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The event was marked with a candlelight vigil at Omaha's Gene Leahy Mall that followed an observance three days earlier at the Francis House Shelter. Both events were intended to remember the metro area's 24 homeless individuals who died in during 2006.
According to Joanie Spitznagle, program director of Pottawattamie County Homeless Link, three of those individuals lived in Council Bluffs. They had received help from Heartland Family Service and the Homeless Link Program, a partnership between HFS, MICAH House, MOHM's Place and Iowa Legal Aid.
Those who passed away were Marvin Graves, Marvin N. McKay and Bradley Raymond.
"All three of these men were special, valuable people, who were unfortunately homeless at the time of their passing," Spitznagle said. "They probably all passed with little notice by the general public, but this day allowed us to remember them and bring attention to the homeless in our community."
Spitznagle said the hope is that, with the start of a new year, people can remain focused on ending homelessness while remembering those who were lost without meeting that goal.
- Phil Rooney
