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COMMUNITY ACTION OF SOUTHEAST IOWA IMPACT GRANT
FOUNDATIONS HONORED FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT
MERLE EBERLINE: A LEGACY OF QUIET GENEROSITY
KEOKUK AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
THECOMMUNITY
NORTH LEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
WHAT’S INSIDE
TheHeartofCommunity The Heart ofCommunity
As I reflect on the stories you'll read throughout this newsletter, one thought continues to come to mind: community is built one act of kindness at a time. Within these pages, you'll meet remarkable organizations and individuals who have dedicated themselves to making Lee County stronger. You'll read about volunteers building beds so children have a safe place to sleep, organizations placing books into the hands of young readers, leaders creating opportunities through education and workforce development, and neighbors working together to improve the lives of others. Every project is different, but they all begin with people who care deeply about their community.
Behind every grant, scholarship, and initiative are countless individuals whose generosity often goes unseen. They are the volunteers who give their time, the donors who quietly invest in causes they believe in, the nonprofit leaders who devote their hearts to serving others, and the community members who simply ask, "How can I help?"
As you read these stories, I hope you'll celebrate what has been accomplished, but I also hope you'll be inspired to discover your own passion. Whether it's mentoring a child, supporting the arts, preserving local history, strengthening public health, serving on a board, or simply making a donation that allows someone else's vision to become reality.
There is no contribution too small. Every act of generosity creates a ripple, and those ripples eventually become waves of lasting change. That is the story you'll find throughout these pages. It is the story of people investing in people. It is the story of neighbors helping neighbors.
Thank you for being part of the story of Lee County. Together, through compassion, generosity, and a shared commitment to helping others, we continue to make our communities extraordinary places to live, grow, and give.
Leah Carroll Chief Communications Officer Keokuk Area Community Foundation & North Lee Community Foundation
Established in 2005 to strengthen the communities of Lee County, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation work together to turn generosity into lasting impact.
As donor-driven public foundations, we connect individuals, families, and businesses with the causes they care about, building permanent endowments that support our region today and for generations to come.
Our shared mission is to meet community needs, foster strong local leadership, and help nonprofits, schools, churches, and charities thrive. Each endowed gift entrusted to our care is invested and managed in perpetuity, creating a legacy of support that continues forever.
Together, we serve as a bridge between donors and community partners, linking passion with purpose, strengthening local organizations, and promoting the common good throughout the Tri-State region.
KEOKUKFOUNDATION.ORG
Roger Ricketts Chief Operating Officer
Philip Ricketts Leah Carroll Haley Shaffer
BoardMember
KACF
BOARD MEMBER: AMY MEFFORD
Amy, what ultimately inspired you to join the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Board of Directors?
I’ve always believed that strong communities are built by people who care enough to invest their time, energy, and resources into them. Growing up in Keokuk, I saw firsthand how much local organizations, businesses, and volunteers can impact the lives of others. The Foundation brings together people who genuinely want to make Lee County stronger for future generations, and I wanted to be part of that effort in a meaningful way.
Your parents, Lisa and Mike Pribyl, both previously served on the Foundation board. What does it mean to you to continue your family’s involvement with KACF?
It means a great deal to me. My parents always led by example when it came to supporting our community, and service was simply something our family valued. Watching them give their time and talents to organizations like the Foundation showed me the importance of being involved and helping where you can. Continuing that involvement feels very special because it allows me to carry on a tradition of community commitment that has been important to our family for generations.
As a co-owner of Cahill Pribyl Jewelry and Gifts, your family business has been part of the Keokuk community for generations. How has that shaped your perspective on giving back and supporting the community?
Being part of a family business that has served this community for generations gives you a unique appreciation for the people here. We’ve celebrated milestones with families, shared in difficult moments, and built relationships that span decades. You realize very quickly that a business is only as strong as the community surrounding it. That perspective has made giving back feel less like an obligation and more like a responsibility and privilege. Supporting local organizations, events, and initiatives helps ensure that Keokuk continues to be a place where families and businesses can thrive.
What excites you most about the work the Foundation is doing in Lee County right now?
What excites me most is the Foundation’s ability to create long-term impact. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofits, scholarships, community projects, or helping donors make meaningful contributions, the Foundation is constantly investing in the future of Lee County. I also love that it brings together people from different backgrounds who all share the same goal of making our communities better. There’s a lot of positive momentum when people collaborate in that way.
When you think about the future of Keokuk and Lee County, what gives you the most hope?
What gives me hope is the people. There are so many individuals here who genuinely care about this community and are willing to step up, volunteer, support local businesses, and invest in the future. I also think there’s a growing appreciation for preserving what makes our area special while still looking ahead for new opportunities. Communities grow stronger when people choose to stay engaged, and I see that happening every day in Keokuk and throughout Lee County.
