The dresses, the drama, the fun! Our 2024 Awards Celebration was another one to remember. With just under three hundred people in attendance, the night started with the presentation of our awards. Our Board President, Jeff Disterhoft, gave a very heart-felt opening speech to get the night started. We had eight people we serve receive a “Milestone Award”, which is an award given to people that have overcome adversity or completed a life-long goal.
Part of the ceremony is to honor community members that help us live our mission. This year, we had two “Friend of Systems” award winners where they have gone above and beyond to help people we serve. Bob Bogs and Lavon Yeggy were the recipients of this year’s award. We had two “Employer of the Year Award” winners, Big Grove Iowa City and Sky Zone. The recipients of this award are community businesses that have been wonderful at hiring and supporting people we serve maintain their jobs. We truly thank you all for what you have done!
This year, we presented a new award called the “Advocacy Award”. This was presented to the people we serve that went to the Iowa Capitol to speak to our legislators about what is important to them. We were able to talk with one of the award recipients, Megan Krapfl (seen in above picture on the left), about what the experience of being an advocate means to her.
Megan has been with Systems for five years and currently works at TJ Maxx with now limited job coaching assistance. “I wanted to go so we could get changes through laws to help people that get services and have disabilities. It would be great to have an increase in the money I can make. I have to limit my hours and that seems unfair.” Megan was the first to talk to her legislator from the Systems group and had a prepared speech to read to them. “I was nervous but wanted to go first. At first, I forgot what I was going to say until I remembered I had my notes. I’m really happy I went and wish we had more people (legislators) to talk to.” Megan was very excited to be honored at the Awards Celebration and was excited that her family was able to attend. We intend to keep this award going forward to honor all of the people we serve that become advocates.
The night continued after the ceremony portion with dancing, snacks and a photo booth. People enjoyed dancing until 9pm that night and many took advantage of having fun pictures taking with friends. We appreciate everyone that volunteered and donated to make this a wonderful night for people we serve.
