Winning Foursome of the 2025 GMHC Open pictured left to right: Mug Streicher, Brad Streicher, Austin Meyer and Ethan Streicher with a score of 59.
The first annual GMHC Open Golf Outing was a resounding success, with 25 teams hitting the greens in support of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics’ GMHC Cares! initiative. The community came together to raise more than $13,000 to help sustain and enhance care at GMHC.
Held at Guttenberg Golf Club, the event combined friendly competition, community spirit, and charitable giving. In addition to the golf outing, the event featured a silent auction with 34 generously donated items from local businesses, hospital departments, and individuals.
Golfers enjoyed hole prizes, a hole-in-one contest to win a new car from Brown’s Sales and Leasing (though no one claimed it this year), memorable hospital-themed games, fun hole events, a mouthwatering BBQ ribs dinner, live music, and plenty of great fun on and off the course.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s ongoing support,” said Tim Ahlers, CEO of GMHC. “Every dollar raised through the GMHC Open helps us support and sustain patient care, facilities, and technology right here at GMHC.”
GMHC Cares! ensures that the hospital can continue to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community by investing in quality care, essential equipment, and a healing environment.
GMHC would like to extend special thanks to the following donors for their silent auction contributions: Guttenberg Rotary, Nightingale Pharmacy, River Town Dentistry, Driftwood Diner, River Traders, thINK Apparel, Kim’s Little Bake Shop, Blooming Branches, Divine Current Wellness, Lamar Advertising, GMHC Auxiliary Gift Shop, Essers Clothing, MercyOne Genesis, Zach Johnson Foundation, The Stadium, The Guttenberg Brewing Company, as well as several generous staff members and individuals who also donated items to support the cause.
A heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors who made this event possible through their generosity and partnership: Fidelity Bank & Trust, Assured Partners, Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans, Peoples State Bank, True North, Foundation of Cornerstone Communities, JD Hawkins & Associates, Guttenberg Fitness, Brown’s Sales and Leasing, Autotek Service Center, Seamless Gutters by K Payne Construction, Kaleb and Nikki Payne, Eagle View Motel, Hawkeye Electric, and Conlon Construction.
Save the Date! The second annual GMHC Open will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Guttenberg Golf Club.
For more information on sponsorships, donations, or to register for next year’s event, please email GMHCOpen@guttenberghospital.org.
It was a simple question that launched a vision: “Hey, if we had a million dollars, what would we do?”
COVID was sweeping across the nation in the spring of 2020. While people were staying home, Kari Harbaugh, Family Resource Center (FRC) Coordinator, and Tracy Kregel, FRC Community Care Coordinator, had time on their hands to dream and brainstorm ideas to answer the question they posed to each other. Kari created a list of dream programs if more space would allow and Tracy grabbed a notepad and began sketching out a floor plan to accommodate each of them. “We ended up with a vision for a four-story building full of services that would be perfect for the communities we serve,” reflected Tracy.
As people adjusted to the new norm of COVID, and clients cautiously returned to the FRC, Kari and Tracy put their vision aside and got back to their regular work of assisting clients with their needs.
The Family Resource Center, a department of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics, has been located at 514 S. River Park Drive in Guttenberg since 2017. Offering a variety of services to meet the needs of individuals and families, its goal is to increase access to health and human services. Focusing on Health and Wellness, Safety, Food Insecurity, Transportation, Housing and Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the center provides space for agencies and groups to collaborate their resources to meet the needs of the communities served.
With a focus on social determinants of health, Tracy began her work at the Family Resource Center in 2019 when she was hired to build a data tracking system. With a degree in math and science, complimented by her upbringing by her parents, Wayne and Nancy Yelden; and Nancy who had a career in helping others at the Clayton County VNA, a position at the FRC was a perfect fit.
As the Community Care Coordinator for the FRC, Tracy is involved in all aspects of the center from assisting clients with applications, answering questions about services, or packing a box of food from the Food Pantry. When the FRC expanded to a full-service Food Pantry, Tracy added grant writing and research to her duties.
“Although we had incredible support from the community, we recognized the need for supplemental Food Pantry funds, especially during COVID when there was additional need to keep our Food Pantry stocked, so I began researching grant opportunities that would support the work that we do,” said Tracy. In fact, Tracy became very successful at grant writing and securing funds, including a new van for the Family Resource Center.
In the summer of 2022, while perusing grant opportunities, Tracy’s gaze landed on a State of Iowa Grant, offered by the Governor. The grant was for a whopping $3 million to support infrastructure for a non-profit. Tracy’s wheels began to spin and she quickly resurrected the vision they had tucked away back in 2020.
“I knew this was a once in a lifetime grant opportunity!” recalled Tracy.
Knowing they owned land next to the Guttenberg Municipal Building, a perfect location for the vision they had created over 2 years prior, Tracy reached out to the Guttenberg Economic and Industrial Development Committee (GEIDC), sharing the details of the grant with the board. They agreed to be the official non-profit and let Tracy apply for the grant under their name and non-profit entity.
