Celebrate Iowa's healthiest communities, schools, universities, businesses, leaders Sept. 23

Register for second annual Healthy Iowa Awards

DES MOINES, IA (08/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Get your ticket now to celebrate Iowa's healthiest schools, organizations and individuals in Iowa on September 23 – the second annual presentation of the Healthy Iowa Awards, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines, Iowa.

"This ceremony is just so inspiring and rewarding for everyone interested in health issues," said Jenny Weber, executive director of the Wellness Council of Iowa. "We'd love to see employees, friends and family of those being honored at the event, as well as those with no direct connection who just feel passionately about wellness!"

Award winners are selected based on providing access to wellness, programming, financial commitment, measurability and sustainability. Winners retain the "Healthy Iowa" designation for three years at which point they must reapply. The healthiest K-12 school, college or university, community and visionary leader will be honored.

The 2010 awards are as follows:

Healthy Iowa School Award: Cowles Montessori (part of Des Moines Public Schools)

Healthy Iowa Community Award: Dubuque and Dubuque County, Iowa

Healthy Iowa Visionary Awards: John Stevens with Grundy Center Community Schools and Cindy Elsbernd with Iowa Kidstrong, Inc.

The following local businesses will also be honored by the Wellness Council of America "Gold Well Workplace" designation:

• EMC Insurance Companies

• Hy-Vee, Inc.

• LaMair Mulock Condon Co

• Warren County Iowa

• YMCA of Greater Des Moines

The Healthy Iowa Awards are presented by the Academy for a Healthy Iowa - a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Public Health, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Nutrition and Wellness Council of Iowa. To purchase tickets visit www.wellnessiowa.org.