Lisa Pribyl, Mike Pribyl, and Amy Pribyl Mefford
Spotlights
NLCF BOARD MEMBER: CHAD WARD
You've been involved with numerous organizations and leadership roles throughout the Fort Madison community. What motivates you to continue giving your time and energy to community service?
I believe for a community to do well it takes a lot of people to keep things going. I feel motivated because our community has so much to offer and great things going on, but they don't exist without volunteers being involved.
As a lifelong Fort Madison resident, what are some of the things you value most about this community, and what makes you optimistic about its future?
I value that we have great things to offer. Good schools, a YMCA, Art Center, great parks, the Fort, the Mighty Mississippi. All of these have existed for years and they all take volunteers to help on boards and do work with them to continue the quality of life that others have made sure we have had before us.
What has serving on the North Lee Community Foundation Board meant to you personally, and why do you believe community foundations are important to the future of Lee County?
Serving on the Foundation Board has been great. I've got to see it grow, not only financially, but the many organizations it touches in all of Lee County and the surrounding areas. The Merlin Hellman's and the Joe Kowzan's and so many others that had a vision and just grateful to carry on that vision and see it continue to grow. Another favorite part is all the scholarships the foundation has to offer and so many great applicants that we can touch and in so many different areas that our students can go into studying etc. We have so many young quality of applicants it makes me happy what the future holds, not only for them, but for our communities.
Remaining2026GrantCycles
LEE COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES, INC.
APPLY 7/1/2026 – 9/15/2026
Eligibility Requirements
Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations specializing in youth programs. Grants awarded up to $5,000.
KOWZAN / SANDROCK GRANT FUND
APPLY 8/3/2026 – 10/5/2026
Eligibility Requirements
Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, churches, and schools with charitable intent will be considered. Grants awarded up to $10,000.
Community Action of Southeast Iowa - Head Start Renovation Project
For more than 20 years, Community Action of Southeast Iowa has envisioned a new building in Fort Madison that could better serve children, families, and the community. Thanks in part to a $100,000 Hellman IMPACT Grant, that vision is now moving closer to reality.
Community Action of Southeast Iowa and Head Start are renovating a recently purchased building located at 1602 Avenue F in Fort Madison. Once complete, the facility will become a centralized early childhood education and family services center, bringing together programs currently housed at multiple locations into one accessible, safe, and fully functional space.
“The Hellman grant is helping complete what has been a dream in Fort Madison for over 20 years: a new building,” said Sheri Wilson of Community Action of Southeast Iowa. “As you can imagine, prices have risen over the past seven years since we received the original Head Start grant. Add to that the unknown construction costs incurred in most building projects. The grant really shows the community’s interest in investing in the people of Fort Madison and will help us complete the building.”
The project began in the fall of 2019, when Community Action’s Head Start program submitted a five-year competitive grant application. That application included a request for funds to renovate buildings in both Mount Pleasant and Fort Madison for Head Start programming. While the organization was able to purchase and renovate a Mount Pleasant building that became the Glenwood Head Start Center, the search for a suitable Fort Madison location continued for more than five years.
“The grant really shows the community’s interest in investing in the people of Fort
Madison and will help us complete the building.”
Now, with the Avenue F building secured and renovations underway, Community Action anticipates starting the new school year at the new Fort Madison location.
The project will combine services currently provided at the Community Action Eichacker Center and the Richardson School location. At the Eichacker Center, Community Action currently operates a Head Start classroom, kitchen, office space for the Head Start Family Specialist and the Center Family Development Specialist, as well as a small food pantry. The organization will also move two classrooms, one Head Start and one Early Head Start, currently housed in a mobile unit at Richardson School.
When completed, the new facility will include Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, office space, a food pantry, a kitchen, storage and program areas, and a large motor room to support children’s physical development. The outdoor space has already been partially developed, including a fenced playground area with poured-in-place safety surfacing and age-appropriate climbing structures for both Head Start and Early Head Start children.
The building itself offers 8,732 square feet across two levels and includes features that make it well-suited for the project, including a fully functioning kitchen, reception area, multiple office spaces, ADA-accessible entrances, public restrooms on each level, and two large parking areas. Phase 2 renovations will ensure the facility meets Head Start and Early Head Start health, safety, licensing, and program requirements. Planned improvements include permanent classroom walls, child-appropriate restrooms, indoor and outdoor safety updates, and other infrastructure needed to prepare the building for occupancy.
The new location is also expected to remove barriers for families. Located in a residential area near the city center and within walking distance of low-income housing, the facility will make it easier for families without reliable transportation to access services consistently. Community Action anticipates the move will help improve attendance, enrollment consistency, and parent engagement.
Beyond early childhood education, the facility will house several Community Action programs that support families in Lee County. Those include Energy Assistance, also known as LIHEAP; Weatherization; WIC; Family Development and Self-Sufficiency, or FaDSS; emergency rent and utility assistance; housing assistance; food pantry services; employment counseling; budget counseling; and family support services.
