(Des Moines) Cass County was presented with the 2021 Healthy Hometown Powered by Wellmark Community Award during the Healthiest State Initiative Annual Awards presentation held virtually during a live Facebook event on Thursday.
Brigham Hoegh, Wellness Program Coordinator, said the award recognizes Cass County for its accomplishments in health improvement initiatives within the community.
Laura Jackson, Wellmark chief health officer, said the tremendous amount of work that has been done within Cass County is to be celebrated and because this work is so important, Cass County will also receive $5,000 to continue the important work of improving the physical, social and emotional well-being of the community.
Some noteworthy achievements in Cass County include:
- Installed 10 raised community garden beds at Mollet Park
- Developed the Grow Another Row program that encouraged local gardeners to plant more and share more with others through the local food pantry
- Improved playgrounds and trails around Schildberg Recreation Area and Sunnyside Park