“We submitted the grant in July, requesting the full three million. We didn’t have much confidence our small community would get it,” shared Tracy. “It was like playing the lottery, that is a good comparison, we’ll toss our name in the hat and see what happens, knowing our chances were slim.”
September 14, 2022 was a day that Tracy will never forget, “I vividly remember opening the email with the subject: Nonprofit Innovation Fund Awards and taking a deep breath before opening the link to the grant awards website.”
“Kari! We got the grant! We were awarded $2.7 million!” shouted Tracy. “I was ecstatic!!! Kari was ecstatic!!! We called GEIDC and GMHC to tell them we got the grant,” reflected Tracy.
Everyone was super excited and the motivation for the project really kicked in. The rest of 2022 and 2023 was spent sharing the vision and working with GEIDC who would officially own the building, with the FRC being a tenant. Planning and talking to the architect, making adjustments, dotting all of the i’s and crossing the t’s, fundraising, meeting with Conlon Construction, and following the grant guidelines was top priority.
“We are incredibly grateful that GEIDC was willing to take a chance, allowing us to apply for this grant under their entity. It was a massive proposal and when we were awarded the grant, they were all on board to follow through, leading the way, tackling any barriers that came up and there were a few along the way. Jackie Lee and Austin Coon, from GEIDC have done a lot of the leg work for this project and just having the support from the entire GEIDC board made us confident that we could get it done! They were great to work with,” said Tracy.
The Family Resource Center moved into the first floor of the GEIDC’s three story Community Resource Center this April, doubling its former space. FRC clients will enter into a welcoming lobby where they can wait comfortably for services. The new space showcases a large food pantry, a room for clothing and household goods for self-shopping, completely private offices for SHIIP, Medicare, Northeast Iowa Community Action and visiting agencies such as Iowa Workforce, Family Service Specialists and others. These offices are comfortable, offering confidentiality and added assurance that our clients’ info is private.
Now, five years later, Kari and Tracy look at their calendar, amazed at the reality that they have been in their new home they visioned for the Family Resource Center for well over a month.
Community Resource Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
On March 26, 2024 the Guttenberg Economic & Industrial Development Committee held the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the much-anticipated Community Resource Center, a pivotal service hub for the region. The event marked the beginning of a transformative initiative aimed at addressing a diverse array of community needs.
The location of the new Community Resource Center is 516 S. 1st Street, Guttenberg, Iowa 52052 in the empty lot between the Guttenberg Brewing Company and the Municipal Building and will serve as a beacon of hope and support for the region, hosting over a dozen agencies dedicated to meeting multifaceted needs, including the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics’ Family Resource Center. A wide range of services to be offered include a food pantry, clothing center, infant items, outerwear, backpack snack program for school age kids, school supplies, medical adaptive equipment, household basics, furniture, health insurance, housing assistance, utility/rent assistance, counseling, domestic/sexual violence advocate, mental health, substance abuse, elderly care, and transportation.
This ambitious project has been made possible through the generous support of the State of Iowa, which awarded the Guttenberg Economic & Industrial Development Committee a significant $2.7 million grant to spearhead the construction of this essential facility. With the project well underway, efforts are in full swing to raise the matching funds required for the three-story facility, anticipated to cost just over $4 million.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony signified a momentous milestone in the journey towards fulfilling the vision of a thriving, supportive community in Guttenberg and its surrounding areas, commemorating this occasion and capturing the spirit of collaboration and progress that defines this initiative. A short presentation followed the Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Guttenberg Brewing Company.
About the Family Resource Center
Throughout life, almost everyone needs help at some point. That help could be judgement free zone, a box of food, a bed after a fire or help navigating a confusing health care choice. All these caring services are available for free through the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics’ Family Resource Center (FRC). The services at FRC are open to anyone, no matter age, income level, or ethnic background.
Let’s examine a typical day at the FRC which begins early in the morning as volunteers travel to Kwik Star and Wal Mart to pick up food donations. The food is delivered to the small, unassuming building, housing the Family Resource Center and an army of volunteers process the food for distribution for people throughout the region.
But the FRC provides much more than needed food. A young couple from northern Clayton County arrive at the FRC in need of shoes and their needs are met. Next through the FRC door is a set of grandparents both employed in slightly above minimum wage jobs. They have recently become custodians of their four young grandchildren. Dashed are their dreams of retiring at 65 and they need to restart their lives raising young children. Their immediate needs include clothing, food and car seats and the FRC can meet their needs.
After the staff assists the grandparents, a domestic abuse victim arrives at the FRC. She needs someone to listen, offer solutions and provide clothing for her daughter. The proper agencies are connected with this victim and a bag of clothing is sent for the daughter. The FRC was again able to meet the need. The next young man who enters the FRC needs to utilize the free fax service offered at FRC. He needs to fax a restraining order to the Sherriff’s Office and needs some guidance on navigating the judicial system.
Again, the young man’s needs were met.
Following the young man, the next to be served at the FRC is a new mother who is unable to purchase baby formula for her newborn, which costs over $20 for a 3-4 day supply. Newborn’s are a blessing, but create an especially financially hard time for young parents. This new mother requested three cans of baby formula because she is almost out and does not get paid until the end of the month. The FRC meets the new mother’s needs.
