DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 7, 2020) — Officials with the Iowa “Healthiest State Initiative” have announced the winners of the 2020 Healthiest State Annual Awards. The winners were recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of their students, employees and fellow Iowans. Among the winners in six categories, was the City of Manning, which was announced the winner of the 2020 Healthy Hometown -Powered by Wellmark – Community Award. The award was presented Thursday, Feb. 6th.

Pictured in front (from left), Lauren Subler, Dawn Meyer, Cory Arp and Harvey Dales. In back (from left), Healthiest State Initiative Executive Director Jami Haberl, Cindy Durhkopf, Julie Hodne, Jean Veoge and keynote speaker Lyndsey Fennelly. (Photo courtesy Healthiest State Initiative)

Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director, said “It is our honor to recognize our winners with these well-deserved awards. The work they have all done to create environments that support healthy choices in their respective sectors is innovative and impactful. Congratulations!”

Each winner was awarded a monetary prize to continue their work focused on improving the health and wellbeing of their employees, students or citizens. The Healthiest State Annual Awards were sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Hy-Vee, Inc., Nemours and HealthPartners UnityPoint Health. In addition to the awards reception, Healthiest State Initiative Board President Jeff Russell gave an update on the organization and highlighted key accomplishments from 2019:

• 900+ walks across all 99 counties were registered to participate in the Healthiest State Annual Walk
• Make It OK campaign launched in Iowa to reduce mental illness stigma across the state
• Double Up Food Bucks program doubled number of participating sites, including 14 Fareway locations, and saw 900% growth in sales over previous year
• 454 Healthy Choices Count! Registered Sites in the education, early care, after-school, workplace and health care sectors

Russell said “2019 was a year of incredible growth for the Healthiest State Initiative’s programs and events: We’ve helped expand access to healthy choices and inspired Iowans to live healthier lifestyles. As we approach the organization’s 10th anniversary, we look forward to engaging Iowans to become the healthiest state in the nation.”

To learn more about the Healthiest State Initiative, visit IowaHealthiestState.com.