Jennings awarded Don Maher Hall of Fame award by the Red Oak Optimist Club
In addition to hosting fun activities for families and children and allowing residents to interact with those that protect and serve, National Night Out is also an opportunity for the Optimist Club of Red Oak to highlight the accomplishments of someone in law enforcement.
Optimist Club President Dan Crouse said the club has been a friend of youth and serving the community since the inception in 1964. For 60 years the club has supported the community with such programs as Tri-Star Sports, Scholarships, assistance with community efforts with a variety of activities.
“Since 1982 we have participated in the Optimist Club’s Respect for Law program, a cornerstone of our philosophy as a community service organization. This is the fourth most popular Optimist activity with more than 1,500 clubs participating each year. It is an honor to be part of this program and it is a privilege to add our award to the National Night Out recognition ceremony,” said Crouse.
The award Crouse presented on Aug. 4 is called the Red Oak Optimist Club Don Maher Memorial Hall of Fame Award.
“This recognition, named after a charter member and first recipient of this honor, is presented upon a selected member of law enforcement who has served their community and, in some cases, has retired from such service. Don Maher was a former Red Oak Police Chief, and many will remember the countless hours he spent working overnight security during the Montgomery County Fair. This year, we were very proud to have Don Maher’s granddaughter, Julie Maher Kennon present at the ceremony to help present the award,” commented Crouse.
Crouse said this year’s honoree, Amber Jennings, has served the law enforcement family in a few different positions during her career.
“Jennings is a 2002 graduate of Red Oak High School, and she started her career as a part-time dispatcher. She was employed by Mills and Montgomery County as a full-time communications operator until switching to the Red Oak Police Department as their police liaison to the community in 2021,” Crouse stated. “Since that time, she has joined the Red Oak Fire Department and served as a volunteer firefighter, becoming a nationally registered EMT in 2023. On top of these responsibilities, she has trained as a child safety seat technician, holding annual clinics on the proper installation and use of child safety seats. Her service continues as she has started the Blue Shields program in Red Oak, and organizes the Toys for Tots drive each year at Christmas. She has also been trained as a tactical dispatcher able to help at any mass casualty incident if she is requested.”
Crouse added that her volunteer work continues at a variety of levels in the community.
“You can find her volunteering at the Red Oak Chamber, the Red Oak Grand Theatre, Viking Lake Friends and for anyone needing transportation or assistance of any kind. Also, from my personal experience, she makes a heck of a good pizza at Val’s Pizzaria. The Optimist Club of Red Oak is proud to present the 2026 Don Maher Memorial Hall of Fame Award to Amber Jennings."