Jones Co. Coalition acknowledges ‘outstanding members’

     Numerous Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition “outstanding” members were acknowledged during the Coalition’s regular meeting on Dec. 12 in Monticello.

Kat Edler

     Edler has been to every BEASTS (Being Excellent and Staying Totally Safe) youth advisory meeting since becoming involved in the Coalition. She also attends Day on the Hill at the Capitol in Des Moines and the AC4C Leadership Retreats. Edler distributes posters and helped the Coalition develop its media campaigns.

Sgt. Travis McNally

     McNally serves on the Anamosa Police Department. He led the “What You Don’t See” trailer the Coalition displayed at Monticello, Anamosa, and Midland schools. McNally and others from the APD took time to take part in specialized training in Des Moines for the project. Once the trailer arrived in Jones County, McNally set it up and walked adults/parents through the experience.

     McNally also attends Coalition meetings and Policy Committee meetings.

Officer James Rickels

     Rickels was the recipient of the “Awesome TIPS Trainer” award, along with Officer Jordan Koos, Monticello Police; and Deputy Sean Snyder, Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

     Rickels serves on the Anamosa Police Department. All three of these men help provide TIPS (responsible beverage service) training in Jones County. They taught eight classes in 2018, training a combined 70 store clerks, servers and bartenders. Trainings like this also allow the attendees to better know the officers so they are more likely to call when they need assistance at work.

     Rickels also helped to organize the Coalition’s alcohol compliance checks the last several years.

Brian Rogers

     Rogers was recognized for making a difference where the Coalition is concerned.

     Rogers joined the Coalition’s Marketing and Policy committees. In the past several months, he made event fliers and is working with the youth of the Coalition on several poster ideas for the methamphetamine prevention campaign.

     He also volunteered to take over updating the JCSHYC’s website.

Susann George

     George has been a Coalition member for over four years, and has helped with many fundraising events. She also hosted the Youth Mental Health First Aid training at the Apostolic Assembly Church.

     In addition, George has helped to sell Coalition cookbooks and collect the donation money.

Dennis Murphy

     Murphy is the current treasurer of the Coalition Executive Committee. Shortly after, their fundraising efforts greatly increased. Murphy also serves as chair of the Policy Committee.

     Murphy works the overnight shift every year at the Coalition’s fundraiser at the J&P Cycles Open House Rally.

     When the “What You Don’t See” trailer was in Anamosa, Murphy worked the entire evening shift as well.

     Over the years, Murphy assisted the Coalition with putting up Text1Tell signage at Wapsipinicon State Park, and helping at most fundraising events.

Lloyd Eaken

     Eaken is a Jones County supervisor. He is in his second year serving on the Executive Committee, currently serving as president. He also volunteers for as many Coalition events as he can, including training workshops: J&P Cycles Open House, Drug Endangered Children’s Conference, Underage Drinking Summit, and the Depiction of Addiction Conference.

Ken Winter

     Winter participates on the Marketing Committee, and also joined the ad hoc committee to develop the “You Are the Buffer” campaign for messages to adults to help build resiliency in kids. Those messages have been seen on coffee cup sleeves, stickers, chip clips, postcards, a billboard, and the Coalition’s 2019 calendar.

     Winter was the one to get the Coalition started in offering Mental Health First Aid training.

Carrie Johnson

     Johnson went the extra mile for the Coalition in 2018. She’s been with the organization since 2005. She’s offered her expertise as a substance abuse treatment counselor.

     Johnson serves on the Marketing Committee, and also participated in the ad hoc committee for the “You Are the Buffer” campaign. When she has time, she also volunteers for other Coalition events.

Todd Edler

     Edler has been a part of the Coalition for a few years. He serves as the at-large board member on the Executive Committee. He also helps with BEASTS, the “What You Don’t See” trailer project, the annual Coalition garage sale, AC4C Youth Leadership Retreat, Day on the Hill, and more.

     For more information about the JCSHYC, visit http://jonescountycoalition.org.