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By bringing those programs together in one location, Community Action hopes to make services easier for families to access and more coordinated for staff and partner agencies.
Head Start is one of many programs offered by Community Action of Southeast Iowa. Each year, the agency serves approximately 13 percent of Lee County’s population.
“Community Action of Southeast Iowa is dedicated to alleviating the conditions and causes of poverty by building partnerships and strengthening people through quality services,” Wilson said. “This grant will help us further our mission in Fort Madison.”
The Fort Madison Head Start Renovation Project is supported by multiple funding sources. Community Action of Southeast Iowa was awarded a Head Start grant totaling more than $758,000, with $450,000 allocated for the building purchase and more than $308,000 dedicated to renovation costs. Harmony Church, the previous owner of the building, also contributed $30,000 toward the project, and more than $63,000 in nonfederal in-kind contributions have supported costs such as labor, materials, and moving expenses.
In total, more than $850,000 has already been invested or committed to the project. The $100,000 Hellman IMPACT Grant helps close the remaining funding gap needed to complete Phase 2 construction and prepare the facility for occupancy.
The project is expected to impact more than 4,000 people by improving access to essential services, strengthening early childhood education, increasing family engagement, and creating a safer, more efficient environment for children, families, and staff.
For the North Lee Community Foundation and the Hellman IMPACT Grant program, the project represents the type of investment designed to create meaningful, long-term benefit for Lee County residents.
The completed facility will not only provide a new home for Head Start and Early Head Start in Fort Madison, but also serve as a community hub where families can access education, nutrition support, housing assistance, energy assistance, and other resources in one place.
For Community Action of Southeast Iowa, the project is more than a building renovation. It is an investment in children, families, and the future of Fort Madison.
Current Fort Madison Head Start
ExpandingOpportunities ThroughtheMatteson Scholarship
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation announced a major expansion of one of the region’s most impactful scholarship programs in 2026, increasing the Matteson Scholarship to a total potential award of $16,000 per student.
Beginning with the 2026 scholarship cycle, Matteson Scholarship recipients may now receive up to $4,000 per year for four years, increasing the total potential scholarship support from $12,000 to $16,000. The increase applies to both current recipients and future students selected for the program. The scholarship supports students pursuing careers in agriculture, health and medical sciences, nursing, engineering, information technology, and skilled trades - fields that continue to play a vital role in the workforce and future growth of Southeast Iowa communities.
“As education costs continue to rise, I am proud that the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation made that profound decision to increase the scholarship amount of the Matteson Scholarship,” said Philip Ricketts, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundations.
The Matteson Scholarship was created through the generosity and vision of Lawrence W. Matteson and his wife, Marilyn, whose commitment to supporting educational opportunity continues to impact students across the region.
Lawrence Matteson rose from humble beginnings on a family farm to build L.W. Matteson, Inc. into one of the nation’s leading dredging and marine construction companies. After selling the company, Lawrence and Marilyn embraced a philosophy of “experiencing the joy of giving while living,” directing their philanthropy toward healthcare, education, and community causes.
Unlike many traditional merit-based scholarships, the Matteson Scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate financial need, strong character, determination, and clear career goals, including many students pursuing two-year degree programs, technical certifications, and skilled trade careers.
Since 2020, the scholarship has helped hundreds of students pursue career training and educational opportunities that may otherwise have been financially out of reach.
In 2025, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation posthumously honored Lawrence Matteson with the Eichacker Award for Philanthropy in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to education and community impact.
Foundation leaders hope the increased scholarship funding will continue expanding educational access and helping students build meaningful careers while strengthening the future workforce throughout the region.
As scholarship applications continue each year, the Matteson Scholarship remains one of the clearest examples of how local philanthropy can create life-changing opportunities for future generations of Southeast Iowa students.
Keokuk Cares: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
What began with borrowed tools, volunteer labor, and a simple desire to help neighbors has quickly grown into one of Keokuk’s most visible grassroots service efforts.
Keokuk Cares, a volunteer-led nonprofit organization serving veterans, senior citizens, and residents who are physically or financially limited, was recently awarded funding through the 2026 Hellman IMPACT Grant program to expand its community service efforts throughout Keokuk.
Since launching in February 2025, Keokuk Cares has assisted residents with yard cleanups, mowing, storm debris removal, junk removal, snow removal, and minor exterior repairs, all at no cost to the residents they serve. Their mission is simple:
“No Charge. No Judgment. Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”
For many residents, especially seniors and individuals facing health or financial challenges, routine property maintenance can quickly become overwhelming. Overgrown yards, uncleared snow, and accumulated debris can create safety concerns and impact entire neighborhoods. Keokuk Cares steps in to help residents remain safely in their homes while restoring pride and stability to surrounding neighborhoods.
