A coalition of health providers and citizens in Knoxville has been selected as a finalist for an award from the Healthiest State Initiative.

Healthy Hometown Knoxville Coalition is one of nine community organizations from around Iowa which are in the running to be recognized for their efforts to improve local health.

Larissa Van Donselaar from the Marion County Public Health Department tells KNIA/KRLS News the organization meets monthly to determine ways to help encourage better health and better living by Knoxville residents.

“We work really just to identify how we can improve and have healthy living within Knoxville; and so we look at those through multiple activities that are really supported by the Healthiest State Initiative,” Van Donselaar says.

Contributions by the organization over the past year include working to provide farm stands and fresh food from community gardens, as well as helping with the walking audit around Lincoln Street as part of the road diet proposal.

The recipient of the award will be announced on February 7th at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines.