2010 in a Nutshell
Have you seen Moneymottin???
The Ames Foundation couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to be part of the Adopt a Gnome action
at Reiman Gardens this Spring. With a theme of
“money” in mind, our board member and resident
artist, Jane Baty, designed a unique mural
depicting past AF community projects. With paint
brushes in hand, Jane and Joyce Vegge had fun
bringing “Moneymottin” to life; finishing touches
included adding a coin band and tasseled fez.
Moneymottin watched over the potting shed behind
the Hunziker House at Reiman Gardens during the
summer months.
continue well after the business was relocated
when the lumber yard was destroyed by fire on
August 2, 2001. Along with H.L. Munn, generations
of Munns, including Alfred (Fred), Hiram, Alfred
(Fritz) and Erik were involved with the business.
In 2003, the City of Ames Electric Utility purchased
the site from the Munn family and developed the
existing green space.”
Bandshell Park Improvements
Due to an increase in the number of events, and
requests from community groups to use the
Durham Bandshell facility, the City of Ames
submitted a $2,300 matching Community
Betterment Grant request to the Ames Foundation
for the installation of six additional electrical outlets.
They will be used primarily for concessions,
vending, exhibits, games and other activities that
require electricity. The project was completed in
time for the July 4 festivities.
Ames Foundation Board
Members Receive Community
Recognition
H. J. Munn Lumber Company Site
Dedication
On the afternoon of Friday, June 4, Joy Munn, her
sons, Steven and Eric, friends, and members of
The Ames Foundation gathered on the original site
of the Munn Lumber Company located at the Main
Street and Duff Avenue intersection. A green
space park preserves the landmark historical site
and a plaque designed by Ellen Landon celebrates
the 114 years of the Munn family’s service to the
Ames community. The plaque inscription reads: “
From 1891 to 2001 a lumber yard was located on
the site, Block 38 of Blairs Second Addition, 408
Duff Avenue. On June 25, 1896, H.L. Munn
became the first Munn family member to become
associated with the business. That tradition would
Unsung Hero Award Recipients
The “Ames Tribune” annually solicits nominations
from the community for its Unsung Hero Awards
which honor people who give generously, but
quietly, of their time and talent to help others. The
nominees come from all walks of life, but the thread
that unites all of them is their spirit of giving.
Recently, two Ames Foundation board members
received this distinction for their work in the
community.
Twelve year Ames Foundation board member, Jim
Mason, is often a silent, behind the scenes
contributor in our community. Landscaping is his
profession, but giving of himself is clearly his
passion.
Jim was instrumental in launching The Ames
Foundation’s Downtown Beautification Project this
spring. He donated countless hours developing a
plan, acquiring the
necessary support, and
supervising the actual
construction work. Jim has
a great sense of community
pride, and is a wonderful
bridge builder with other
organizations in the
community. The
partnership he has fostered
with Reiman Garden staff was
key in selecting the perfect plant materials for the
downtown streetscape facelift.
Jim Black learned the value
of service from Boys Scout,
and never forgot the oath that
he took some 50 years ago.
Black has expressed the
value of scouting to as many
as 150 young men over the
15 years he was involved in
the organization. Jim is a
member of the Boy Scout
Council’s executive board in Ames.
Jim is well-known for helping nonprofit
organizations focus on goals that make a
difference, using strategic planning to help them
chart a course for the future.
Jim also has been a valued board member of
Habitat for Humanity for six years, and his
contributions have helped the organization expand
from building two homes each year to seven. We
value his membership on the Ames Foundation
board as well.
Story County Philanthropy Award Recipients
Outstanding Volunteer
Fundraiser – Neala Benson
This fall, Neala was
nominated by Youth and
Shelter Services, Inc., for her
volunteer fundraising efforts
with the Heartwood House
and YSS Jacobson Youth and
Family Center. She has
served on numerous boards
in our community, and has
been involved in many major volunteer fundraising
initiatives and committees since she arrived in
Ames in 1962. Her involvement includes: Mary
Greeley Medical Center Auxiliary, the Israel Family
Hospice House endowment, and the Step Up and
Dive In campaign for the new Donald and Ruth
Furman Aquatic Center.
Neala serves in many leadership roles in the
organizations that she helps raise money for. She
is a past president of The Ames Foundation, and
helped spearhead fund raising efforts for the
Bandshell Restoration and the Downtown
Beautification Project.
