• Article Photo. Maria Covington among the winners Monday night in Arc of Eastern Iowa's Every Day Heroes Award
    Maria Covington among the winners Monday night in Arc of Eastern Iowa's Every Day Heroes Award

           The Arc of East Central Iowa held it’s 54th Annual awards ceremony, “Every Day Heroes” Monday evening at the Hallagan Education Center in Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Several Benton County residents were honored for their service to physically and intellectually disabled individuals. 

            The first honoree on stage was Maria Covington of Vinton. Maria received a $500 scholarship for her work with Special Olympics and as a supported community living and respite worker with the Arc. Maria has participated in the Polar Plunge to help raise money for Special Olympics for three consecutive years. A freshman at Clarke College in Dubuque, Maria drove to Palo and dove into the 36 degree water at Palo Lake this spring. Maria is the daughter of Jerry and Della Covington of Vinton. 

The Center Point –Urbana boy’s track team and senior Ryan Mixdorf specifically, was honored with the Community Inclusion award. The team could not attend the event due to a scheduled track meet conflict, but Arc Foundation Director Jody Bridgewater read an emotional letter from team member Ryan Mixdorf explaining the positive impact team member Marshall Leonard, a freshman with autism, has made on the rest of the team. The team is coached by Lew Paine. In an excerpt from the award recommendation letter, Coach Paine was quoted as saying, “Marshall looks up to Ryan and many of the athletes on the team.  They have been very supportive of Marshall and Marshall seems to love being a part of the team.” 
            Vinton residents Marilyn Condry, Barb Bookmeier, and Ray Bookmeier were recognized for five years of service to the Arc. The three work as supported community living and respite workers.
            The Arc of East Central Iowa serves eight counties including Benton County. The Arc provides services to 55 individuals between 1 and 35 years of age in Benton County. To learn more about the Arc visit www.arceci.org or call 319-365-0487.