Challenge encourages employer supported volunteering
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2022
Contact: Betsy Shelton, Volunteer Iowa
betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
515.348.6228/800.308.5987
Des Moines, IA— Volunteer Iowa announced the launch of the 8th annual Give Back Iowa Challenge, an eight-week challenge from April 1 - May 31, 2022, aimed at engaging Iowans in employer supported volunteering. Alliant Energy and the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative have returned this year as partners to support the challenge. Iowa employers are encouraged to pre-register by March 31 st but can elect to participate at any time during the Challenge.
The Give Back Iowa Challenge is an opportunity for employees who volunteer to receive recognition by tracking and reporting their hours. The Challenge was created in 2015 to promote employer volunteer initiatives for organizations of all sizes across the state. Volunteering not only has a significant impact on meeting community needs, but employer supported volunteering has a positive impact on business, including improved employee engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and retention.
“The Give Back Iowa Challenge was created seven years ago, as a tool for employers to engage their employees in volunteering. The success of the Challenge demonstrates the commitment employers in Iowa have made to promoting volunteerism and service,” Volunteer Iowa Commissioner Angela Jiskoot said. “We continue to prove that Iowans are committed to making Iowa a great place to work and live.”
“Volunteering is a great way to foster a sense of connection,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Healthiest State Initiative. “It helps boost employee engagement and job satisfaction, which ultimately leads to those employees leading happier and healthier lives, both in and outside of the workplace.”
Iowa employers are encouraged to participate in the Give Back Iowa Challenge and persuade their employees to volunteer and report their volunteer hours. Employers with the highest average number of volunteer hours per employee will be recognized with a visit by the Governor or Lieutenant Governor to their workplace.
Employers can register at any time at https://volunteerchallenge.iowa.gov/volunteer-challenge-employer-registration. Employers who have already registered include:
- Alliant Energy
- CL Tel
- Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
- Simpson College
- Spencer Municipal Hospital
- United Way of East Central Iowa
- Volunteer Iowa
Complete information and resources on how to participate and find volunteer opportunities are provided in the Give Back Iowa toolkit available at https://volunteerchallenge.iowa.gov/.
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About Volunteer Iowa (or Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service)
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.
About Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy Corporation’s Iowa utility subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), utilizes the trade name of Alliant Energy. The Iowa utility is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and provides electric service to 490,000 customers and natural gas service to 225,000 customers. The employees of Alliant Energy focus on delivering the energy solutions and exceptional service their customers and communities expect – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Alliant Energy Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT and is a component of the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com.
About the Healthiest State Initiative
The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven by the goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. By engaging worksites, communities, schools, retail food, organizations, institutions and individuals, we can inspire Iowans and their communities to improve their health and happiness, and ultimately achieve our goal. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.