DES MOINES– Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg announced the start of the fifth annual Give Back Iowa Challenge on Monday. The challenge is issued to employers and runs from April 1-May 31, 2019, to engage Iowans in employer-supported volunteering.
“Volunteering and giving back is an integral part of what it means to be an Iowan,” Gov. Reynolds said. “The desire to make a difference or the spirit of personal and community responsibility is what empowers our small towns and urban areas. Volunteerism is one of the reasons why Iowa is such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”
During the challenge, employers encourage their employees to volunteer and log their hours. Employers with the highest average number of volunteer hours per employee during the challenge period will be recognized and receive a visit at their workplace from Gov. Reynolds or Lt. Gov. Gregg. Multiple winners will be selected based on employer size.
The Give Back Iowa Challenge had 56 companies participate in 2018. The companies represented nearly 54,000 employees and 83,660 hours of volunteer time. Those hours equaled about a $1.9 million investment in Iowa communities.
“We appreciate the companies who have participated in the challenge the past four years,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “It’s been an honor to recognize their employees and celebrate the impact they’re making.”
The Give Back Iowa Challenge was created by representatives of employers across Iowa who served on the Iowa Employer Initiative Advisory Council. Today, the team at Volunteer Iowa leads the challenge each spring. Iowa employers are invited to register for the Give Back Iowa Challenge and learn more at https://volunteerchallenge.iowa.gov/. Registration is open through the end of the challenge on May 31st.