Until now, nearly all of the organization’s work has been completed using personally owned equipment and borrowed tools. While volunteers have remained committed to helping wherever possible, demand for services has continued to grow. Funding through the Hellman IMPACT Grant will allow Keokuk Cares to purchase essential equipment including a service truck, enclosed trailer, lawn care equipment, snow removal equipment, and tools needed to safely and efficiently expand year-round operations throughout the community.
The organization had already spent months researching equipment options and preparing for future growth, ensuring they would be ready to move forward immediately if funding became available. Within days of receiving the grant award, Keokuk Cares began acquiring equipment that will help volunteers respond more quickly to requests for assistance and serve more residents across Keokuk.
Community support for the organization has grown rapidly. Residents frequently contact Keokuk Cares to recommend neighbors who may need assistance, volunteers continue stepping forward to help with projects, and local businesses have expressed interest in supporting the organization through sponsorships and partnerships.
In recognition of its impact, Keokuk Cares was recently honored with the Spirit of Keokuk Award, highlighting the organization’s growing role in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting residents throughout the community.
“Many of us may never have to worry about how we will mow our yard, clear storm debris, or keep up with the work around our homes,” said Keokuk Cares founder Calvin Stevens, “But for some of our neighbors, age, disability, illness, injury, financial hardship, or the loss of a spouse can make those needs more than they can carry alone. Keokuk Cares exists because we believe people should not be judged for the help they need; they should know their community is willing to show up. We are deeply grateful for this grant, which gives us the ability to serve more veterans, seniors, and neighbors with the care and dependability they deserve”.
As Keokuk Cares continues to grow, the organization hopes to expand its ability to serve more households, respond more quickly during winter weather and emergency situations, and provide ongoing support to residents who might otherwise struggle to maintain their homes.
For Keokuk Cares, the equipment funded through the Hellman IMPACT Grant represents more than new tools and machinery. It represents the ability to move from simply doing what is possible to meeting growing community needs in a more consistent, reliable, and sustainable way.
Foundations Honored Foundations Honored ForCommunity Impact For Community Impact
Across LeeCounty Across Lee County
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation were honored with two major community awards during a memorable week in March 2026, recognizing decades of philanthropic impact and community partnership throughout Lee County. On consecutive evenings, the Foundations received both the LCEDG Impact Award during the Spirit of Keokuk Awards and the Community Impact Award during the Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.
Both awards were presented by Lee County Economic Development Group President and CEO Emily Benjamin, who recognized the Foundations’ longstanding commitment to grantmaking, scholarships, nonprofit support, and community development efforts across the region.
Executive Director Roger Ricketts accepted the awards on behalf of the Foundations, joined by Chief Communications Officer Leah Carroll and board members Kerry Klepfer, Jason Hutcheson, Tim Gobble, and Chuck Holmes.
“We stand with and are continually inspired by those who are the Founders of The Community Foundations; George Eichacker, Joe Kowzan, Dick Lofton, Merlin Hellman and many others; their legacy and ours is to do as much good as we possibly can for all those who live and work in Lee County, and call it their home,” said Ricketts.
Over the years, the Foundations have distributed millions of dollars in grants and scholarships supporting local students, nonprofit organizations, schools, healthcare initiatives, workforce development efforts, historic preservation projects, and quality-of-life improvements throughout Lee County communities.
While the awards recognized the work of the Foundations, leaders emphasized that the honor truly reflects the generosity and collaboration of countless donors, volunteers, nonprofit leaders, businesses, and community partners who continue working together to strengthen Lee County.
The recognition also served as a celebration of the enduring vision established by the Foundations’ founders, a belief that philanthropy, partnership, and local investment can create lasting opportunities and meaningful change for future generations.
As both Foundations continue growing and expanding their impact, the awards stand as a reminder of what is possible when communities come together with a shared commitment to doing good close to home.
An endowment is a charitable fund designed to provide support for good, forever. The original gift, known as the principal, is permanently invested and never spent. Instead, a portion of the earnings is distributed each year to support nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, scholarships, and community projects.
Creating an endowment is simple. Donors begin by identifying the causes or organizations they wish to support and then establish a fund through the Community Foundation. Funds can be named in honor of an individual, family, business, or organization and can be customized to reflect specific charitable goals.
New funds may be established with an initial gift of $10,000, or with a minimum gift of $2,500 through our Build-A-Fund option. Donors may continue adding to their fund at any time.
The Community Foundation handles all administrative responsibilities, investment oversight, and grant distributions, allowing donors to create a lasting legacy that benefits their community for generations to come.
Interested in creating an endowment? Contact us to learn how easy it can be to make a lasting impact.
