The Severson Charity Challenge Enters its Final Year

For the past 11 years, staff of the cities of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and University Heights along with Johnson County staff have competed in the Severson Charity Challenge to gather donations during the holiday season to benefit local charities. North Liberty won the most recent challenge.

This year we’re switching things up.

In November, elected officials from our communities who represent the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County, voted to make this year the final year of the challenge and to make it a collective effort. Working together as one community, our “challenge” is to raise $9,000 to be shared equally between the three food pantries that serve residents of Johnson County.

Linda Severson served as the MPO’s human services coordinator from 1994 until her death in 2011. Linda was a tireless and skilled advocate and her fingerprints are on many of the programs and policies that serve Johnson County residents who have disabilities, suffer from mental illness, or face economic challenges. The “Charity Challenge” was inspired by just one of the many acts of generosity and compassion for which Linda was known—each year she coordinated the City of Iowa City’s holiday donation drive collecting essential items for those in need.

Over the past 11 years, the Severson Challenge has raised nearly $90,000 in donations for local charities. Because this will be the final year of the challenge, we will set aside up to $500 for a permanent memorial to Linda Severson. We hope everyone will help make the last Severson Charity Challenge a success!

The Charity Challenge runs from today, Dec. 5, 2022, until Jan. 10, 2023. Donations can be made through GoFundMe.