Donation Honors Coach's Newborn Sons

Pre-game Donation to The Nebraska Medical Center Honors Coach's Newborn Sons

Omaha, Neb. - Compassion may upstage competition Saturday night at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City. The Sioux City Bandits indoor football team kicks off its April 1 match-up against the Omaha Beef with a show of support for head coach Jose Jefferson.

Pre-game Donation to The Nebraska Medical Center Honors Coach's Newborn Sons

At 7:05 p.m., Bandits general manager Bob Scott will take to the field to present a check for $500 to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. A second $500 check will be given to St. Luke's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Sioux City. The two donations honor a miraculous pair - Coach Jefferson's twin sons.

Jeremiah and Jonas Jefferson were born March 4, 2006, four months before their due date.. Each weighed only a little more than a pound. The babies are receiving extraordinary care at The Nebraska Medical Center's new state-of-the-art NICU which has become a home away from home for the Jefferson's.

"The doctors and nurses have all been incredible. It's been so overwhelming, we just can't say enough about them," said mom Kari Jefferson. "We've also received an enormous amount of support from the Bandits' organization and the Sioux City community."

For now, the family takes things day by day - marveling in treasured moments with their tiny sons and relying on faith to help them cope with the emotional ups and downs. Coach Jefferson is currently splitting his time between three cities. Omaha - where the boys are hospitalized; Sioux City . where the Bandits are based; and Lincoln where he serves as the head varsity football coach at Lincoln High School and assists with the in-school suspension program and school security.

The crowd can also lend a hand Saturday night by adding cash to a contributions bucket located at the Fan Information Center. All proceeds will be split between the Omaha and Sioux City NICUs.

Media coverage of Saturday night's check presentation is welcomed. The Tyson Event Center is located at 401 Gordon Drive in Sioux City.