2021 Jefferson Awards: Joanie & Dave Steil and Mark & Vinnie Smith
In 2000, a first-of-its-kind summer camp was held at Camp Abe Lincoln in Blue Grass, Iowa for children with disabilities.
It was started by Joanie & Dave Steil, with the help of Mark & Vinnie Smith after the Steil s daughter, Tessa, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 11 after being born with a brain injury.
One of her dreams was to go to camp, but that never happened: Her medical needs and such were so compromised that she wasn t really able to go or stay overnight in those kinds of places, explains Joanie.
So, they created one in her honor.