LCEDG WRAP Program: Supporting the People Behind the Workforce
Behind every workforce challenge is a person trying to build a better future. The Lee County Economic Development Group (LCEDG) was recently awarded funding through the 2026 Hellman IMPACT Grant program to launch the Workforce Resource Assistance Program (WRAP), an innovative initiative designed to help employees overcome barriers that can make maintaining stable employment difficult.
WRAP connects employees with dedicated WRAP Specialists who provide confidential, one-on-one support for challenges such as transportation issues, childcare needs, housing instability, financial strain, and other life circumstances that can impact attendance, job performance, and longterm employment stability.
Rather than focusing only on workforce numbers and statistics, the program centers on the people behind those numbersindividuals who are already working hard, showing up every day, and striving to improve their circumstances, but who may need additional support navigating complex challenges.
“WRAP is about recognizing that behind every workforce challenge is a person,” said Emily Benjamin, President and CEO of Lee County Economic Development Group.
“Many individuals in Lee County are working hard, showing up every day, and trying to build a better future for themselves and their families, but the realities of daily instability and chronic stress can create barriers that impact consistency, confidence, and long-term success in the workplace.”
The program was inspired in part by the success of a similar initiative in Mexico, Missouri, where community leaders witnessed firsthand how workplacebased support systems helped employees stabilize housing, rebuild credit, improve mental health, and avoid crisis situations.
“We were inspired by the remarkable impact of a similar program in Mexico, Missouri, where we saw firsthand how workforce stability support can truly change lives,” Benjamin said. “We are incredibly grateful to the Hellman IMPACT Grant for investing in a program that strengthens not only our workforce, but the people and families who make our communities strong.”
Through WRAP, employees will gain access to financial literacy education, individualized support services, and small-dollar, low-interest loans designed to help individuals address urgent needs while avoiding predatory lending practices.
The program also aims to create broader community impact by helping employers reduce turnover, improve attendance, and strengthen workforce reliability across Lee County.
Two new part-time WRAP Specialists will be hired specifically to implement and deliver the program locally.
At its core, WRAP is designed to provide practical, real-time support before small challenges become larger crises. By helping employees remain stable and connected to the
workforce, the program seeks to strengthen families, businesses, and the overall economic health of the region.
For LCEDG, the program represents a new approach to workforce development — one that recognizes lasting economic growth begins by supporting the well-being and stability of the people who make up the workforce itself.
As the program launches in Lee County, leaders hope WRAP will become a long-term resource that helps residents build greater stability, confidence, and opportunity for themselves and their families.
To learn more about Lee County Economic Development Group visit their website at leecountyedg.com
A Legacy of Quiet Generosity
Some of the most meaningful gifts begin with a simple act of kindness.
For the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, the story of Merle Eberline is a reminder that lasting community impact is often built through years of quiet generosity, personal relationships, and a deep love for the place we call home.
Merle Eberline passed away on January 29, 2026, at the age of 75. Though originally from Marshalltown, Iowa, Merle chose to make Keokuk his home after graduating from the University of Iowa and beginning his career with Hubinger, later Roquette America, where he served as Director of Information Services until his retirement in 2002.
“You do good work. Hope these dollars help.”
After retiring, Merle remained in Keokuk, embracing the community that had become home. He developed a deep appreciation for the Mississippi River, enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the United States, and spent countless hours enjoying the outdoors. He was also a passionate supporter of the arts and served for three decades on the Keokuk Art Center Board of Directors.
When the Keokuk Area Community Foundation was established in 2005, Merle became one of its early supporters. His gifts were modest in those first years, but they arrived with remarkable consistency. Almost every donation included a handwritten note: “You do good work. Hope these dollars help.”
According to Executive Director Roger Ricketts, those simple notes reflected Merle’s character perfectly. Over the years, Roger and Merle developed a friendship built on conversations about Keokuk, philanthropy, and the future of the community. Many of those conversations took place on Merle’s large front porch overlooking Rand Park.
“We would sit on his porch and talk about his adopted community, his love for the Mississippi River, his camping trips around the country, and the people who made Keokuk special,” Roger recalled. “He cared deeply about this community.”
Although his charitable giving grew over time, Merle preferred to remain largely anonymous. He believed the focus should remain on the organizations and causes being supported rather than on the donor behind the gift.
Several years ago, Merle established the Eberline Donor Advised Endowment Fund through the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. It was a decision that reflected his belief in thoughtful planning and his desire to create a lasting impact. Following his passing, a generous gift from Merle’s estate has further strengthened that endowment, ensuring that grants and charitable support for Keokuk organizations will continue for generations to come. Roger remembers one conversation in particular.
“Merle told me how much he appreciated one of our early Foundation slogans, ‘For Good Forever.’ It meant something to him. He took pride in knowing that through the Eberline Endowment, he would continue helping the community he loved long after he was gone.”
