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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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PARKS, Bryce: Difference between revisions

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In 2004 Bryce and Brad both were named Outstanding Young Iowans by the Iowa Jaycees. The award made annually accepted nominations and awarded the honor to up to ten young men and women between the ages of 21 and 40. The two brothers were recognized for their creation of Dubuque365.com and their efforts over four years to make the program available in more than 17 Iowa cities. With muliple Iowa partner organizations, the Iowa365 Cultural Opportunity Network was awarded a best practice recognition by the Iowa for a Better Future organization and was recognized in 2004 as a top cultural project in the state. Brad served on the Vision Iowa Board, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Board was was a vice president with [[COTTINGHAM & BUTLER]]. (7)
In 2004 Bryce and Brad both were named Outstanding Young Iowans by the Iowa Jaycees. The award made annually accepted nominations and awarded the honor to up to ten young men and women between the ages of 21 and 40. The two brothers were recognized for their creation of Dubuque365.com and their efforts over four years to make the program available in more than 17 Iowa cities. With muliple Iowa partner organizations, the Iowa365 Cultural Opportunity Network was awarded a best practice recognition by the Iowa for a Better Future organization and was recognized in 2004 as a top cultural project in the state. Brad served on the Vision Iowa Board, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Board was was a vice president with [[COTTINGHAM & BUTLER]]. (7)
Many organizations have been recognized through the 365INK Impact Awards which in 2014 was in its sixth year of existence. The awards were designed to highlight those who were making an impact on the Dubuque community whether in visible ways or behind the scenes. Recipients of the awards were selected by the staff of 365INK from submissions from the public, 365INK staff, and selected individuals and organizations who had daily contact with the people, organizations and businesses positively influencing the community. Awards were made in the following categories: Arts, Big Splash, Community Pride, Economic Development, Education, Family, Food & Dining, Health, Inclusion, Media, Music, Best New Thing, Nightline, Nonprofit Excellence, Shopping, Social Space, Sports and Recreation, Sustainability, Volunteerism, Youth Advocacy, Business Impact, Organizational Impact, Individual Impact, and Best of (Year). (8)


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7. "Dubuque Brothers Named Outstanding Young Iowans," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 10, 2004, p. 4
7. "Dubuque Brothers Named Outstanding Young Iowans," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 10, 2004, p. 4
8. "Have You Heard?" ''Telegraph Herald'', March 6, 2014, p. 23

Latest revision as of 04:18, 25 June 2022

PARKS, Bryce. ( ) A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (1992-1995) with a degree on broadcast journalism, Parks was the publisher of Community Incorporated/365Ink from October, 2000. His vocation in broadcasting actually began in high school.

In 1987 Parks, then a student at STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL was asked by Charlie Ellis, the multimedia director for the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT to join the Video Rangers, a group of high school students who earned class credit for working with the district's multimedia equipment. In 1995, and a graduate of Hempstead and U.N.I., Parks had Ellis' job with his former boss's blessing. In his job, Parks broadcast school board meetings; programmed information about school activities for Channel 46, the district's cable channel; produced videos' produced brochures; and helped coordinate the installation of an Iowa Communications Network site allowing the district participate in interactive communication through fiber optics. He also helped lead the Video Rangers. (1)

Parks developed a long history of civic participation. In 1999 he served as the communications director for the Dubuque Jaycees and was named its Jaycee of the Year. (2) He served on the Five Flags Advisory Commission and was an instructor for U.D. for Kids through the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE. Active in the music-scene, he played guitar and sang a member of Rock Surgeons which by 2011 had become Boomtangle. In 1999 Bryce and his brother Brad together with the Jaycees and the sponsor FIRSTAR held the Millennium Ball at Five Flags. A break-even event, it failed to raise money as planned for the America's River Project, but the popularity led the event to be repeated in 2000. (3) Working with Gary OLSEN, Bryce created a 20th century digital collage of Dubuque memorabilia. In 2000 Bryce and Olsen produced "Dubuque's Stained Glass" featuring stained glass windows in many local churches. The print, calendar and ransparency were fund-raisers for MARIA HOUSE. Bryce by then operated Dubuque365.com, a Dubuque website, and Parks Media Groyp.

