IRON RIVER — The Iron Area Health Foundation will be recognizing and celebrating three Iron County organizations and one individual who went above and beyond during 2024 to support enhanced health and safety for the residents of Iron County during a dinner and .

The Recognition Program and Dinner will be on Saturday, Feb. 1 and will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social at Young’s Recreational Complex with a buffet dinner to begin at 6 p.m. and the awards program to begin at 7 p.m.

Each organization or individual will be presented with a plaque of recognition by the IAHF board. Attendees will see several project displays, hear from the award recipients and celebrate the efforts of Iron County organizations on behalf of improved health and wellness.

The 2024 award winners are:

— Tom Bucek: Bucek has provided CPR and AED training to 199 area residents during the 2024 calendar year. He has also provided emergency training for individuals who are interested in babysitting certification. In addition, he monitors the AED’s in the county to ensure they are up to date with batteries and pads.

— Iron County Search and Rescue Team: The Team is made up totally of area volunteers who are trained and stand ready to assist Iron County residents in emergency situations whether that be a lost person, an accident or a disaster situation.

— Taproot Community Farm: The community farm is made up of a collection of local individuals with a mission to produce locally grown nutritious food with and for the community providing composting, raised bed gardens and provide educational opportunities to learn more about healthy living related to food production.

— Iron Area Health Foundation Student Leadership Teams: The leadership teams are composed of fifteen high school students from West Iron County and Forest Park. The students meet regularly throughout the year to identify health and wellness needs within their respective schools and then work cooperatively with adult leaders to develop programs and activities to help address the identified needs.

Tickets for the program and buffet dinner are $25 per person. The event is open to the public. Email ironareahealthfoundation@gmail.com by Jan. 24 to make a reservation to attend the event.

“We invite the public to join us in celebrating the hard working Iron County organizations and individuals who are working to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the area. We are ‘stronger together’ in making positive change,” according to Lyle Smithson, program director.