Today, the Eberline Endowment stands as a lasting reflection of the values Merle carried throughout his life, humility, generosity, and a sincere commitment to helping others. His story is also a reminder that philanthropy does not always begin with a major gift. Sometimes it begins with a handwritten note, a small donation, and a simple belief in doing good work. Thanks to Merle’s foresight and generosity, that good work will continue in Keokuk for good, forever.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH: A Bed For Every Child Program
For many children, something as simple as having a bed of their own can make a life changing difference.
Since 2017, volunteers with First Christian Church of Keokuk’s “A Bed For Every Child” ministry have worked quietly behind the scenes building and providing beds for children throughout Lee County who would otherwise be sleeping on couches, floors, or sharing beds with family members.
What began as a small men’s fellowship service project quickly revealed a much larger community need. After acquiring and refurbishing an initial group of 160 donated beds, volunteers were overwhelmed by the number of requests that came in from local families, schools, and social service agencies. Within just three months, every bed had been given away.
Recognizing the ongoing need, the group made the decision to continue the ministry by building the beds themselves.
Now, nearly a decade later, the ministry has provided more than 1,080 beds to children across the region.
Each bed includes a sturdy bed frame, a new mattress, and new bedding, giving children not only a comfortable place to sleep, but something they can truly call their own. Families are encouraged to bring their children to the church showroom so they can help select their bed and bedding. Volunteers also deliver and assemble beds for families who are unable to transport them themselves.
Funding through the 2026 Hellman IMPACT Grant program will help support the continuation and expansion of this longstanding ministry, covering costs associated with mattresses, bedding, lumber, and construction supplies used to build approximately 120 beds each year.
Behind every bed is a dedicated team of volunteers who gather regularly to cut lumber, sand, paint, assemble frames, organize materials, and coordinate deliveries throughout the community.
The ministry has also become a true community effort, supported through donations from individuals, local businesses, churches, charitable organizations, and volunteers throughout the area. Schools and social service agencies frequently help connect families in need with the program.
For the volunteers involved, the project is about far more than furniture. Their hope is that each child who receives a bed experiences not only better rest and improved health, but also the reassurance that they are cared for and supported by their community.
Through the continued support of volunteers, donors, and the Hellman IMPACT Grant program, “A Bed for Every Child” will continue helping local children sleep safely, comfortably, and with dignity for years to come.
While most beds remain in Keokuk, the ministry has continued expanding throughout Lee County as awareness of the program has grown.
ACommunityVision ACommunityVision BecomesRealityBecomesReality
After more than two decades of discussion, planning, and hope, Lee County's vision
After more than two decades of discussion, planning, and hope, Lee County's vision for a modern public health facility is finally a reality. for a modern public health facility is finally a reality.
In 2025, the new Meller Family Health Center opened its doors in Fort Madison, providing a permanent home for the Lee County Health Department and housing the Fort Madison ambulance bay for Lee County EMS. The state-of-the-art facility represents one of the most significant public health investments in Lee County in recent years. The $6.5 million project was made possible through a public-private partnership that included federal, state, county, and philanthropic support.
The road to completion was years in the making.
In 2023, Lee County officials approached the North Lee Community Foundation and Keokuk Area Community Foundation seeking assistance with fundraising efforts for the new facility. Recognizing the importance of the project to the health and well-being of residents throughout Lee County, the Foundations agreed to help lead a community fundraising campaign. Under the leadership of Executive Director Roger Ricketts, the Foundations launched an ambitious effort to engage individuals, families, businesses, and corporations in supporting the project.
Over the course of the campaign, hundreds of letters were mailed, thousands of postcards were distributed, and countless phone calls, meetings, and personal visits were conducted throughout the region. The response from the community was extraordinary.
Together, donors contributed more than $700,000 toward construction of the Meller Family Health Center, helping bring the long-envisioned project across the finish line.
“The generosity of our donors was remarkable,” said Roger Ricketts. “People understood the importance of this project and stepped forward to help make it happen.”
Located at 5001 Avenue O in Fort Madison, the new facility provides expanded space for public health services while improving emergency response capabilities through the co-location of the Lee County Health Department and Lee County EMS. The center serves residents throughout Lee County and provides a modern, welcoming environment for a wide range of public health programs and services.
The facility also honors the generosity of the Meller family, who donated the land for the project, helping establish a permanent home for public health services in Lee County.
In the coming months, the Foundations will unveil a donor recognition plaque at the facility honoring the many individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who contributed to the campaign. The plaque will recognize both those whose names appear publicly and those who chose to give anonymously.
For the Foundations, the project stands as a powerful example of what can happen when community members unite around a common goal.
While the Meller Family Health Center is a new building, it is also something more—a lasting investment in the health, safety, and well-being of Lee County residents for generations to come.
Meller Family Health Center
Meller Family Health Center
UNITEDWAYOFTHEGREATRIVERREGION’S
DollyPartonImaginationLibrary
A trip to the mailbox may seem like a small thing, but for hundreds of children across Lee County, it has become one of the most exciting moments of the month.
