BETTENDORF, Iowa — All over our area, there are people who are not just doing good - but Multiplying Good.
Every year, we honor them with the Jefferson Awards - a nationwide foundation that celebrates amazing acts of public service. 2021 is WQAD News 8's 7th Season of being a Jefferson Awards Media Partner, sponsored locally by Genesis Health System and Budget Blinds.
From January 14th to March 4th, News 8's Angie Sharp is introducing you to this year's nominees. To see all of our Jefferson Awards Nominees, past and present, click here.
2021 Jefferson Awards: Joanie & Dave Steil and Mark & Vinnie Smith
In 2000, a first-of-its-kind summer camp was held at Camp Abe Lincoln in Blue Grass, Iowa for children with disabilities.
It was started by Joanie & Dave Steil, with the help of Mark & Vinnie Smith after the Steil's daughter, Tessa, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 11 after being born with a brain injury.
One of her dreams was to go to camp, but that never happened:
"Her medical needs and such were so compromised that she wasn't really able to go or stay overnight in those kinds of places," explains Joanie.
So, they created one in her honor.
"When we had the camp itself, it was a pretty powerful experience," says Mark. "It was very successful and it changed my life."
They fulfilled a need - not just for the Steils or for the Smiths, whose son Peter has Autism - but for dozens of families across the area.
Now, more than 20 years later, dozens have turned into hundreds and the annual camp has also turned into a nonprofit that provides daily services called Hand in Hand.
"They didn’t identify a solution for this child, they identified a solution for everybody," explains Angie Kendall, CEO of Hand in Hand, who nominated the Steils and Smiths for the Jefferson Awards. "It’s really evolved to serve the life span of an individual."
"I hoped for more, but I didn't know what it would evolve to," adds Mark. "'More' became year-round programs, 'more' became not just school-aged children but childcare."
The nonprofits integrated model allows children of all abilities to learn and grow together, not apart at a building named in Tessa's honor, called Tessa's Place.
"I'm so happy that there's a place and she's remembered that way," says Joanie.
Hand in Hand also offers an adult volunteer program, called People with Purpose, along with other after-school programs, night/weekend recreation activities, athletic teams, etc.
"There's challenges - no doubt about it - but it's a joyful place and at camp, there's a lot of noise and a little bit of chaos, but very positive and there's much to celebrate," says Mark.
These two couples - and now an entire organization - are "Multiplying Good" by showing us how to celebrate our similarities instead of being divided by our differences.
Hand in Hand holds a Chili Cook-Off every year to raise money for its programs. It takes place Saturday, January 30th at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa. For information, click here.