Urbandale Parks & Rec – Walnut Creek Park Landscaping Project

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.

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!

Art on the Prairie VanKirk Dedication in Perry

“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

As 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.

Adel DeSoto Minburn FFA Chapter Says Thank You

The 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

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!

Acorns & Oaks Intergenerational, Christian Daycare Ribbon Cutting

The 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

… more photos

 

Team Run Free

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

Dallas County Foundation Announces 2017 Grant Recipients

The Dallas County Foundation, in conjunction with Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, is pleased to announce that $133, 347.81 has been awarded to 29 Dallas County organizations for 2017 community betterment projects. 

Those receiving funds are charitable organizations with a tax designation of 501(c)3, 5, 6 or a 170(b) unit of government.

Since 2006 DCF has awarded over $965,347 to nearly 189 projects in Dallas County.  Those projects are listed at:  www.dallascountyfoundation.org.

This is the second year for Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation to grant funds to county foundations immediately surrounding Greene County. 

Grow Greene County intends to grant funds to these counties each year.

The Dallas County Foundation received $42,130.47 this year from GGCGC.

The next grant cycle will be announced in December 2017.

Dallas County Foundation is an affiliate of Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

DCF/GGC 2017 Grant Recipients are:

1. Adel – Adel Oakdale Pride – $2,500
Oakdale Cemetery Improvements

2. Adel – Adel Home Care Services – $2,500
Food proofer cabinet, upgrade floor

3. Adel – Team Run Free – $2,000 
Special needs run cart

4. Adel – Good Samaritan Food Pantry – $4,233
Air conditioning, office equipment

5. Adel Public Library – $2,800 
Community room flooring

6. Bouton – Veteran’s Memorial – $5,000 
Reconstruct memorial

7. Dallas County Food Bank of Iowa – $7,000
Dual axle delivery truck

8. Dallas County Habitat for Humanity – $5,000 
Storage trailer

9. Dallas County Brenton Arboretum – $2,000 
Color copier

10. Dallas Center – Spurgeon Manor – $3,000 
Rehab equipment

11. DeSoto AHeinz57 – $14,000 
New surgical equipment, bldg.

12. DeSoto Public Library – $1,017 – Laptops

13. Granger Hawks Dug Out Club – $5,600
Baseball bullpen fencing

14. Granger Parks and Rec – $3,500
Lighting for Centennial Park

15. Granger Police Department – $1,882 
In-car and body cameras

16. Minburn Comm. Betterment – $2,500
Parking lot improvements

17. Minburn Fire and Rescue – $800
Gas detection equipment

18. Minburn, City of – $9,000 
City Hall/library roof

19. Perry Historic Preservation – $1,500 
Veteran Mem repairs Violet Hill

20. Perry – Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter – $3,630.47
One room school house Forest Park

21. Dallas Co. Conservation – $20,000
Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail

22. Perry – New Hope Bargain Shoppe – $1,300
Display racks, point of sale iPad

23. Perry – Performing Arts HS – $2,500 
Theatre equipment

24. Perry – Paces Program – $2,500
Student program equipment

25. Perry – Industrial Tech – $5,000
Mobile welding carts

26. Perry – Lutheran Home – $5,585.34
Intergenerational day care

27. Perry – Public Library – $2,000 – Chairs

28. Perry – Art on the Prairie – $5,000 – Metal sculpture

29. Waukee – Public Library Friends – $10,000
Children’s Library Updates