Since launching in late 2025, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has been delivering free, ageappropriate books directly to the homes of young children throughout Lee County, helping foster a love of reading long before they enter a classroom.
The program, administered locally by the United Way of the Great River Region, was made possible through support from the Lee County Charitable Fund, Children First Empowerment, and other community partners committed to strengthening early childhood literacy.
According to United Way of the Great River Region Executive Director Mike Greenslaugh, the response from families has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The program has been going extremely well since launching in late 2025,” Greenslaugh said.
“One of the most rewarding parts has been hearing from parents whose children get excited every month when a new book arrives in the mailbox. For many families, it has created a special reading tradition at home and helped encourage a love of books at an early age.”
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was founded in 1995 by Dolly Parton in honor of her father’s struggle with illiteracy. Today, the program provides free books each month to children from birth through age five, helping build vocabulary, early literacy skills, and school readiness. Every enrolled child receives carefully selected books mailed directly to their home at no cost to the family.
The program has already reached hundreds of local families. Currently, 505 children in Lee County are actively receiving books each month, while another 24 children have completed the program after reaching kindergarten age. In total, 529 local children have benefited from the program since its launch.
Participation continues to grow steadily, with a goal of reaching 800 children by the end of 2026.
Research consistently demonstrates the value of early literacy programs like the Imagination Library. Children who regularly engage with books and reading at an early age often enter school better prepared and more confident, while shared reading experiences also help strengthen family connections and encourage lifelong learning habits.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to develop a love for reading, regardless of their family’s circumstances,” Greenslaugh said. “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is helping build that foundation here in Lee County, one book at a time, and we are incredibly grateful for the community partners and supporters making it possible.”
Greenslaugh also expressed special appreciation for the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and Lee County Charitable Fund, whose early support helped make the program a reality.
“I also want to extend a huge thank you to the Foundation for being the very first community supporter of this program in Lee County and helping get the ball rolling,” he said. “Your early belief in this effort helped turn the idea into a reality for local families, and we are incredibly grateful for that partnership and support.”
The future of the program remains bright. United Way recently received word that support from Children First Empowerment will continue through July 2027, helping ensure that more children throughout Lee County will have access to books during their most important developmental years.
Community members can continue supporting the program by helping spread awareness and encouraging eligible families to enroll. The program is available free of charge to all children, ages birth through five who reside in Lee County. Families can learn more and enroll at imaginationlibrary.com.
For hundreds of local children, that simple trip to the mailbox is opening the door to imagination, learning, and a lifelong love of readingone book at a time.
A new scholarship established through the North Lee Community Foundation will help Fort Madison High School students pursue their educational goals while honoring a family tradition of community involvement and giving back.
Beginning with the 2026 scholarship cycle, the Todd and Kristen Johnson Family Scholarship will support a graduating Fort Madison High School senior who demonstrates involvement in school activities, strong character, leadership, and citizenship.
For Todd Johnson, creating the scholarship was a natural extension of values that have shaped both his personal and professional life.
“I have always been a strong believer in public education,” Johnson said. “Education beyond a high school degree can lead to life-changing opportunities. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have readily available resources to pursue those opportunities.”
A Fort Madison native and attorney, Johnson said his appreciation for education began long before his legal career, including time spent substitute teaching in Southeast Iowa and West Central Illinois. Through the scholarship, Todd and Kristen hope to help ease the financial burden of education beyond high school.
The scholarship was intentionally designed to recognize more than academic achievement alone. “While extremely important, academic achievement is not the only variable that fully reflects a student’s potential beyond high school,” Johnson said. “Character and leadership are important as well because they show a commitment to working with and helping others.”
The scholarship also values involvement in extracurricular activities, recognizing students who demonstrate a commitment both inside and outside the classroom.
“It’s that well-rounded candidate that programs such as our scholarship hope to target and assist,” Johnson said.
Johnson credits his family's long history of community involvement for inspiring the scholarship. Beginning with his grandfather, Bill Johnson, and continuing through his parents, Mike and Helen Johnson, supporting local schools, organizations, and community events was simply a way of life—a tradition that continues today through his brother, Tony.
“I grew up in Fort Madison and have never lost sight of that,” Johnson said. “Simply put, the establishment of this scholarship is a way to give back.”
Through the Todd and Kristen Johnson Family Scholarship, that legacy of generosity will continue, helping future Fort Madison graduates pursue their dreams while encouraging the same values of leadership, character, and community involvement that inspired the scholarship's creation.
Daughters of the American Revolution: Preserving a Unique Piece of American History in Fort Madison
Most people would never expect to find a connection to Betsy Ross tucked away inside a historic cemetery in Fort Madison. But for members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), preserving that connection became an important mission.