Outstanding Group Volunteer
Fundraiser– Stacy Dreyer
Mary Greeley Medical Center
Auxiliary Board President,
Stacy Dreyer, was recognized
for her part in the Auxiliary’s
distinction as the largest
cumulative donor to Mary
Greeley Medical Center.
The Auxiliary utilizes multiple
funding resources to raise funds to support the
medical center and its programs. These activities
have included the Fantasy of Trees and Lights,
Hope Run for Hospice, and membership drives.
Stacy is the newly elected treasurer of The Ames
Foundation, and is completing her first three year
term on the board of directors.
The Ames Foundation is very proud of the
contributions of these board members, and we
applaud them for their many contributions to the
Ames Foundation and to the community. They truly
are making Ames a better place to live and grow.
Berger’s Birthday Benefit
Roger Berger, retired Iowa State University
industrial engineering professor, wanted to do
something different for his 75th birthday, and he
wanted to make a difference. So he gave $1,000 to
the Downtown Beautification Project, decided to
have his birthday party at Tom Evans Park, and
invited guests to make donations to the project in
lieu of a gift to him. Roger announced his plans in
a letter to the editor in the “Tribune,” and sent a
personal invitation to over 100 of his friends.!
On May 3, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tom Evans Park
was alive with music, and Roger’s birthday bash
gave visibility to the streetscape project like no
other form of advertisement could have done. The
Ames Foundation is grateful to Roger and his
The Main Street Beautification Project initially
included the removal of all existing plants, some
root-bound trees, and 8-12 inches of nutrition
lacking soil. The beds were then replenished with
enriched soil by staff from Country Landscape’s
Inc.
On the evening of May 26, approximately 50
volunteers from the Ames community assembled
on Main Street to help replant 17 street level
gardens, 26 large, 4 foot diameter planters, and 13
smaller, 2-3 foot diameter planters.
friends for raising $4,000 for the project while
promoting the Ames Foundation in the community..
Streetscape Improvement for
Downtown Ames
In the early 1900s, Ames held the distinction of
having the most beautiful landscape gardens
between Chicago and Denver. This March, The
Ames Foundation launched a $54,000 fund raising
campaign to rejuvenate a tired streetscape on Main
Street.
Steel decorative wraps were added to enhance the
large pots. All work was completed just in time for
the July 4th festivities.
The unusually rainy summer helped create
tremendous plant growth, with vibrant shades of
green and many other colors. This project has
created a new energy on Main Street, and it looks
fabulous!
These streetscape improvements would not have been
possible without the support of the Main Street Cultural
District http://www.mainstreetculturaldistrict.com/ , the
Ames Parks and Recreation and the generous financial
support of many community members. Those
contributions are listed later.
Ames Foundation Receives $3,000
Grant from Global Reach, Inc.
This summer, the Ames Foundation received a
$3,000 grant from Global Reach Inc., an Amesbased company that specializes in advanced web
application development and web site design. Jim
Black spearheaded the grant application process,
and the Foundation was notified in July that it was
one of 15 organizations selected to receive a
complimentary website design.
Committee members Carolyn Klaus, Karsten
Smedal, Bill LaGrange, Joyce Vegge and Chair,
Jim Black, have been working with the Global
Reach design consultant this fall. The new website
will be launched in January. If you’re reading this,
you’ve already found us at our current site.
www.amesfoundation.org
Ames Foundation Directors Update
At our annual meeting in October, five members of
the Ames Foundation completed their second term
of office. We want to thank outgoing directors: Bill
LaGrange, Art Mann, Charlie Ricketts, Jane Baty,
and Steve McLaughlin, treasurer, for their many
years of service and guidance. Thank you, also,
for your generous gifts of time and financial
contributions to make Ames a better place.
The Ames Foundation welcomes newly elected
directors: Austin Woodin, Barbara Burnham, Paul
Lasley, and Reiny Friedrich (not pictured.) Visit the
Contact Us tab to learn more about our board
members.
