KCRG | Community Events | Show You Care

Coats for Kids

Thousands of individuals in Eastern Iowa are in need of a warm winter coat. To serve this need, KCRG-TV9 volunteers and our Show You Care sponsors work to collect and distribute new and gently used coats each fall. Coats in sizes infant through adult are donated at locations throughout Eastern Iowa, collected and cleaned by Citywide Cleaners in Cedar Rapids, and are then distributed to the children who need them by area family service organizations and volunteers. Through our 25 years of collecting and distributing Coats For Kids, many more kids will stay warm each winter as a result of the generosity of our communities.


The Coats for Kids campaign is scheduled for September 15 – October 15, 2019.

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Show You Care Support Request


KCRG-TV9 is proud to continue the tradition of supporting and celebrating charitable organizations and events through our Show You Care program. KCRG-TV9 is committed to being a strong partner as we annually support nearly 100 community events throughout Eastern Iowa.

All of the support offered through the Show You Care program happens because of the time, dedication, and generosity our of sponsors. Without them, the program would not be possible. We recognize with sincere gratitude the support of Mercy Medical Center, Dave Wright Subaru, Eells and Tronvold Law Offices and the Green State Credit Union.

A+ for Education

We are proud to recognize excellence in education.

Nominations for A+ for Education are accepted through April 30, 2020.

If you know a teacher, coach or principal who has gone the extra mile, show your appreciation by completing a nomination for KCRG-TV9's A+ For Education program.

Each month during the school year (September-May) one outstanding individual will be honored with a plaque and $250 for their dedication. Nominations are accepted August 15th through April 15th.

Please note that entries are only good for the month of submission. If not selected, reapply. There is no limit to the number of entries per year.

Make a Nomination

9 Who Care

Nominations are accepted November 1 - November 30, 2019

Each year, KCRG-TV9 and our Show You Care Sponsors honor outstanding volunteers throughout Eastern Iowa.

Nominations are accepted during the month of November. Nine finalists are chosen by an independent panel of judges. The 9 Who Care award recipients are featured during a newscast and honored at a ceremony in February. During the ceremony, the award recipients are each presented with a $500 donation to give to their charity of choice.

Of these nine winners, one finalist will travel to Washington, D.C. to represent Eastern Iowa in a national competition for a Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award.

Nominations accepted through November 30.

Make a Nomination

Summer Writing Contest

Nearly 90 students answered "Who is your biggest hero and why?" in our annual Summer Writing Contest.

The following winners were chosen by a panel of three independent judges:

Age 7-8:
1st place – Edison Wolterman of Cedar Rapids
2nd place – Addison Kay of Cedar Rapids
3rd place – Averi Jeffries of Tipton

Age 9-10:
1st place – Brynnley Fetzer of Cedar Rapids
2nd place – Scarlett Dwyer of Cedar Rapids
3rd place – Elyse Lyle of Keota

Age 11-12:
1st place – Brynn Albertsen of Buckingham
2nd place – Nevaeh Norton of Monticello
3rd place – Olivia Troy of Marion

Each winner received a goody bag filled with gifts from the Show You Care sponsors and 4 tickets to Adventureland! The Grand Prize winner from each age group also received a $75 Green State Credit Union Visa Gift Card and the second place winner from each age group received a $25 Green State Credit Union Visa Gift Card.

The event is part of the Show You Care program. SYC sponsors are: Dave Wright Subaru, Eells and Tronvold Law Offices, Mercy Medical Center and The Green State Credit Union.

Visit this page in June 2020 for information for the 2020 Summer Writing Contest.

Nominations will be accepted November 1 – November 30, 2018

Show Your Care Features

Upcoming Events



Willis Dady Run & Ride Festival
Willis Dady Homeless Services
September 21
8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sag Wagon

A 5K & 10K run & walk around Cedar Lake followed by a social bike ride to Ely and back to Sag Wagon with music at the end of the day
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/WillisDadyRunAndRideFest/

The HOPEwalk
The HOPEwalk
September 21
9:00 am
Cherry Hill Park

The HOPEwalk is the suicide prevention walk for Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.
For more information visit: www.hopewalk-cr.com

Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk
Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association
September 22
11:00 am
Cherry Hill Park

The Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk is the agency's biggest fundraiser of the year. This event allows the organization to continue to grow and stay true to its mission of education for both families and the surrounding communities.
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/HawkeyeAreaDownSyndrome/

1st Annual Green Square Meals Golf Tournament & "The Locher"
Green Square Meals
September 22
9:00 am - shotgun start
Airport National Golf Course

This golf tournament is a fundraiser for the Green Square Meals program.
For more information visit: www.greensquaremeals.org

Sweetgrass Flute & Nature Festival
Sweetgrass Flute & Nature Festival
September 27-28
27th from 5-9pm; 28th from 10a-9p; 29th from 11a-4 p
Prairiewoods

