readily confirm the characteristics that make Mike a hometown hero. Brent Chapman of Emden, a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post #506, says Mike has been tireless in his efforts to keep the American Legion post in Emden alive. Chapman added, “He supports local veterans by helping them with any issues they may have.” He noted that Mike supported the community by serving as mayor. Legion member James Boerma of Emden said that he admires Mike’s dedication to veterans and his friends. He said that Mike has always worked hard to ensure Emden veterans receive their final salute with an honor guard and in other Legion events. He said Mike is a true and good friend who is always there to help. Jorene Boerma of Emden, who has known Mike for well over 20 years, said that Mike is always there to help. He has assisted with family emergencies, car troubles, and cat troubles. Jorene shared a story about Mike helping the family when one of their mischievous cats got stuck in a floor vent when the cover malfunctioned and the cat went exploring. She said they searched and searched for the cat, and finally saw her peek out from the vent, but she ran right back down.
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