MOLINE, Ill. — Several community leaders from across the News 8 viewing region were honored today at the 2024 Jefferson Awards luncheon.
Eight local nominees were awarded for their work in "multiplying good," the name of a national organization that puts on the Jefferson Awards. The nominees received recognition for their work in going above and beyond in our communities.
Liz Estilow, who is the founder of My G.E.A.R. Outreach, was the local winner for this year. She will go on to represent the Quad Cities region at the national Jefferson Awards ceremony this September in New York. Estilow spends hours filling duffel bags with necessities that are then given to kids heading into foster care homes.
"It's just so many kids that we have touched and helped out foster families," Estilow said. "We're just so thankful that we have a community that's supporting us so that we can keep going."
Here are the 2024 local nominees:
- My Gear Outreach: Liz Estilow - Local winner
- Junk for Jingles: Baylie and Harper Mayfield
- Second Story Teen Center: Dana and Jeff VanAutreve
- Read more: A second home for Princeton teens to thrive
- Freedom Ride Animal Rescue: Brandy Woehler and Phil Cooper
- Hudson Strong Foundation: Kyle and Jessica McKearney
- Ohl Strong Foundation: Peggy Ohl
- Chefy Bear on Wheels: Yolanda Jefferson
- Pena Boxing Club: Pat Pena
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel