Annual Initiative Awards Announced

The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine recognizes the good work of fellow citizens and charitable organizations who are making a difference in Muscatine County through its annual Initiative Awards.

Award recipients include:

Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award

The recipient of the 2025 Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award is Freda Sojka.

As founder and co-director of Cedar River Haven, Freda has poured her heart into building a recovery community that provides women with something truly life-changing: a safe place to heal, grow, and rebuild.

Freda was instrumental in every stage of Cedar River Haven’s creation. She shaped the vision, developed the plan, and organized the framework for the recovery community. As a volunteer, she recruited board members and supporters, coordinated outreach and fundraising, and inspired others to join her mission. Her leadership and determination transformed the idea into a reality, serving women across Muscatine County and throughout the Midwest.

As part of the award, Freda received a $1,500 grant to be directed to the charitable cause of her choice, Cedar River Haven.  

The Great Initiative Award was established to honor the inaugural recipient, Shirley Jean Drake, a long-time Board member of the Community Foundation who left a legacy of great initiatives across our community, county, and state. The cheerful, ethical, and inspirational determination she demonstrated will continue to be honored through the Shirley Jean Drake Great Initiative Award. 

Giles Joslyn Youth Initiative Award

The recipient of the 2025 Giles Joslyn Youth Initiative Award is Emmery Drake.

What started as a simple idea that stemmed from her experience as a reading buddy grew into a community-wide effort that collected and donated books across our community. Her initiative has helped students feel seen, supported, and excited about reading.

And her commitment to community doesn't stop there. Over the past year, Emmery has rung bells for the Salvation Army, delivered holiday gifts for Senior Resources, and donated part of her Junior Miss Iowa Scholarships to United Way's school supply drive.

As part of the award, Emmery received a $1,000 grant to be directed to her charitable cause of choice, United Way Muscatine County.

Giles Joslyn received the first Youth Initiative Award for implementing a ‘Stringfest’ concert to raise money for new band instruments and music lessons for students who might not otherwise be able to afford them. The passion, persistence, enterprise, and leadership he demonstrated will continue to be honored through the Giles Joslyn Youth Initiative Award.

For more information on the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine’s Initiative Awards Program, visit www.givinggreater.org/awards.