FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2023
Contact: Betsy Shelton, Volunteer Iowa
betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
515.348.6228/800.308.5987
Give Back Iowa Challenge Registration Is Now Open
Challenge encourages employer supported volunteering
Des Moines, IA— Volunteer Iowa has announced the launch of the ninth annual Give Back Iowa Challenge, an eight-week challenge from April 1 - May 31, 2023, 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 31st 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.
"We’ve seen a significant decrease in volunteer rates since the start of the pandemic. The Give Back Iowa Challenge was created as a tool for employers to engage their employees in volunteering. This year it is critical to have employer support to expand volunteer rates in Iowa," Volunteer Iowa Executive Director Adam Lounsbury said. "The continued success of the Challenge demonstrates the commitment employers in Iowa have made to promoting volunteerism and service, and that is more important this year than ever before."
"Volunteering together as an organization is an excellent way to create a sense of community and connection among your team members," said Jami Haberl, Executive Director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. "When employees feel connected, they have higher job satisfaction and feel more engaged, which leads to better mental and physical health both at work and at home."
Iowa employers are encouraged to participate in the Give Back Iowa Challenge and persuade their employees to volunteer and report their volunteer hours. Employers achieving the highest average in each size category are recognized with a press release and an award.
Employers can register at any time on the Give Back Iowa Challenge website. Employers who have already registered include:
- Alliant Energy
- CL Tel
- Community State Bank
- Tru Cares
- Volunteer Iowa
Complete information and resources on how to participate and find volunteer opportunities are provided in the Give Back Iowa toolkit.
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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.