Media Contact:
Hilary Ortmann
Director, Events and Administration
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University
hilary.ortmann@drake.edu
T: 515-305-0219
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 29, 2024) – The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University will host the 2024 Iowa Character Awards on Friday, Aug. 2, at Prairie Meadows Event Center. Twelve Iowa individuals and groups will be recognized for their exceptional character, including Elite Casino Resorts and Shelby Griebat of Mechanicsville.
An Iowa Character Awards primetime special featuring the 2024 award recipients will air on Fox affiliate stations during the following dates and times:
* Fox 28 (Cedar Rapids) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 8-9 p.m.
* Fox 17 (Des Moines) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 8-9 p.m.
The Iowa Character Awards special will also be posted at IowaCharacterAwards.org.
Elite Casino Resorts will receive the Partner of the Year Award. Bob and Ruth Kehl started their family business pathway in the 1960’s with a cafe in Dubuque, Iowa. Today, the Kehl family carries on the family’s hospitality legacy with majority ownership in Elite Casino Resorts. Elite Casino Resorts operates five entertainment properties in three mid-western states with a mission to be a premier gaming and destination resort company providing first-class amenities and guest service in a fun environment and contributes to their communities through service and development which promotes community pride and spirit. Elite Casino Resorts is strongly committed to giving back to the communities and people they serve. In addition to The Ray Center, Elite Casino Resorts provides support to dozens of charitable organizations including Kids Against Hunger, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, numerous food banks, veteran’s organizations, and children’s hospitals. Their employees consistently generate over 14,000 volunteer hours annually. The Ray Center is proud to work with Elite Casino leadership and team members to enhance the culture of character that is a family legacy in their workplaces. Elite Casino Resorts is a proud Six Pillar Partner of The Ray Center and CHARACTER COUNTS!
Shelby Griebat will receive the Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award. A faithful servant of her local community, Shelby Griebat has spent her school years taking advantage of every opportunity she can to lend a helping hand, serve her community, or uplift someone in need. Shelby has planted trees in her community, prepared meals for those in the Ronald McDonald homes, and distributed food at the homeless shelter. Shelby has volunteered at the local hospital by helping patients and serving as a listening ear. Shelby is heavily involved in her local church and is a key member in many of their outreach programs. Shelby has helped with Thanksgiving meal distributions with her church, picked up trash with her youth group, and helped with spring cleanup. Shelby also has a heart for those in her school community. She is a member of a group that helps other students make friends and feel included. She has served on her school’s student leadership team and has been consistently recognized for her outstanding character and service efforts.
The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, the organization has recognized more than 200 Iowans for showing good character.
The 2024 Iowa Character Awards are presented by Hy-Vee, FOX 17, Prairie Meadows, and Murphy Enterprizes. For a complete list of 2024 Iowa Character Award recipients or to submit a 2025 nomination, visit IowaCharacterAwards.org.
The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior.
-30-
To download full image, right-click and choose “save image as”
