‘Mom’ wins #CRGavelChallenge

CEDAR RAPIDS — Connie Petersen took the challenge to support flood-affected businesses in Cedar Rapids to heart.

On Thursday, it paid off as she was declared the winner of the #CRGavelChallenge, which includes her being named honorary mayor for a day.

'It was very personal to me,' said Petersen, 61, of Cedar Rapids. 'When I saw the mayor's challenge on TV, I thought, 'That sounds like fun. That is something I could get into.' '

The Gavel Challenge was the brainchild of Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett to offset losses suffered by businesses during the September flood. He challenged residents to visit flood-affected businesses at least 10 times — 15 times for bicyclists, who have benefited from the city's improved bike lanes and trails — during October. Participants posting pictures in social media using #CRGavelChallenge were entered into the contest. First place won honorary Cedar Rapids mayor for the day, while second and third place winners received a gift card.

The winners of the second and third prize were identified by their Twitter handles, @BrookeEmma and @VeggieTess.

Petersen's mother and stepfather's Ellis Boulevard home took on 9 feet of water during the 2008 flood and the couple benefitted from numerous volunteers packing up their belongings in anticipation of the 2016 flood. Petersen wanted to give back, and give back she did.

Petersen set a goal to visit 22 businesses as a nod to the near 22-foot Cedar River crest in September, which was second worst in the city's recorded history. She made a special challenge T-shirt, got a gavel to be signed by someone from each business and posed for a picture with a business representative. She endeavored to try places she hadn't even heard of.

Petersen's daughter, Summer Hagy, 36, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, posted her mother's pictures on Twitter using the hashtag #MakeMomMayor. So when names were drawn at random on Thursday during an event at Need Pizza, 207 Second Ave. SE No. 200, it was Hagy's @SummersGotHeart Twitter handle called. Hagy explained the situation, so the award could be transferred. Petersen said a young neighbor girl suggested she hold a parade during her day as mayor.

Corbett, in announcing the winners, said they had about 500 official entries from social media, but thousands more participated without logging in. Two business owners spoke of the impact they felt.

'I don't know if I had been in a different city without this support, if we'd be able to come back the way we did,' said Jennifer Stewart, owner of The Create Exchange, 98 16th Ave. SW.

Aaron McCreight, president and chief executive of Go Cedar Rapids, estimated the economic impact from the challenge exceeded $500,000.

'The challenge was absolutely accepted,' he said.