The Ames Foundation wishes to thank the following donors for making the
Downtown Beautification Project a reality
(1) Anonymous Donor
American Country, Inc
Ames Community Bank
Ames Dental Lab, Inc
Ames Silversmithing
Ames Unit #37-Am Legion
Ames Unit #37-Am Legion Auxiliary
Judy & Jim Amfahr
Marie Anderson
Sharon Anderson
Mary & Alan Atherly
Martha Atkins
Aunt Maude's
Achilles Avraamides
Pat & Louis Banitt
Angela Barnett
Rachael Barnett
Katherine & Verne Bates
Jane & John Baty
George Belitsos
Neala & Charles Benson
Randall Berger
Roger & Kay Berger
Cheryl Binzen
Mary Ann & James Black
Mary Brotherson
Nancy & Jim Brousard
Leroy Burchinal
Agatha & George Burnet
Ann Campbell
Lynne Carey
Cathy & David Carlyle
Lou Cathcart
Chocolaterie Stam
Corner Pocket
Patricia Cotter
Country Landscapes
Phyllis & David Craig
Hamilton Cravens
Herbert David
Ferne & Wayne Davis
Jeremy Davis
Dayton Road Development Corp
Carol & Bob Deppe
Geri Derner
Mary & William Dilla
Linda & John Doyle
M. Burton Drexler
Stacy & Gene Dreyer
Duck Worth Wearing
Peggy Earnshaw
Patricia & John Eitel
Carol Elbert
Navid Emami
Emerhoff's Footwear
Don & Becky Erickson
First National Bank, Ames
Tom Flack
Lynne & Terry Franco
Susan & Hugo Franzen
Freeman Financial Services
Maureen & Reiny Friedrich
Gilger Designs
Barb & Jim Gohman
Hannah & David Gradwohl
Great Stuff Consignment
Greater Iowa Credit Union
Florence Hamrick
Ruth & Eugene Harris
Rae & Richard Haws
Isabel Hendrickson
His & Hers Styling Salon
Judith & David Hoffman
Dennis Hokel
Carole & Jack Horowitz
Betty Baudler Horras
Hyland Shoe Repair
Hy-Vee Drugstore
It's All About Me!
Jane R & John Jacobson
Roger Jacobson
Marilyn Johnson
Mary Jane Johnson
Jones Triad, Inc
Carolyn & Dr Charles Jons
Judith Kavanagh
Carole Kazmierski
KCI Landscaping
Anne Kinzel
Janet & Erwin Klaas
Carolyn & John Klaus
Susan Koons
Laura & Bill LaGrange
Lazy M Shoes
Jane Lohnes
Dudley Luckett
Jere Maddux
Main Street Cultural District
Bernadine & Arthur Mann
Adin Mann
Beth & Craig Marrs
Annamae & Steven McLaughlin
Helen & Dan McRoberts
Eileen & Morris Mericle
Marla & Michael Miller
Moorman's Clothiers Ames
Dilys Morris
Barbara & Bruce Munson
Nature's Touch Jewelry
Nelson Electric
Donna Newborough
S. Norris
James Okey
Olde Main Brewing Co.
Peter Orazem
Marcie Osmundson
Pat Brown State Farm Insurance
Andrea & Matthew Patitz
Janet & Don Payer
Randi & Steven Peters
Susie Petra
PhotoSynthesis
Julie & Jim Popken
QC Corporation
Herman Quirmbach
Susan & Alvin Ravenscroft
Marsha & Paul Readhead
Judith & Michael Reese
Mary Richards
Phyllis & Charles Ricketts
Joseph Rippetoe
Ardie & Don Roehr
Jeanne & Rod Rogert
Laurie & Mark Rohlfing
Thomas Russell
Candy & Steven Schainker
Shirley & Kenneth Shaw
Suzan & John Shierholz
Sigler Companies
Skunk River Sports Inc
Melissa & David Sly
Sharon & Karsten Smedal
Stafford Foundation
Stoltz & Stoltz Family Dentist
Robert Strahan
Wilma & Roland Struss
Katherine Svec
Paul Tanaka
Temptations on Main
Beatrice Tepper
Leigh Tesfatsion
The Ames Foundation
U.S. Bank
Jane & Fred Vallier
Lynne Van Valin
Joyce & Daryle Vegge
Gregory Vitale
C.K. Walter
Janice & Marvin Walter
Martha & Robert Watson
Carolyn & Arthur Weeks
Mary Wells
Wells Fargo
Dennis Wendell
Nicholos Wethington
B. Joan White
Wild Birds Unlimited
Sylva & David Williams
Sharon & Donald Wirth
Melissa & Austin Woodin
XI Theta Sigma Sorority
Suzanne Zilber