Each year the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter recognizes groups, individuals and businesses that have worked tirelessly throughout the year to move the mission forward. Awards are given in seven selected categories: New Volunteer of the Year, Program Service, Advocacy, Fund-Development, Distinguished Service Club, Public Awareness and Volunteer of the Year. Each award recipient receives an engraved glass sculpture indicating their special area of achievement.

We wish to thank our 2006 Mission Award Sponsors:

Rockwell Collins

The Methwich Community

2006 Mission Award Winners

New Volunteer Award - Eric Johnson, Cedar Rapids

Eric Johnson joined the chapter board during the latter part of 2005 and has quickly shown his commitment and dedication to the chapter. He has been an excellent resource to staff in both the regional and chapter offices requiring professional graphic layout and design work to communicate the work and events of the association. To simplify, the staff say, “he makes us look better”. In addition he is actively engaged in multiple events of the chapter from fundraising at the phone gala to serving on event committees and actively participates in strategic board level discussions that shape the work of the chapter. Since the nomination, we are saddened to report that this year he lost his mother to Alzheimer’s disease. While we acknowledge his loss, we celebrate his dedication and recognize him as our New Volunteer of the Year.

Development Service Award - Care Initiatives, Des Moines
This year’s award winner is an organization that has made a commitment to supporting the Alzheimer’s Association over the course of many years. From their sponsorship support of our golf invitational’s, and participation on the phone banks during Phone Gala, to their $25,000 lead gift in 2004 to support our capacity building campaign. This year Care Initiatives took their level of support to new heights by becoming the first ever, Statewide sponsor of Memory Walk resulting in a $150,000 commitment this year with the same commitment over the next two years. Their generosity and support of our mission will help many in the area.

Service Club Award - Cedar Rapids Jaycees
This service club is one that has been around for many years and has made an impact on our chapter not only in Cedar Rapids, but also in Waterloo. The Cedar Rapids Chapter of this club has made the Alzheimer’s Association a part of their Dream Makers giveaway for the past four years donating a cummulative $4,000 while members of the Waterloo chapter formed a new Memory Walk team that raised an impressive amount in it’s first year.

Public Awareness Award - CBS 2/Fox, Cedar Rapids
In the non-profit world, if people aren’t aware of an organization, it can be detrimental – to both the organization and to those who need help. The Alzheimer’s Association relies on assistance from local media to relay messages about our core services as well as our awareness events. CBS 2 and Fox have been a committed community partner for 10 years. As the first and only host and sponsor of the Faces of Alzheimer’s phone gala our nominee has helped to raise visibility of the disease and to date close to $300,000 to support the work of the East Central Iowa Chapter. This year, the nominee took an active role in supporting the Memory Walk by airing touching news stories about the effects of the disease to increase record breaking participation throughout Eastern Iowa. .

Program Service Award - University of Iowa College of Medicine, Memory Disorders Registry
The Memory Disorders Clinic has been honored for their inspiring collaborative work that crosses multiple departments and disciplines to accelerate research studies that will allow talented investigators to learn more about the risk factors that may be associated with memory disorders and cognitive changes.

Many Barriers exist for individuals interested in research studies. The barriers also exist for investigators which can slow progress. The Memory Disorders Registry, created by Dr’s. Matthew Rizzo, Stephen Anderson, Robert Jones and Natalie Denburg of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, College of Medicine, offers individuals interested in any cognitive related study at the University to be placed in the confidential registry for selection by any “approved” investigator. This effort reduces time and money required to advertise and recruit qualified candidates, not only for the investigators, but also for the study candidates as information about all study options are made available. The Alzheimer’s Association applauds the collaborative spirit that the registry demands to accelerates progress in the field, and the Chapter looks forward to supporting the important growth of the Memory Disorders Registry.

Advocate Award - Debbie Jones, Cedar Rapids
Our advocate of the year, Debbie Jones, has increased awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and the Alzheimer’s Association in numerous ways throughout the year. In fact she has been virtually all over the country spreading the word as she was asked to deliver her story this year in Washington DC, at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Our nominee shared a very personal story with all of us and others, about how Alzheimer’s affected her family, while assuming the most significant role of the Chapter as its President. It’s clear our nominee embraces the importance of funding the full mission of the Association.

Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award - Ellie Corrigan, Cedar Rapids
This year we are recognizing a person who is not only the volunteer of the year, but also a volunteer since 1989 – the year that the Chapter was incorporated. Our nominee was a founding board member and in fact one of our first officers, serving as Treasurer of the Board. Her dedication inspires the staff because she is so willing to drop what she is doing to help. At a moments notice, she can round up 10 volunteers to stuff a mailing, staff holes at a golf tournament, work registration at an event and many other tasks. She continues to be the heart and sole of this organization for almost 20 years and her dedication has earned her the 2006 Volunteer of the Year award.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with the Alzheimer's Association East Central Iowa Chapter at (319) 294-9699 or (800) 272-3900.