5 recognized with Five Seasons Citizenship Award

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids Resident Appreciation Day is planned for Saturday during the first Downtown Farmers' Market of the year, which is from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

As part of the event, five people will be honored with the Five Seasons Citizenship Award. The winners are Brian Andeway, Richard Cooley, Jerad Nylin, Jackie Thompson Oster and in memory of Nancylee Ziese.

A ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the main stage near the intersection of Third Avenue and Second Street SE.

'The purpose of this program is to honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional support for our community, exhibit the responsibilities of strong citizenship and develop projects or initiatives that benefit other Cedar Rapids residents,” according to a Cedar Rapids news release.

Winners each receive an engraved clock and a $1,000 donation via University of Iowa Community Credit Union to the charity of their choice. Beneficiaries include Foundation 2, Planned Parenthood, Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation and Friends of CR Historic Preservation.

As part of Resident Appreciation Day, residents can take the 'City Manager's 1-Bag Challenge,” which is a city cleanup initiative; communicate with staff from several departments; and meet mascots Otto the River Otter, McGruff the Crime Dog, Yardy and Curby. Other activities include fingerprinting of children by Cedar Rapids police volunteers; exploring city vehicles, including a firetruck, police squad car, boom truck and leaf truck; meeting 'city heroes,” including firefighters, police officers and public works staff; and a drawing for a free family pool pass and a golf outing.

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com