The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, known locally as Downtown Rotary, has honored three local leaders with its annual awards recognizing outstanding service to the community and to the club. The awards are presented each year at the close of the Rotary year.
Cedar Rapids City Council Member Scott Olson, radio host Eric Hanson and past club president Brooke Fitzgerald were recognized for their contributions to the Cedar Rapids community.
“These three individuals reflect Rotary’s guiding principle of Service Above Self,” said 2025-2026 Club President Robb Loftsgard. “Whether in city government, on the airwaves, or behind the scenes of our own club, each of them has helped make Cedar Rapids a stronger, more vibrant community.”
Community Service Award: Scott Olson
Mr. Olson, a Cedar Rapids City Council member and commercial real estate broker, received the club’s Community Service Award, presented for extensive public service and recognized leadership in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area.
He was honored for leading and supporting the region across a five-decade career marked by distinguished nonprofit and governmental leadership. A Washington High School and Iowa State University graduate who has called Cedar Rapids home since 1961, Mr. Olson has been active in more than 50 civic, community and professional organizations at the local, regional and national levels, spanning human service agencies, affordable housing, downtown development, and city and county commissions.
The Community Service Award includes a $500 gift to the charity or charities of the recipient’s choice.
Club Appreciation Award: Eric Hanson
Mr. Hanson, longtime co-host of “The Morning Scramble” on Z102.9, received the club’s Appreciation Award, which recognizes an extraordinary contribution to charitable causes by someone outside the club’s membership.
He was honored for his tireless support of the local nonprofit community, frequently serving as host and emcee for area events and galas that help organizations raise the funds they need to fulfill their missions. Mr. Hanson was also recognized for bringing positive visibility to Cedar Rapids through his work in media, including helping lead the city’s successful effort to set the world record for the largest cereal breakfast on Sept. 20, 2025. He was recognized as one of the Iowa Broadcasters of the Year in 2022 by the Iowa Broadcasters Association.
The Appreciation Award includes a $250 gift to the recipient’s charity of choice.
Larry Christy Club Service Award: Brooke Fitzgerald
Ms. Fitzgerald, owner of the leadership coaching firm The Restoration Project and Downtown Rotary’s president for the 2024-25 year, received the Larry Christy Club Service Award. Named for longtime club secretary Larry Christy, who retired in 2014, the award recognizes a club member who has gone above and beyond for the club over the past year.
She was honored for stepping in to handle the club’s Executive Director duties after the previous director departed unexpectedly, guiding day-to-day operations of Iowa’s second-largest Rotary club through a major period of transition.
The Larry Christy Award includes a $250 gift to the recipient’s charity of choice.
