8 families are lauded

Eight families will be honored for their community service and family strength at Heartland Family Service’s two Salute to Families celebrations.

An event for four southwest Iowa families will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children.

Four Omaha families will be celebrated from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Happy Hollow Club, 1701 S. 105th St. Tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children.

WOWT news anchor John Knicely will be master of ceremonies at both events, which include dinner and an awards program.

Salute to Families was started in 1982 to recognize outstanding metro-area families. Family Service emphasizes that the honorees, who have been nominated by the public, are not perfect families but are families that “embody all the struggles and triumphs that make up daily family life.”

They are divided into four categories: community service, leadership, challenged and successful, and commitment to family.

This year’s honorees:

Community Service, Omaha — Myrna K. Red Owl learned hard work, responsibility and Native American culture from her Winnebago/Santee Sioux parents. As an adult, Red Owl educated herself on issues and politics that affect her family and people, and became an outspoken advocate. She has passed on her sense of community service to her niece and her niece’s two children, who live with Red Owl.

Leadership, Omaha — Jodie and Bill Mackintosh have supported and provided leadership in numerous city organizations, and they have become firmly entrenched in Omaha’s volunteer and philanthropic community. Their children and employees at the Mackintoshes’ company, American Title Inc., also are involved in community projects.

Challenged and Successful, Omaha — Ehite Allison, a single mother of five, is driven by a desire to succeed as an individual and as a parent. She has made progress in spite of the challenges of a low income, neighborhood crime and prejudice. Goals she has met include giving up welfare and earning an associate’s degree at Metropolitan Community College. She also has worked to instill in her children the idea of helping others less fortunate.

Commitment to Family, Omaha — After several years of trying to have children, Angie and Jeff Busch decided to apply to be foster parents. From there, it was a short step to adoption. Twelve children later, the Busches are a multi-ethnic example of a loving, sharing family. They are able to teach respect, tolerance and understanding by example.

Community Service, Iowa — The Betty Schmidt family of Treynor is headed by a widow who, with her late husband, Ozzie, taught her children and grandchildren to reach out to others, to always help in whatever way they can. They all have tried to do just that by being involved in community and church activities.

Leadership, Iowa — The Sandra and Alan Byers family of Council Bluffs is widely known in the city. Alan Byers is fire chief and Sandy Byers is an operations director at Mercy Hospital. Both are involved in or leaders of numerous community organizations. Their four children have followed in their parents’ footsteps.

Challenged and Successful, Iowa — The Yolanda and Ruben Mendoza family of Council Bluffs came to the city from Mexico, where Ruben Mendoza was a pastor. They were invited to the Bluffs by Broadway United Methodist Church to lead its Spanish-speaking ministry. The family has remained strong and overcome obstacles to carry on this mission.

Commitment to Family, Iowa — Janice and LeRoy Cobia of Council Bluffs say their four children are their proudest achievement, but others have profited from their good deeds. They have volunteered at least 500 hours a year in their church and have taken leadership roles in various groups and activities. The couple always make it a priority to do things as a family. Their children have passed on this commitment to 12 grandchildren.

For Salute to Families ticket information, call 553-3000 in Omaha and 322-1407 in Council Bluffs. More information is available at www.heartlandfamilyservice.org.