You may have heard the phrase Nebraska Nice.
One community is proving just how nice it is.
It is giving back to a man who's devoted his life to helping others.

B.J. Fictum is a familiar name to many in Saline County.

He's been serving the community for more than 20 years, covering sports for small-town papers, working as the emergency management director and acting as a member of the fair board.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, complications from diabetes has left Fictum wheelchair bound with his medical bills piling up.

Now the community's lending him a hand.

It organized a pancake feed.

Hundreds of people in Wilber and surrounding towns came out for the free breakfast and donated to benefit Fictum.

The feed was followed by a silent auction, a bake sale and a dance with special entertainment.

Fictum says he is in awe of how generous the community is.

"I go back to that word humbling, because that means people have appreciated what you've done and care enough to care about you. In this day and age, sometimes that doesn't happen," said B.J. Fictum.

The money raised will help defer thousands of dollars in Fictum's medical costs.

Fictum says he has been in and out of the hospital for the past 27 months and has had more than 75 casts on his foot.

If you would like to donate email wilberrepublican@windstream.net.