For Art Zygielbaum, supporting Civic Nebraska is deeply personal.

Art’s parents were Holocaust survivors. His mother was only 16 when the Nazis took over her small town in Poland. She and her sister were sent to a slave labor camp. Other members of her family were taken to death camps and murdered. His father lost his first wife and son to the Nazis before escaping to fight in the underground.

Their story shaped how Art thinks about freedom, democracy, and the responsibility each generation has to protect both.

“My wife, Chris, and I support Civic Nebraska because we believe the strength of our democracy depends most of all on the knowledge, caring, and wisdom of our citizens,” Art shared.

That belief is at the heart of Civic Nebraska’s work. Across the state, we help Nebraskans learn how democracy works, understand their rights, participate in elections, and build stronger connections in their communities. Through civic education, civic health, and civic action, we work to make sure people of all ages have the tools and confidence to take part in public life.

For Art and Chris, that work offers hope.

“By protecting our voting rights, educating young and old about democracy and our freedoms, Civic Nebraska gives us hope,” Art said.

Their Give to Lincoln Day support is about more than one organization. It is about investing in the kind of informed, engaged, and caring communities that help democracy last.

As Art put it, “Donating to Civic Nebraska is a donation to the state and nation we love and the way of life that defines us.”

This Give to Lincoln Day, you can join Art and Chris in supporting civic education, civic health, and civic action across Nebraska.