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.