beSomebody Initiative

The Purpose of the beSomebody Initiative:  ‘beSomebody’ is a social norming campaign on good citizenship, doing the right thing, role modeling, reducing bullying, and eliminating alcohol and other drug abuse.  This initiative provides direction to youth and adults to show that in order to make positive change, we must start with ourselves by displaying good character and standing up for what is right.

Background:  This initiative was the result of community leaders coming together and talking about the problem of substance abuse and related violence issues.  Their message was that somebody needs to do something, somebody needs to communicate positive and uplifting messages to young people, young adults, and parents.  That somebody is us—we each need to hold ourselves accountable to be that positive agent of change.

Overall Outcome:  There will be positive community change related to substance abuse, violence/bullying, and service to our community.  This will be evidenced by awareness programs that move people to action, including the expanded use of social media, increases in participation in community service activities, and collaborative actions of support, recognition, and celebration that further CARES’ mission.  

George Gengler Received beSomebody Award

CONGRATULATIONS to George Gengler, our beSomebody Award recipient! For more than 27 years, George Gengler has been involved in drug prevention through the Elks Lodge. He has distributed thousands of red ribbons, books, and brochures to school age children. George also coordinates sessions for national speakers to present to adults and youth in our area. He truly embodies the spirit of the beSomebody Award! Thank you George for being somebody and making our community a better place to live, work, and raise families!

Bernie Hess Received beSomebody Award 

Linnea Fletcher, Vice President of Siouxland CARES, presents Bernie Hess with the 2016 beSomebody Award.

East Middle School Spartans Received 2016 beSomebody Award 

Beth Noel, President, Siouxland CARES, and Jennifer Gomez, CARES Board Members, recently presented East Middle School Positive Spartans with the beSomebody award from Siouxland CARES.

Great West Casualty & Michael McGowan Received 2015 beSomebody Award 
Great West Casualty Company and Michael McGowan received beSomebody awards yesterday from Siouxland CARES. Great West Casualty Company has been a long-time supporter of Siouxland CARES. Current and past Teen Court judges honored were GWCC employees as seen in this picture (Siouxland CARES President Beth Noel with Mark Galvin, Mike Yaneff, Katie Reichenbach, Jamie Meehan-Others not pictured Scott Rager and Kate Dykstra). Mike McGowan, Siouxland CARES outgoing board member, embodies the spirit of the beSomebody award and was instrumental in implementing this initiative. We will forever be indebted to him for standing up and doing the right thing and being somebody!


 

Briar Cliff Enactus Team Received 2015 beSomebody Award 

Siouxland CARES presented the Briar Cliff University Enactus Team with the 2015 beSomebody Award at Briar Cliff University on April 9, 2015.   The Team received the beSomebodyaward for demonstrating outstanding leadership to the initiative and for its outstanding commitment to making our community a better place to live.

Picture:  Beth Noel, President, Siouxland CARES; Marilyn Eastman, Emily Vondrak, and Mark Samuelson, Briar Cliff Enactus Team Representatives.

2013 beSomebody Award 

Four “Hero” Organizations Receive beSomebody Awards

Siouxland CARES announced its beSomebody awards during a Red Ribbon press conference held  at North Middle School, Sioux City, Iowa.

The criteria for this award is that the person or organization must have a commitment to making our community a better place to live and has demonstrated outstanding citizenship and contributions to the Siouxland area.

This year, Siouxland CARES has chosen four organizations to receive the beSomebody award.  The organizations receiving the 2013 beSomebody awards are the Sioux City Police Department, South Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department and the 185th Air Refueling Wing. Accepting the award on behalf of their organization were: Captain Marti Reilly-Sioux City Police Department, Sheriff Dave Drew-Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department, Colonel David Simon, Vice Commander, 185th Air Refueling Wing, and Scot Ford, South Sioux City Police Chief.

“It is fitting that we honor our partners in uniform during Red Ribbon Week as Ribbon Week celebrates the memory of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena who was tortured and violently murdered in 1985 by drug traffickers while serving as an undercover drug agent in Mexico”, states Mike McGowan, President of Siouxland CARES.  “All four organizations actively participate in the Siouxland CARES’ coalition and continually work to make Siouxland a safe, healthy and drug-free community”, continued McGowan. “These agencies truly are our “heroes” as they, like Kiki Camarena, stand up, speak out, and protect us every day in order that our children will be free from the abuse of alcohol and other drugs”, concluded McGowan.

Established in 2011, past individuals and organizations who have won the beSomebody award are:  Avery Brothers Sign Company and Bishop Heelan Catholic High School for having gone above and beyond in their commitment to thebeSomebody campaign.  Individual awards have been given to Will Meier, Juvenile Court Services, and Jenni Malsam, Jackson Recovery Centers, for demonstrating extra passion when ‘no one is watching’ and helping many young stay in school and live a drug-free lifestyle.

‘beSomebody’ is a  campaign on good citizenship, doing the right thing, role modeling, reducing bullying, and eliminating alcohol and other drug abuse.  This initiative provides direction to youth and adults to show that in order to make positive change, we must start with ourselves by displaying good character and standing up for what is right.

Learn More at SiouxlandCares.org