An Omaha restaurateur will be remembered next week at a benefit for the American Lung Association.

He started a popular, local restaurant because it was his wife's dream and to his family, he was a pillar of strength with a positive attitude. Last February, 50-year-old Michael Kaplinger, the owner of Sprigs at 88th and Maple died of lung cancer. The chefs are getting ready for a wine tasting to raise money for the American Lung Association. It's a benefit with a personal side. "He was an amazing man, very, very strong," said daughter Rae Suverkrubbe. "He had no doubt he was the one that was going to beat this, he was going to be the survivor. It is very difficult to not be able to help somebody going through that, to have absolutely no power to do anything." The benefit is her way of doing something. "I think it's going to go over fantastically with the selection of wine, and then the entertainment. We have some gentlemen from the Confidentials coming out."

Sprigs moved down the road last September. The family has held onto the original eatery in the heart of Benson and it's used for banquets and big events, like the upcoming benefit. "It's going to be five wines," said Rae. Each paired with a dish to raise dollars in honor of the man who made this restaurant a reality.

The benefit is Thursday, May 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 a person and can be purchased through the American Lung Association at 572-3030, or at Sprigs.