Agenda
Introduction
Jeff Spiehs, SONA President
Host Welcome
Spencer Crews, Executive Director
Lauritzen Gardens
Opening Remarks
Jean Stothert, Mayor of Omaha
Scholarship Award Presentation
Invocation
A/Captain John Gartner, Kroc Center
Buffet Dinner
Keynote Speaker
Ariel Roblin, KETV/Hearst Television
Community Award Presentation
SONA Community Service Award
SONA Project of Merit
SONA Lifetime Achievement Award
Closing Remarks
Jeff Spiehs, SONA President
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Spring Lake
Neighborhood
Association
About our Speaker:
Ariel Roblin serves as the President and General Manager of KETV, a Hearst ABC
Affiliate. KETV is Omahas leading news station and has earned multiple awards
during Ariels time as President and General Manager, including two National Edward
R Murrow Awards. Recently, Ariel led the charge to bring the 117 year old, Historic
Burlington Train Station back to life after 40 years of vacancy. This project earned
several national, state, and local awards including the 2016 Nebraska Preservation
Award. Ariel places a strong emphasis on community improvement and is happy to
call Omaha home. She is the very proud mother of two boys and together with her
husband is also an avid supporter of the arts.
SONA Community Service Award: Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON)
JFON-Nebraska is a nonprofit organization welcoming immigrants into our
communities. The attorneys provide free, professional legal services to low-income
immigrants in weekly consultations and monthly legal clinics held at host partner
locations. JFON also offer presentations on immigration issues to the community as
well as opportunities to advocate for immigrant rights.
Project of Merit: Little Bohemia Neighborhood Commons
Little Bohemia Neighborhood Commons was constructed in September 2016. It serves
as a space to encourage community collaboration and neighborhood connectedness.
Its creation was made possible through partnerships with Deer Park Neighborhood
Association, Habitat for Humanity Omaha, Lowes, and residents of South 14th Street.
Little Bo strives to be a visually impressive neighborhood space while remaining
low-maintenance and self-sustaining.
SONA Lifetime Achievement Award: Garry Gernandt
Garry Gernandt has been serving Omaha for 51 years. Garry began serving in the
Omaha Police Department from 1969 and retired in 2000. After retiring from the
Omaha Police Department Garry was elected to serve in the City Council to represent
District 5. Garry is one of only two Omaha Council members to serve for 4 consecutive
terms in office. As South Omaha looks ahead, it is through the sustained commitment
to serve and leadership of Garry that will have long lasting impact in the lives of
residents of South Omaha and beyond.
Omaha
Neighborhood
Leaders The Omaha Lead Registry is an
interactive map that shows a record of
activities associated with the Omaha
Lead Superfund Site and lead-based
paint hazards typically associated with
housing built prior to 1978. To learn
more, visit omahalead.org.
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEMBERS:
Aksasrben/Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association
Beals Neighborhood Association
Brown Park Neighborhood Association
Burlington Road Neighborhood Association
Christie Heights Neighborhood Association
Columbus Park Neighborhood Association
Corrigan Neighborhood Association
Dahlman Park Neighborhood Association
Deer Park Neighborhood Association
Field Club Homeowners League
H & L Community Action Group
Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
Highland South/Indian Hills Neighborhood Association
Karen Western Neighborhood Association
Leavenworth Neighborhood Association
Lynch Park Neighborhood Association
Morton Park Neighborhood Association
Old Market South/Downtown Neighborhood Association
"South Omaha Looks Ahead."
Patach Neighborhood Watch
Robin Hill Neighborhood Association Celebrate & Visualize our Collective Future,
Social Settlement Neighborhood Association
Spring Lake Neighborhood Association
Spring Lake Habitat Team
Together.
Weircrest Neighborhood Association

NON-PROFIT MEMBERS:
Arts For All, Inc.
Banister's Leadership Academy
Boystown
Completely Kids
El Museo Latino
Family Housing Advisory Services
Green Omaha Coalition
Habitat for Humanity
Juan Diego Center
Latino Center of the Midlands
Metropolitan Community College
Mount Zion Church of God in Christ
Omaha Public Library
ONE Omaha
One World Community Health Center
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Restoration Exchange
Salvation Army Kroc Center
Sisters of Mercy Associates
South Omaha Business Association (SOBA
South Omaha Environmental Task Force (SOETF
South Omaha Violence & Intervention (SOVIP
Stephen Center
UNMC Center for Reducing Health Disparities

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:
Douglas County Commissioner Mike Boyle
Omaha City Councilperson Garry Gernandt Enhancing South Omaha neighborhoods through communication, community
Omaha City Councilperson Chris Jerram collaborations, empowerment, and promoting positive perceptions
Omaha Mayor Jean Stotherts Office
Omaha Public School Board, Lacey Merica
Public Service Commionser Crystal Rhoades
Former State Sen. Heath Mello www.sonaomaha.org
Bellevue City Councilperson & Former State Sen. Don Preister
www.facebook.com/SONAOmaha