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Click below to nominate a family for the 2013 awards:
2012 Honored Families Include:
Posted November 8
Heartland Family Service honored four families in Council Bluffs on Thursday night. Omaha families will be honored next week.
Commitment to Family: Ruby and Bruce Bentley Family
Challenged and Successful Family: Darla and Tim Johnson Family
Community Service Family: Sharon and Bill Ballenger Family
Leadership Family: Liz and Scott Doll Family
Organizers stressed that these four families are not perfect, but are representatives of strong families.
Heartland Family Service put it this way on its website: "Honored families reflect the variety of family life in our community, and may include any family structure; including two parents or single parents, blended or extended families, foster or adoptive families. They may be of any ancestry, of any socioeconomic status, and of any religious belief."
The Iowa ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 8, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mid-America Conference Center, One Arena Way, in Council Bluffs. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for children. Call (712) 435-5350 for ticket information.
The Omaha ceremony will be held Thursday, November 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Happy Hollow Club, 1701 South 105 Street in Omaha. Tickets are $40.00 for adults and $15.00 for children. Call (402) 553-3000 for ticket information.
In addition to honoring families, a Family Advocate Award will be presented at the Omaha event to an individual who has demonstrated direct action in services or issues that strengthen families.
WOWT is a proud sponsor of the events. Anchor John Knicely will serve as master of ceremonies at both.
“As an agency that seeks to strengthen families, the Salute to Families event provides hope and inspiration for everyone,” said John Jeanetta, Heartland Family Service president and CEO. “Despite imperfections, stunning achievements and the seemingly cruel crises life sometimes throws our way, there are families in our midst who have remained strong despite it all, who have channeled their gratitude into serving the community and a higher purpose, and who provide an example we can learn from and emulate.”
The Heartland Family Service Salute to Families award program was established in 1982 to provide a positive message about family life. Nominations for the Salute to Families awards are submitted by the general public.
