IVHFH Presents 2024 Friends Night Awards

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Habitat Friends Night earlier this month! This annual celebration of our supporters is an event our entire staff looks forward to every year because it gives us the opportunity to see many of our volunteers, donors, and homeowners. We hope this event conveys the immense gratitude we have for each and every one of you. At this event, we presented awards to several of our supporters for their outstanding service and dedication to the Habitat for Humanity mission. Congratulations and thank you to our 2024 awardees!

TOM GLAU AWARD PRESENTED TO LEN WATKINS

The Tom Glau Award is named after Tom Glau, a long term volunteer for the Iowa City ReStore. Recipients are selected for their outstanding service and dedication as a ReStore volunteer. This award was presented to Len Watkins who has volunteered regularly for years helping with donations and organizing the Iowa City ReStore. Len also manages the Cans for Habitat program by sorting refundable deposit cans and bottles that are dropped off at the store. When cans are sorted and bagged up, a truckload is taken to a redemption center and the funds go toward Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's programs and services. Len’s support not only recycled more than 300,000 cans and bottles last year, but it also raised over $15,000 for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.

KAZI ALWARD AWARD PRESENTED TO JANET GREENWALD

Janet Greenwald received the Kazi Alward award at Habitat Friends Night. This award is named after long term supporter, Kazi Alward, and recipients are selected for their outstanding service, kindness, and dedication. Janet volunteers on every home build and has the patience and attention to detail that truly transforms Habitat homes in the final weeks of construction.

WILLIAM "D'GROUCH" LAUBENGAYER AWARD PRESENTED TO RON HOUGAS

The 2024 D'Grouch award was presented to Ron Hougas. Named for William "D'Grouch" Laubengayer who volunteered countless hours on the construction of 104 Habitat homes, recipients demonstrate ongoing dedication and outstanding service to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Ron travels around 60 miles roundtrip to volunteer with the IVHFH construction crew and many times up to 3 days a week.

TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED TO UI PRE-DENTAL ADVISORY CLUB

Congratulations to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry Pre-Dental Advisory Club for receiving the Team of the Year Award. This award recognizes the group for their outstanding and ongoing service to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. The Pre-Dental Club recruits volunteers for multiple build days each school semester.

PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity presented the Partner of the Year award to the Johnson County Affordable Housing Colaition in recognition of their outstanding service and commitment to prioritizing safe and affordable housing throughout the Johnson County community. JCAHC staff and volunteers work to provide the public and local housing agencies with valuable resources and education in addition to advocating for the housing rights for Johnson County residents.