It was Robert Parks, Bryce's father, who started his son on one of his most rewarding projects. Until his death in 2009, Robert Parks collected nearly 100,000 toys for local children as the coordinator of Toys For Tots. (4) In 2016 the Dubuque Toys for Tots program was recognized as the Midwest Regional Campaign of the Year with Parks named a regional winner. In 2017 he was one of the organizers of the Toys For Tots Kids' Christmas Party held at the FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER. In cooperation with McGraw-Hill Higher Education, THEISEN'S HOME-FARM-AUTO, PARAMOUNT AMBULANCE, and the DUBUQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT, the event drew more than two thousand people. (5)

In 2021 Toys For Tots in Dubuque was named the #1 Campaign in the United States by the National Marine Forces Reserve Toys For Tots Foundation. Parks was named the National Coordinator of the Year among the 832 national campaigns. In September, 2022 Parks was scheduled to speak for a third time at the National Toys For Tots Coordinators Conference in Washington, D.C. The Dubuque campaign, according to a press release from the national headquarters, provided new toys for an estimated 5,000 children in the tri-state region each holiday season. (6)

In 2004 Bryce and Brad both were named Outstanding Young Iowans by the Iowa Jaycees. The award made annually accepted nominations and awarded the honor to up to ten young men and women between the ages of 21 and 40. The two brothers were recognized for their creation of Dubuque365.com and their efforts over four years to make the program available in more than 17 Iowa cities. With muliple Iowa partner organizations, the Iowa365 Cultural Opportunity Network was awarded a best practice recognition by the Iowa for a Better Future organization and was recognized in 2004 as a top cultural project in the state. Brad served on the Vision Iowa Board, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Board was was a vice president with COTTINGHAM & BUTLER. (7)

Many organizations have been recognized through the 365INK Impact Awards which in 2014 was in its sixth year of existence. The awards were designed to highlight those who were making an impact on the Dubuque community whether in visible ways or behind the scenes. Recipients of the awards were selected by the staff of 365INK from submissions from the public, 365INK staff, and selected individuals and organizations who had daily contact with the people, organizations and businesses positively influencing the community. Awards were made in the following categories: Arts, Big Splash, Community Pride, Economic Development, Education, Family, Food & Dining, Health, Inclusion, Media, Music, Best New Thing, Nightline, Nonprofit Excellence, Shopping, Social Space, Sports and Recreation, Sustainability, Volunteerism, Youth Advocacy, Business Impact, Organizational Impact, Individual Impact, and Best of (Year). (8)

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Source:

1. Jerde, Lyn, "Ex-Video Ranger Snaps School Multimedia Job," Telegraph Herald, December 17, 1995, p. 1A

2. "Dubuque Jaycees Elect Officers," Telegraph Herald, March 17, 1999, p. 11

3. Berg, Renee, "Millennium Ball Ready to Roll in 2001," Telegraph Herald, November 13, 2000, p. 3

4. Hogstrom, Erik, "Toys for Tots Organizer Helps Kids, Battles Cancer," Telegraph Herald, December 17, 2018, p. 5

5. Hogstrom, Erik, "'Amazing' Toys For Tots Party Draws 2,000-Plus," Telegraph Herald, December 18, 2017, p. 1A

6. "Dubuque Toys for Tots Coordinator Recognized as Top in U.S." Telegraph Herald, June 19, 2022, p. 2A

7. "Dubuque Brothers Named Outstanding Young Iowans," Telegraph Herald, November 10, 2004, p. 4

8. "Have You Heard?" Telegraph Herald, March 6, 2014, p. 23