Heritage Club Dinner
by Kristi Potts on 10/31/13
The Montgomery County Family YMCA held its Annual
Endowment Heritage Club Dinner on Monday, October 7th, 2013 with 80 Heritage
Club members in attendance at the Red Coach Inn & Restaurant in Red Oak,
Iowa.
This year’s key note speaker was Rand Fisher,
President of the Iowa Area Development Group of West Des Moines, Iowa. Mr.
Fisher has served as President of the Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) since
his recruitment and selection in 1997. IADG was established in 1985 to provide
economic development leadership for Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives. The
IAGD has been recognized by numerous federal and state agencies. The
organization is committed to serving and supporting its members with a
comprehensive approach to economic development. As a former executive assistant
to the Governor, association director and utility company manager, Rand has
keen insights into both the private along with the public sector with matters
related to business and government.
Rand has a mater’s degree from the University of
Iowa and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Luther College. Rand considers Red Oak
his hometown. Rand graduated from Red Oak in 1973. Rand’s parents are the
late Dr. Ransom and Norma Fisher. Dr.
Ransom was the Red Oak High School Superintendent. Rand and his sister Cyndi
were involved in many extra-curricular activities while growing up in Red Oak.
Rand is very proud of Red Oak’s institutions and community leaders. Rand and
his wife Cyndi have three children, Meredith, Max and Maggie.
In a speech laced with humor and insight, Rand
addressed the need of the Montgomery County Family YMCA and its mission to be
there for today’s youth whose daily lives are affected by an ever changing and
challenging modern society. Rand also spoke of the remarkable growth of the
YMCA within Montgomery County. Rand highlighted several remarkable
organizations with the community of Red Oak that will need beyond one’s membership and program financial
support but the on going culture of philanthropy. By giving back to one’s
community one will enhance the sustainability of many organizations that truly
makes for a great community, county and area to live and work in.
At this year’s Heritage Club dinner the YMCA’s
“Heritage Club Endowment Hall of Fame” was presented with the criteria honoring
special individual/couples, families and or group that have made a major
contribution based on time, money and commitment to the Montgomery County
Family YMCA. The Montgomery County Family YMCA Heritage Club Endowment Hall of
Fame class of 2013 was:
· George
& Pat Maher of Red Oak, Iowa. The Maher’s have been involved in countless
fund drives in the community of Red Oak, county and area to truly make for Red
Oak, county and area a wonderful place to live and work in. George Maher, co
chaired the YMCA’s Capital Campaign
efforts with Ann Carder (Red Oak, IA) to raise entire capital and initial
endowment funding to construct the current YMCA in Legion Park that opened up
13 years ago in October, 2000. Total amount raised over $6.6 million dollars
from 1997- 2001 to have one of the finest YMCA’s in the United States.
· The
other inductees to the 2013 “Heritage Club Endowment Hall of Fame” were Nick and Nancy Zimmer of Red Oak, Iowa. Nick
has served as the only Executive Director of the YMCA since arriving in Red
Oak, in March of 1995 to present. Nancy (Coughlin) Zimmer formerly of rural
Elliott, IA has been deeply involved with the YMCA as a member, volunteer, Past
Board Chair of the YMCA board of directors during the 1999 construction of the
YMCA facility in the Legion Park and program participant for nearly 18 years.
The Zimmer’s met through the YMCA and were married in August of 2002. The
Zimmer’s like the Maher’s can be found giving back to one’s community , county
and area in many ways to make for a better place to live and work in.
· The YMCA’s
Endowment Trustees would like to thank
all of the YMCA’s Heritage Club
members, Tom Carder of Red Oak ( former
YMCA endowment trustee) for his special support of this program, this years
evening master of ceremonies was Dr. Richard Trinity of Red Oak, IA. Evening
sound system and background music provide by Greg Brower of Red Oak, IA.
Special musical entertainment by Vern & Sandy Olson of Red Oak, IA. A
wonderful YMCA video tribute … The Y So Much More, produced by YMCA Membership
and Marketing Assistant Kristi Potts. Anne Stewart YMCA Membership Assistant
for detail planning of this year’s event and the fine hospitality shared by the
Red Coach Inn & Restaurant of Red Oak, IA.
The Heritage Club was established to insure that
the Montgomery County Family YMCA will be here for generations of families to
come. Principal funds are invested so
the YMCA can earn interest to be placed in the YMCA’s Maintenance
Reserve Fund for large replacement costs.
For more information on the Montgomery County
Family YMCA’s Endowment Heritage Club please call Nick Zimmer, YMCA Executive
Director at 712-623-2161 or stop in at the Montgomery County Family YMCA @ 101
East Cherry Street, Red Oak, Iowa or email Nick at execdir@mcymca.com.