Bouton Veteran’s Memorial – Progress to Date

2017-DCF-Bouton-Vet-MemorialThe Bouton Veteran’s Memorial was a $5,000. 2017 Grant Recipient of the Dallas County Foundation.

The grant went towards the reconstruction of the Bouton Veteran’s Memorial.

The group continues to raise funds to complete the project.

It is a welcome site to see the new structure and we look forward to when the names are adde t honor those who proudly serve in our Armed Forces.


Urbandale Parks & Rec – Walnut Creek Park Landscaping Project

Urbandale-Parks-Rec-Walnut-Creek-Park-Landscaping-Project-02

The City of Urbandale’s Parks and Recreation was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for their Walnut Creek Regional Park Specialized Landscaping Project.

Walnut Creek Regional Park is a 200 acre park located in Dallas County. The park is a natural park surrounded by residential development. The park has a 12 foot wide, one mile long concrete trail running north/south from Meredith Drive to Douglas Avenue.

The intent of the project was to provide an educational component in the park consisting of pods or pockets along the trail corridor. These pods would be frequently mowed and maintained and would be theme oriented with signage explaining the importance of preserving native prairie, forbs, and trees as a sanctuary for wildlife being displaced from residential development.

Each pod will contain the informational signage, plantings related to the signage, and hardscape landscaping for access and complimenting the presentation. 

There are plans to do more prairie management projects in the park that will compliment this project.


City of Clive Parks and Recreation – Pickle Ball Courts

The City of Clive Parks and Recreation was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for their Wildwood Pickleball Courts.

The project goal was to convert an underused roller hockey rink into four Pickleball courts. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and this facility would provide the most outdoor courts in one location in the metro. The courts were completed September 15th and have been very popular since opening for play.

This past June we had an open house event at the park which featured a Pickleball demonstration and promotion to the neighborhood of the planned improvements. Attendance was very good (100 plus attended), and many people got a chance to play the game for the first time.

People were very excited about the courts and this facility will be a great benefit to the community.

Clive-Pickle-Ball-Project-01

Clive-Pickle-Ball-Project-02

Clive-Pickle-Ball-Project-03


City of DeSoto – Equipment for Food Stand at Ball Park

The City of DeSoto – Public Works Department was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for equipment for the concession stand at the Little League Baseball field.

A commercial popcorn machine, hot dog cooker/roller machine and commercial crock pot that can be used for various foods were purchased. The equipment completed the concession stands needs and has afforded us the opportunity to serve families in or community and those visiting during baseball season.

Signs are posted that read “Best Popcorn in Dallas County: voted on by DeSoto Public Works Staff‘.

Crews enjoyed their time working at the concession stand all summer and more importantly the families that visited were provided a service that they have not been offered in past years.

We are already looking forward to hearing the infamous quote, “Play Ball” next season!

City-of-DeSoto-Public-Works-2016


Art on the Prairie VanKirk Dedication in Perry

Prairie-VanKirk-Dedication4

“It was a beautiful evening for the dedication of the nine foot tall lighted sculpture placed on the boulevard in Perry. As you may recall, Dallas County Foundation donated funds to Art on the Prairie for this project. “Born of Fire” was dedicated in memory of Progressive Foundry owner Pete VanKirk. The VanKirk family paid tribute to the memories of their father and supporter of the Perry Community.

The Ladies of LaPoste, Jenny Eklund, Mary Rose Nichols and Colleen Ekhoff were instrumental in raising funds, designing and creation of this memorial to the Progressive Foundry. There will be three more similar pieces honoring Railroad, Farmers, and
the Greene/Ahmanson family.

Thank you board members that were able to attend. The Bock Foundation and Dallas County Foundation, plus private donors were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs and brats along with ice cream from a unique vendor truck.

Thank you Jenny, Mary and Colleen for all your hard work.”

VanKirk family


New Perry Benches in the Downtown Cultural District

City-of-Perry-benches2As you visit downtown Perry you may have noticed the new benches, planters and trash receptacles.