The Sweetgrass Flute & Nature Festival and the activities involved with it will draw people together to encounter peace and transformation through natural sounds and heightened awareness of nature while experiencing connectivity through the many cultural workshops and expansive music-making opportunities.
For more information visit: www.sweetgrassfest.com

In Her Shoes
Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center
September 28
9 am
Cedar Lake Loop

This is a 5K Fun Run/Walk fundraiser for Bridgehaven.
For more information visit: www.bridgehavencr.org

Serving Our Seniors 5K
Christ Community UMC
September 29
4 pm
Christ Community UMC

Christ Community Church in Marion is hosting the 6th annual Serving Our Seniors 5k run/walk & 1-mile walk. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Marion Senior Living Community, whose mission is to provide independent, affordable, quality housing and services to seniors with low to moderate incomes.
For more information visit: www.marionchristcommunity.church

Operation Diaper Drive
Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank
October 1-20
All day
Hy-Vee Food Stores & Drugstores in Cedar Rapids, Marion & Coralville

2019 Operation Diaper Drive: Operation Diaper Drive is a community-wide “diaper” raiser to stock Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank with one year's supply of diapers. Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank is a partnership of two area nonprofits (Eastern Iowa Health Center and YPN) that serves low-income and underserved members of the greater Cedar Rapids community and surrounding counties, in addition to Tanager Place and HACAP. The goal is to collect donated diapers (new and opened, unused packages).
For more information visit: www.eidiaperbank.org

History Makers Gala
African American Museum of Iowa
October 3
5 pm
The Hotel at Kirkwood

Join the African American Museum of Iowa to honor African Americans who’ve made an indelible impact as a trailblazer, change agent, legacy maker or role model in their communities. The AAMI’s only fundraiser, the annual History Makers Gala attracts guests from all over Iowa. Proceeds benefit the AAMI’s efforts to carry out its mission to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American heritage of Iowa.
For more information visit: www.blackiowa.org

Freedom Gala 2019
Chains Interrupted
October 4
5:30-9:30 pm
Epic Event Center

The Freedom Gala is a community fundraiser for Chains Interrupted. Chains Interrupted works throughout the year to provide prevention education to area schools, corporations, medical facilities, community organizations and hotels or motels. They also provide survivor support services, rescue/restoration services and rehabilitation to victims in an effort to heal our community and stop sex trafficking in Eastern Iowa. This event brings together community members, survivors and volunteers for an evening of hope, dinner, education and fun!
For more information visit: www.chainsinterrupted.com

Peace Be the Journey
NAMI NE Iowa
October 5
10:00 am
Decorah Fish Hatchery

This bike ride plans to raise awareness for mental illness
For more information visit: www.namineiowa.org

National 4-H Week and Find Out Day
Linn County 4-H
October 6
12:30-3:30 pm
ISU Extension & Outreach Linn County

This is a week-long celebration of 4-H
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/linncounty4h

Especially For You Race Against Breast Cancer
Especially For You
October 6
8:00 am
Begins at Mercy Medical Center

The 29th annual Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer helps to provide free mammograms, as well as breast-care and gynecological services to area individuals in need. The Especially for You (EFY) Fund includes coverage for breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. More than 16,000 participants and over 750 survivors are expected to attend this year’s event. All of the funds stay local to help individuals right here in eastern Iowa.
For more information visit: www.especiallyforyourace.org/efy/

Super Hero Bash
Families Helping Families of Iowa, Inc.
October 12
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hawkeye Downs Expo Center

The Super Hero Bash takes place each October and features mascots, police officers, firefighters, activity tables, candy tubs, a DJ and a costume contest. This event is open to the public and is free of charge for children in foster care and their caregivers and immediate family. All others are welcome to attend for a small fee.
For more information visit: www.fhfia.org

Power of the Purse Plus
United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties
October 24
5:00-7:00 pm
Terry Trueblood Recreation Center

Power of the Purse Plus; An Evening of Fun, Fashion and Philanthropy! All proceeds go to the United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties. The event features a silent auction with an amazing array of more than 100 purses, raffle drawings and Party Row purchases along with wine and appetizers.
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/286633055623461/

Purple Light
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - Eastern Iowa Affiliate
October 27
2:00 pm
Mae Latta Hall, Hearst Center

PurpleLight is a gathering of survivors, family and friends who have felt the impact of pancreatic cancer. During the PurpleLight event, there will be a ceremony that includes a reading of names, honoring survivors and remembering those we've lost to pancreatic cancer. PurpleLight is a free event and open to the public. The event is intended for those who have lost a loved one to this disease, are a pancreatic cancer survivor, family member, friend or member of the community.
For more information visit: www.PanCAN.org/EasternIowa