Foster Grandparents, other area individuals honored with Governor’s Volunteer Award

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Area groups and individuals were honored with Governor’s Volunteer Awards during a ceremony held Tuesday in Cedar Falls.

The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program of Charles City was honored for 50 years of service in North Iowa, and Linda Siems of Nora Springs received an individual Governor’s Volunteer Award for her service as a volunteer child advocate.

Also at the event, Floyd County Medical Center was recognized for 20 years of sponsoring the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), and Ron James of Charles City and Kathy Behrens of Floyd were both honored for five years of service as volunteer counselors with SHIIP, an organization that helps people sort through Medicare and senior health insurance options.

The ceremony was held at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

“It truly is an honor to be able to recognize these individuals for their meaningful acts of generosity through the Governor’s Volunteer Awards and inspire others to do the same,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds.

“Iowans take great pride in their deep and rich commitment for serving others – it’s in our DNA,” Reynolds said. “‘Iowa nice’ is the foundation of our state – you see it everywhere you turn – Iowans volunteering their time to help others and improve their communities and our state.”

The Foster Grandparents Program in Charles City serves Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw and Mitchell counties, offering volunteers age 55 and older to serve in area schools and day cares as mentors, tutors and caregivers, according to Jennifer Lantz, the program director.

“Foster Grandparents offer emotional support to children who have been abused or neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and tutor at-risk children. These Foster Grandparents encourage them, talk with them, study with them, listen to them, play with them and love them just like they were their own grandchildren,” Lantz said.

“This program is a chance for two groups in need – older Americans and children – to come together to help each other,” she said. “A Foster Grandparent can change the lives of the children they serve while allowing the children to change their lives. The children are the reason for some to get up in the morning, enhance their self-esteem and remain physically and mentally active through participation in needed community service.”

The program has been in existence in Charles City since 1972 and the volunteers give almost 65,000 hours of service annually to area children. The local sponsor is the city of Charles City and federal funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“We have been bridging generations with a touch of love for 50 years and looking forward to the next 50,” Lantz said.

Linda Siems was nominated for her work with the Iowa Child Advocacy Board by Crystal Engstrom, the program coordinator.

“​​ICAB volunteers advocate on behalf of children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, often having been placed outside their home,” Engstrom said. “They truly make a positive impact on children and families involved in the child welfare system and in their communities.”

More than 500 awards are being presented this year during five ceremonies across Iowa. It is estimated that more than 150 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees.

The first ceremony was the Tuesday event in Cedar Falls where the Floyd County programs and individuals were honored.

Other ceremonies are scheduled for June 8 at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, June 15 at Prairie High School Concert Hall in Cedar Rapids, June 21 at Southeast Polk High School Auditorium in Pleasant Hill and a final ceremony at Buena Vista University Schaller Memorial Chapel in Storm Lake on a date yet to be determined.

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program – now in its 38th year – provides a way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.

More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.