4 minute read
Grain for the Cure
By Anita Sharkey
As one drives through the quaint town of Morrisonville, Ill., on a cool and vibrant autumn day, an eye can be drawn to several prominent pink signs bearing the messages, “Give a little grain & you have given a lot of HOPE!” and “Grain for the Cure, Are You In?” These distinctive pink signs stand as symbols of a genuine mission to combat cancer. The mission of “Grain for the Cure” is a way to gather friends, families and community members with a singular purpose – to support a cause that has touched countless lives.
Dale Himstedt wears many hats. He is a husband, father, Illinois farmer and owner of D&H Drainage. As a businessman, he wants to make an impact on his community. He drew inspiration from the endeavors of Springfield Plastics, a company that, in the past eight years, has amassed over $400,000 through their initiative known as "Drain for a Cure." This company commits to matching donations of up to $30,000, which are directed to the Simmons Cancer Institute at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, situated in Springfield, Ill. Dale piggybacked off this idea to create "Grain for a Cure," during which he appealed to fellow farmers to contribute a "splash of grain" during the busy season.
Himstedt employs his D&H Facebook page as a platform to champion this cause. Supporters are consistently updated through this channel. One of the posts states, “We are truly humbled by the support that we’ve received so far this year with GRAIN FOR THE CURE! Grain elevators in the surrounding area are ready to take your donations and have information ready to share about this wonderful cause!”
Throughout the harvest season, contributions can be made through various avenues. The community's local grain elevator serves as a drop-off point where farmers can contribute a portion of their grain. Farmers also have the convenience of contacting Dale directly via his cellphone. Then, he promptly brings the wagon over to their field.
Dale partners with Springfield Plastic Inc. and S&J Gray Trucking Inc. to make all the pieces of “Grain for the Cure” happen. Jamie, Dale's daughter, is the creative mind behind the pink signs decorating the grain cart. This fall will mark their third year putting on this fundraiser. Last year, D&H Drainage was happy to announce on their Facebook the following:
“Together, we were able to raise over $32,000 for GRAIN FOR THE CURE! Truly remarkable & humbling. Again, we thank YOU!” These funds go directly to support cancer prevention and research efforts at Simmons Cancer Institute.
The readers of this publication are undoubtedly familiar with the immense value of time during the harvest season. When farmers set aside moments from their busy schedules to contribute the crops they've invested their hard work and passion into, it genuinely reflects the admirable qualities that define these farmers. The agriculture community in Morrisonville is truly an inspiration to all. The cumulative effect of even a handful of farmers sharing a fraction of their valuable crops manages to yield a substantial impact.
To take this a step further, Dale and his family are rallying all farmers to take action. Implementing similar practices in their region has the potential to create a substantial global impact. “I would love to see others doing this,” says Dale.
In the grand tapestry of life, the impact of cancer touches every thread. It's not confined to the realm of individuals facing diagnosis, nor restricted to the halls of medical institutions. The ripples of its presence extend far and wide, influencing families, friends and communities. With each step taken, and each dollar raised, we embark on a journey of compassion and resilience, proving that even in the face of adversity, our collective strength knows no bounds. This fundraiser, “Grain for the Cure,” stands as a testament to farming communities' unwavering commitment to eradicating cancer from our lives and the lives of those we cherish.