The City of Perry is a Dallas County Foundation 2016 Grant Recipient with the goal of; increased foot traffic in the downtown, increased pride in the community, additional businesses that choose to locate in the downtown, a reduction in litter throughout the downtown district and a more defined and inviting sense of place in the Downtown Cultural District.

The benches, planters and trash receptacles arrived in July and will be placed throughout the Downtown by November.

They hope to continue to upgrade their existing inventory of planters, as well as expand their reach of furnishings throughout town to create a cohesive look throughout.

City-of-Perry-benches1


Adel DeSoto Minburn FFA Chapter Says Thank You

ADM-FFA-MicroscopesThe Adel DeSoto Minburn FFA Chapter would like to thank the Dallas County Foundation for awarding us S949.00 to help purchase a set of compound microscopes for our classroom.

The set of six microscopes came in very handy to help students complete inquiry-based projects through the CASE curriculum in our agriculture classes.

These microscopes allowed students to get a closer look at things such as the internal structure of plant stems, the growing point (meristem) of roots and shoots, microscopic organisms such as molds, bacteria, and parasite eggs, the different stages of mitosis and meiosis, and much more.

We look forward to expanding our use of the microscopes in other classes next year.

Thanks again!

~ Adel DeSoto Minburn FFA Chapter


Habitat for Humanity Trailer Dedication

DCF-Habitat2

Tim Canney, President of the Dallas County Foundation

August 4th, 2017. Dallas County Foundation attended the dedication of Habitat for Humanity trailer dedication.

The Dallas County Habitat for Humanity was awarded $5,000.00 in 2017 for the purchase of a storage trailer to be used in Dallas County.

About Habitat for Humanity: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Dallas County (Iowa) Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

We work in partnership with generous donors, sponsors and volunteers to preserve homeownership through affordable home repairs and provide affordable homeownership for qualified low-income families.

We are a uniquely local philanthropy welcoming all to join us in building a better Dallas County and a better word – one where everyone has a decent place to live!

DCF-Habitat3


Acorns & Oaks Intergenerational, Christian Daycare Ribbon Cutting

Acorns and OaksThe Perry Lutheran Home held a ribbon cutting and Blessings ceremony for their Acorns & Oaks Intergenerational Christian daycare, Friday, July 28th. 

Nearly a hundred people attended the ceremonies.

Community support for the new Daycare has been overwhelming.

Perry Luteran Home is a 2017 Dallas County Foundation Grant recipient.

“We are extremely blessed to be located in a supportive community like Perry, Iowa. The impact of this Christ-Centered, Intergenerational mission is something far beyond what we can imagine. On behalf of everyone at Perry Lutheran Home, I would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the many partners including the Dallas County Foundation, the Bock Foundation, Iowa District West, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the members of Christ Lutheran Church in Bouton, along with many individuals who helped to make the daycare space what it is today and help bring this dream to fruition,” expresses Rev. Max Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Perry Lutheran Home… read more

AcornsAndOaks

AcornsandOaks

AcornsandOaks
… more photos

 


Team Run Free

DCF-TeamRun2

This is Kevin Hircock of Team Run Free and T.J. Denham.

The Dallas County Foundation awarded Team Run Free grant funds which allowed them to purchase a custom made running cart to allow for bigger people to run with them.

“TJ has been very busy. We have caregivers now, and there are a couple who are his age. When they are here, we don’t see much of them because they are on the go. It has been so good for him. He has also started participating in 5Ks, much to my surprise. I did not think he would enjoy that, but he wants to go every time there is an opportunity. He runs with a nonprofit team called Team Run Free whose runners push special needs in carts. It has been a wonderful, fun thing for him to do. They purchased another bigger cart for him because he is so long. I call it Big Red. I attached a picture of the Boy Scout race out in Waukee a couple of weeks ago.” – Kelly Denham

DCF-TeamRun1

Kevin Hircock with T.J. Denham at the Boy Scout Race in Waukee.