White Bus for Better Futures™ Programs

Character Building Learning Experiences

Our programs are inspired by educational programs and exhibits at
Red Cross Oslo, Norway, Malmo Museum, Sweden and The National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen.
The Swedish Red Cross White Bus Rescue Action

White Bus Rescue Action
- presentation

“How a Jar of Potato Salad led to the rescue of 15,500 Holocaust victims”

Looking at the past and learning from the emerging future

Workshop for
students of all ages

Character-building learning experience promoting social, intercultural and civic competencies.

Wanda Hjort Heger

Wanda Hjort-Heger
- an ordinary hero

Interview with Wanda who created a life-changing outcome for thousands of humans in need.

Ravensbrück We who lived there

Ravensbrück
We who lived there

Sheds light on the personal experiences of then recently liberated Holocaust survivors.

Community Partnership

Florida Gulf Coast University

Wilson G. Bradshaw Library, Florida Gulf Coast University

Archives and Special Collections & Center for Holocaust and Genocide Research

Projects we have contributed to:

Florida Gulf Coast University’s
Wilson G. Bradshaw Library presents:
To Life: The Liberation of Ravensbrück

Lund University Library's Witnessing genocide:
A unique collection of source material from the survivors of Ravensbrück and other Nazi concentration camps

Ordinary Heroes. Compassion as driving force

Wanda Hjort Heger

Wanda Hjort Heger

Her compassionate actions of delivering jars of potato salad to hungry prisoners resulted in a list of names. The list became the roadmap that led to the rescue of thousands from multiple Concentration camps.

Folke-Bernadotte-red-cross-uniform

Folke Bernadotte

Using his diplomacy skills and as the Vice President of the Swedish Red Cross he negotiated with Heinrich Himmler. Together with the list of names from Wanda he organized the White Bus Rescue Action.

Sven Allard Karl Karlsson

Sven Allard & Karl Karlsson

They volunteered for a humanitarian mission as drivers. Sven and Karl met the victims with a smile and a friendly face and treated them as human beings. A difference is made when people take action.

Zygmunt Lakocinski

Zygmunt Lakocinski

A lecturer at Lund University, he had the insight to record the survivor’s stories upon arrival to Sweden.The interviews shed light on the personal experiences and the human dimensions of life in the Concentration camps.

Your donation is highly appreciated

White Bus for Better Futures Character-building learning experiences

Impact

Your donation to Better Futures Foundation is highly appreciated.

For greater impact, we use your gift where it can do the most good by pooling it with the gifts of others.
Learn More

We are Better Futures Foundation

Richard Ohlsson President Better Futures Foundation

Richard Ohlsson

President

Co-Creator White Bus for Better Futures™ Programs
Ever since I was introduced to the White Bus Rescue Action, which took place in the spring of 1945, I have seen the positive impact on people from all walks of life affected by the White Buses - both in the past and the present.

My goal with Better Futures is to bring the symbol of the White Buses to students of all ages in the United States. To engage and inspire how we can all be Ordinary Heroes and make an extraordinary difference.

I just know it will greatly improve our planet for generations to come!

Bibi Ohlsson Vice President Better Futures Foundation

Bibi Ohlsson

Vice President

Co-Creator White Bus for Better Futures™ Programs
A jar of potato salad led to the rescue of thousands of Holocaust victims. It is a clear example that finding a way and small acts of kindness might turn into life-changing outcomes for thousands in need.

I hope the inspiration in the stories of the Ordinary Heroes in our programs can contribute to creating a ripple effect in our community - a ripple effect of wanting the best for others; empathy, inclusiveness, and compassion.

May it inspire you to find ways to use your strengths and greatest qualities to make a difference—one small step at a time.

martin-lakocinski

Martin Lakocinski

Board Member

“I first met Richard Ohlsson in Lund in 2016, at which time he introduced me to the Better Futures Foundation. I was impressed by the inspiration that had motivated him and Bibi to engage so completely in this project.

Also, the connection to the White Buses is something I strongly identify with, primarily through the activities of my late father during and after WW II. I am honored to receive an invitation to join the Board of the Foundation and hope to be able to contribute to the aspirations of this worthy cause.”

Neil-Spirtas-Better-Futures-Foundation

Neil Spirtas

Board Member

“ After retiring from the Chamber of Commerce in 2015, my goal was to work on a few worthwhile causes, of my choosing. In a place, with my skillset, where I could really make a difference on a grand scale.
Shortly thereafter, I learned about the atrocities of the Ravensbruck concentration camp whereby Jews and non-Jews were persecuted for their gender, religion and political reasons during the Holocaust.
Due to the anti-Semitism in Europe at the time and to never have these heinous crimes aimed at mankind from happening again, I have gladly joined this most worthwhile educational endeavor!”

uri-smajovits

Uri Smajovits

Board Member

My passion for White Bus for Better Futures stems from being a child of two Holocaust survivors and seeing these amazing and brave rescue efforts gives me hope in humanity triumphing over evil.

Fast forward to today I feel inspired and privileged by the leadership of Richard and Bibi Ohlsson who have so whole heartedly championed this cause without having had any relatives lost in the Holocaust – their selflessness is heart warming and contagious!

Get in Touch with Better Futures Foundation

Contact info:

Richard Ohlsson, President   Cell: (941) 315-5125   Mail: [email protected]

Post address:  Better Futures Foundation Inc, P O Box 5072, Sarasota, FL. 34277

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