Heritage Club Dinner

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.