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Walshes Named Waukee’s 2016 Citizens of the Year
4/17/2017Waukee, Iowa — Waukee Mayor Bill Peard recently named long-time residents and business owners Andy and Amy Walsh Waukee’s 2016 Citizens of the Year. The Walshes own and operate Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee.
They were chosen for the honor by a committee consisting of Mayor Peard; Cindi McDonald, Waukee Community School District Superintendent; Don Frazer, Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce President and Frank Hoifeldt, 2015 Citizen of the Year.
The Walshes were nominated by Waukee business owner and past Citizen of the Year Terry Snyder. In the nomination letter, Snyder noted that the couple supports the Waukee community in endless ways. Andy is very active in Waukee Crime Stoppers and took part in the Waukee Police Citizen’s Academy. They are both involved in the Raccoon River Valley Trail Bike Association and the annual BACooN Ride, and they provide assistance to countless organizations and charitable causes in the Waukee area.
Andy and Amy Walsh have helped with fundraising events for Ducks Unlimited, the Waukee Family YMCA and the Waukee Leadership Institute’s Veterans Memorial. They have offered discounted or donated appetizers and drinks to other charities in the Waukee area, including the annual Alice’s Spaghetti Land Dinner which benefits the Waukee Area Historical Society. The couple has held AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport fundraisers and they host a free-admission Thanksgiving dinner each year for Waukee residents. Any free will donations from the event are given to charities such as Toys for Tots, Mentor Iowa, Amanda the Panda and JDRF.
“We can’t ever write a big donation check, but we do have a facility with (in our opinion) the best staff in town to help charities or community event committees achieve their goals,” said Amy.
Amy is a member of the Iowa Restaurant Association board. They were the Iowa Restaurant Neighbor Award Winners in 2015, an honor given to them for their commitment to Waukee and its bike trails. They both have restaurant degrees and extensive restaurant experience.
“Amy and Andy Walsh are unassuming, yet absolutely deserving, winners of this award,” said Waukee Mayor Bill Peard. “They work hard all the time to run their business, but then they also find the hours to help the community and those who live here. They don’t do these heartfelt things with awards in mind; they do them because they are kind and generous people.”
As Citizens of the Year, the Walshes will be honored at an open house reception on Tuesday, May 16 at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee. The pub is located in Warrior Plaza at 50 SE Laurel. The couple will be presented with a proclamation and Key to the City by Mayor Peard. They will also have the honor of riding in the Celebrate Waukee and Fourth of July parades.
