Nominate a Community Member for the Gene Schultz Community Service Award

Selection Process and Criteria

Each year, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress presents the Gene Schultz Community Service Award to an individual whose volunteer service to the community best exemplifies Gene’s own commitment.

Criteria for selection:

The following will be some of the elements of the qualities found in winning candidates:

• Contributes to the betterment of their workplace, church, community, and family
• Participates in civic activity
• Is proud of the Ottumwa community
• Is enthusiastic about the community
• Is a person who makes a difference in the lives of the people and the community
• Is a worker as well as an organizer
• Promotes Ottumwa
• Allegiance is to the community as a whole rather than to one group
• No selfish motivation
• Gives others credit and recognition

Eligibility

Anyone who promotes the Ottumwa community is eligible. The place of residence is less relevant than the fact that the person promotes Ottumwa.

Gene Schultz Community Service Award 2023 Recipient - Holly Berg

The 2023 recipient is Holly Berg! Holly has been an integral part of nearly every major project that the City of Ottumwa has undertaken since she chose to call Ottumwa home. While you may see her at virtually every event produced, but not as an attendee, she is behind the scenes making the event a success. She has written several of the grants that have allowed the downtown revitalization to occur. Holly has actively sat on the Main Street Board of Directors for years and received the 2020 Leadership Award from Main Street Iowa and Main Street Ottumwa. She has been instrumental in the commissioning of all of the artwork downtown through her work with the Ottumwa Area Arts Council. She sat for several terms on the Bridge View Center Inc. Board of Directors, along with the Meet Ottumwa Board of Directors. Her skills in strategic planning have helped several non-profits secure funding and assisted them in building their visions. She faithfully served as an Ottumwa City Council member for four years from 2018-2021, was designated a Certified Elected Municipal Official in 2019, and received the Rhonda Wood Smith Award in 2021 by the Iowa League of Cities for exemplary work of young city officials. She has ensured that the Ottumwa SportsPlex will become a reality. She has been an organizer for O! Pride, Resilient Communities Wapello County, Make Ottumwa Shine, and Halloweenapalooza. She served as an adjunct professor at both William Penn University and Indian Hills Community College between 2014 and 2021. She currently serves as the Executive Director for Rippling Waters in Ottumwa.

Outside of her daily job, she is a true champion for our city. Her tireless efforts have shown in her countless hours working on projects that, even incrementally, improve the quality of life for those around her. She selflessly gives her talents to help others whenever they are needed. Even in areas that aren’t necessarily her main interests, in her passion for Ottumwa, she demonstrates the true heart of a volunteer. Holly is the youngest recipient of the Gene Shultz Community Service Award and is a glowing example of youth professionalism and volunteerism.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2022 - Ann Youngman
2021 - Connie Ferguson
2020 - Jeff Hendred
2019 - Bob Morrissey
2018 - Larry Jarvis
2017 - Jean Dell
2016 - Pam Kaupins
2015 - Fred Jenkins
2014 - Kim Hellige
2013 - John Hunolt
2012 - Steve Banyas
2011 - Charles Bates
2010 - Bill & Donna Greenley
2009 - Patsy Seals
2008 - Larry Cofer
2007 - Ed Ball
2006 - Robert D. Perkins
2005 - Thomas X. Lazio
2004 - Darlene Peta
2003 - Mary Ann Reiter
2002 - Dale Uehling
2001 - Ron Brickey
2000 - Wayne Millard
1999 - Carol & Berry Barnes
1998 - Jim Schwartz
1997 - Robert McCune
1996 - Ted Y Dianne Haas
1995 - Rich Gaumer
1994 - Carl Radosevich
1993 - Baxter Smith