Approximately 100 people participated in the Grand Opening Event on Nov. 19 to celebrate the merger of People United For Families and Partners for Otoe County. 
   Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce led a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by award presentations.  Arbor Bank received the Organization of the Year Award for 2009.  Norman and Alma Rohlfing of Talmage received the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Nebraska City Community Foundation received this year’s Catalyst for Change Award. 
   Outgoing board members Cheryl Hill and Dan Kelly were also recognized at the event.  Cheryl Hill was one of the original board members for People United For Families in 1987 and Kelly has served on the board since 2005.  Kelly complimented the community for its outstanding volunteerism and said he was very proud to live in Nebraska City. 
   People United for Families is a community-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1987 by local human service providers to assist the growth of children and families in Otoe County.  The mission of People United For Families is to enhance the quality of lives of children and families through the promotion of programs, services, and resources in Otoe County. 
   Partners for Otoe County (P4OC) is a local grass roots community coalition established in 2006 to maximize community resources, monetary and human, while creating positive change and improving the health and quality of life for people of all ages who live, work, attend school in and visit Otoe County.    
   The corporate name will continue to be People United for Families, Inc. and the mission statement is the same, but the organization will now do business under the trade name of Partners for Otoe County.  People United For Families moved its offices to the new family resource center called Nebraska City Center for Children & Families, at 917 Wildwood Lane, in May 2009.  
   Programs and services offered by Partners for Otoe County include: TeamMates Mentoring, Study Buddies Tutoring, After School Clubs, Parents and Communities Together (PACT) Substance Abuse Prevention, Juvenile Diversion, Youth as Resources Service Learning, Safe Homes Parent Network, Otoe County CASA, Growing Great Kids and the SAIL Youth Leadership Program.  
   The Board of Directors for Partners for Otoe County, elected in Sept. 2009, include:  Kathy Kaufman, Chairperson; Betty Stoll, Vice-Chair; Dale Haverty, Secretary-Treasurer; Brooke Chaney; Brian Hoover; Kay Kiechel White; Steve Lade; Don Loseke; Joe Mullarkey; Tim Noerrlinger; Kay Oestmann; Yolanda Peck; Sarah Purcell; Traci Reuter; Ben Rice; Teri Stukenholtz; and Tammi Thompson. 
   For more information, please call Jacki Schmitz, Executive Director, at 873-6343 or visit www.peopleunitedforfamilies.org online.