(The Power of Giving)
GRINNELL, IA (Sept. 28) – By happenstance the theme of the Grinnell Rotary Club’s meeting on Tues., Sept. 28, centered on the power of giving.
Keir Johnson, president, thanked members for a successful Kites Over Grinnell held last Sat., Sept. 25. Run by all volunteers, the entire event, including venue, kites, supplies, lunch, games, and music, was free. The professional kite fliers donated their time to entertain the crowd with their spectacular kites. The prizes for the hourly drawing and the games were donated by businesses. Thus, volunteers pooled their time and effort to give families, especially young children, a perfect September day to fly a kite.
The Club presented Valerie Steinbach, the director of the Grinnell Community Early Learning Center with a check for $2250, representing a Community Service Grant, a matching grant of both the Grinnell Rotary Club and Rotary’s District 6000. The gift will purchase much needed supplies for the day care center, including cot carriers, cot clips, cot sheets, and tricycles.
Finally, the guest speakers were Julie Gosselink, president of the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, and Nicole Brua-Behrens, executive director of the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation (GPCF). The duo traced the growth of their foundations’ partnership that began in 2006 and has led to a dynamic synergy.
Sharing office space and a staff of ten has saved on administrative cost and has given both entities flexibility and ability to respond to community needs in a timely manner.
A case in point is the Grinnell Food Coalition created to respond to food insecurity brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since its inception the fund has raised $350,000 that continues to be distributed through food vouchers for those in need.
Since 2006, the assets of GPCF have grown from $500,000 to $11 million – a growth that signifies the increase in the number of donor funds now managed by GPCF and that support numerous community projects and causes.
When asked what pressing need must still be funded in Poweshiek County, both Gosselink and Brua-Behrens said, “mental health services.”
The Grinnell Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at West Side Dining on 6th Ave., Grinnell.