Through funding provided by the 2026 Hellman IMPACT Grant program, the Daughters of the American Revolution are restoring and preserving the gravesite of Clarissa Claypoole Wilson, the daughter of Betsy Ross, who is buried in Fort Madison’s historic City Cemetery.
The project includes restoration work on Clarissa Wilson’s fragile headstone, repairs to the surrounding family burial plot, installation of a new commemorative plaque, and a
According to the application, Wilson’s gravestone had previously broken into multiple pieces and was later secured in concrete in an effort to preserve it. Over time, however, the condition of the stone and surrounding plot continued to deteriorate.
To ensure the restoration is handled properly, the organization partnered with a professional gravestone conservator specializing in historic preservation work. Volunteers and local partners are also assisting with repairs to the surrounding cemetery plot and installation of a new slanted marker designed to protect and better display the commemorative plaque.
The project goes beyond physical restoration. Organizers hope the effort will bring greater awareness to an often-overlooked piece of local history and encourage more residents and visitors to explore Fort Madison’s historic cemetery and the stories connected to it.
The restoration also coincides with the upcoming America250 celebration commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Plans for the public ceremony include historical presentations, participation from the Iowa Sons of the American Revolution in period uniform, educational displays, and
the rare public display of a historic flag created by Rachel Albright, Clarissa Wilson’s daughter.
Community collaboration has played a major role in the project. The DAR chapter has worked closely with the City of Fort Madison, the Pioneer Cemeteries Commission, the Fort Madison Historical Commission, local monument professionals, and volunteers assisting with cemetery repairs and cleanup efforts.
For organizers, the project represents more than preserving a single gravesite. It is an opportunity to reconnect the community with local history, honor an important historical figure connected to America’s founding story, and inspire renewed interest in preserving Fort Madison’s historic spaces for future generations.
As restoration efforts continue, the project serves as a reminder that even small pieces of local history can carry national significance and that preserving those stories helps strengthen a community’s connection to its past.
Presentation of the newly Presentation of the newly restored headstone restored headstone
Montrose Library’s “Accessibility Improvement Project”
When KACF reached out to Montrose Public Library to ask what their initial response and feelings were to being awarded funding through the 2026 Hellman IMPACT Grant program, librarian Tierra Griffith’s first reaction was real and simple:
“Yiipppeeee!”
That excitement came from knowing the library would finally be able to address a challenge many patrons experience every day: safely getting through the front doors.
The Hellman IMPACT Grant will fund the installation of automatic doors at the main entrance of the Montrose Memorial Library, improving accessibility and creating safer, easier access for residents of all ages and abilities.
“We are very excited to get the doors installed,” Griffith said. “I have had multiple people in the last
week struggling to get through the doors. I have been able to excitedly tell them we were awarded a grant so we can get automatic doors.”
The project may seem simple at first glance, but for many library patrons, it will make an immediate and meaningful difference. Montrose has a large aging population, with approximately 42% of residents over the age of 60. Many older adults and individuals with mobility challenges rely on walkers, canes, or other assistance devices that can make navigating the library’s current entrance difficult.
The entrance includes two manual doors connected through a small vestibule with a turn between the doors, creating additional challenges for patrons entering independently. Because the library is often staffed by only one employee at a time, immediate assistance is not always available.
The new automatic door system will improve access not only for seniors and individuals with mobility limitations, but also for families with strollers, volunteers carrying supplies, and anyone entering the building.
For library leaders, the project is about more than convenience. It is about dignity, independence, and ensuring every resident feels welcome and able to fully access the library’s programs and services.
The Montrose Memorial Library serves as an important community gathering place, offering educational resources, programming, technology access, and social connection for residents throughout the area. By removing physical barriers at the entrance, the library hopes to make that community hub more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Community members have already expressed strong support for the project, particularly those who have personally experienced difficulty navigating the current entrance.
While the installation itself may be a relatively small physical improvement, its impact will be felt daily by hundreds of residents who rely on the library as a welcoming and accessible part of community life.
Keokuk, Iowa 52632
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program allows Iowa taxpayers to receive a 25% Iowa state income tax credit for qualifying gifts made to permanent endowment funds at the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. While these gifts are not eligible for an Iowa income tax deduction, they do qualify for the federal charitable deduction.
Endow Iowa gifts may be made using cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or certain retirement assets and can support an existing endowment or one you establish. All Endow Iowa gifts through KACF stay local, providing lasting support for scholarships, nonprofits, and community needs in Keokuk and Lee County.
Tax credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each year and may be carried forward for up to five years if unused. Because credits are limited, early-year giving is encouraged.
Endow Iowa allows donors to stretch their charitable dollars further while creating a permanent legacy in the community they love.
For more information about Endow Iowa and the availability of tax credits, visit the Economic Development & Finance Authority site, or contact the Keokuk Area Community Foundation at 319.670.0207 or info@keokukfoundation.org