External service agencies use the FRC space to meet and assist regional residents. The SHIIP counselor (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) and four seniors arrive at the FRC trying to navigate a confusing healthcare system and are assisted in selecting the best option for them. The FRC met the seniors’ needs by connecting them to SHIIP.
A local family comes to the FRC with an unimaginable tragedy and their child becomes hospitalized with a debilitating condition. One parent must care full time for the child and can no longer work. The staff at the Family Resource Center helps them navigate through the options available to help fill the gap that was unexpectedly created. The family’s needs are met.
A nutritionally deficient senior living on social security with no family nearby is instructed by their health care provider to have a diet including more protein and vegetables. However, the limited social security check does not cover their needs. Again, the Family Resource Center steps in and his needs are met.
As outlined, a typical day at the FRC provides support to so many of our neighbors, friends, relatives, and even complete strangers from our region. This is made possible through an army of volunteers and financial supporters to keep the FRC operational five days a week year-round. The current rented FRC building is much too small to meet the needs of our region, lacks privacy and much needed donated items must be turned away due to lack of current storage space.
Thankfully, the FRC team found a way to try and climb out and up and continue to serve the growing demand. The FRC team partnered with the Guttenberg Economic & Industrial Development Committee (GEIDC) and applied for a grant through the State of Iowa. The project was awarded a very generous grant and is well on the way to raising the required matching funds. The current shortfall is nearly $250,000. If you can help, please click the link attached, or contact our volunteer Fund Raising Coordinator Kathy Lansing at lansing@alpinecom.net. Make a donation online.
It’s that time of year again, Medicare Open Enrollment, the only time that those eligible for Medicare have the opportunity to review and adjust their plans. Open Enrollment takes place from October 15 to December 7, and The Family Resource Center is taking appointments for seniors to meet with SHIIP representatives who offer advice in choosing the best fitting prescription plan and to answer questions. Because drug plans are everchanging, having a guide to help you navigate these changes can be very helpful.
This is Jim Solomon’s fifth year volunteering as a SHIIP counselor. Last year, he met with 176 people, helping them save a total of $156,862. We are pleased to announce that Deb Hogan has completed training and will be joining Jim to serve area seniors in reviewing their plans. Jim will mentor and work directly with Deb and the client when she is first starting. Deb retired from the insurance industry, and wants to give back as a volunteer. “Jim put in long hours last year, and I am happy to partner with him and work together to serve the communities.” Deb replied.
Kari Harbaugh, Family Resource Coordinator, says, “We are very grateful for the dedication and hours of service these volunteers donate to assisting our clients.”
There is no charge for consultation with Jim or Deb. If they don’t have the answer, SHIIP counselors have a direct connection to the state to get the answer. They offer a flexible schedule, and welcome clients from other communities, too.
SHIIP counselors will assist you with these three important things during Medicare Open Enrollmnent:
Review your plan notice. Read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year—especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Review your plan’s information to make sure the prescriptions you use are still covered and your medical providers and pharmacy are still in network.
Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Does your current plan best meet your needs?
Shop for the plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. Compare plans even if you’ve been satisfied with your current plan. The coverage and costs for plans can change from year to year.
To make an appointment, call the Family Resource Center at 563-252-3215. SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa. SHIIP counselors review all plans offered and do not promote any particular plan or company. Please bring your Medicare card and your present list of prescription drugs to your appointment.
Meet two young philanthropists, Alexis (age 9) and Grace (age 7) Mescher, who are learning the ropes of fund-raising at an early age. Three years ago, they held their first bake sale, after deciding (with Mom’s help) that a drive thru breakfast sandwich fund-raiser might be a little unrealistic.
Grace and Alexis wanted to raise money for something, and again, their Mom, Beth Mescher, helped them decide to use it for school supplies. The first year, they raised around $600 during a very successful sale that was planned for two days, but only lasted about two hours! Beth even started baking extra cookies when she saw that they were selling out so quickly!
The second year was even more successful with a one-day sale raising around $1,000. In their most recent bake sale last month, the total reached $2,600! The girls decided to split the profits between the Family Resource Center, where it would be used for school supplies, and the Guttenberg Care Center, for buying supplies needed for activities. Both organizations gladly accepted their donations! “The girls’ donation came at the perfect time! We needed additional funds, and because of gifts like theirs, we were able to serve 100 more kids this year. I’m so proud of these girls!” commented Family Resource Center Coordinator, Kari Harbaugh.
The Mescher Girls’ bake sale takes place in late July or early August, depending on Mom’s work schedule. When asked how they feel about all the money being given away, and none kept for themselves, Grace replied, “Good,” and Alexis echoed, “Generous!” However, after they realized it was this easy to raise money, they asked about having one when they’re older to raise money for buying a car! After answering, “No!” Beth used the opportunity to explain the difference between a fundraiser to benefit the community, and one to benefit themselves, and that likely, their events had been so successful because they were benefiting the community. Thank you, Beth, Alexis and Grace for setting such a great example for all of us!
Fun Facts:
Most popular items: apple crisp, Texas Roadhouse buns and butter, and popcorn
Your favorite items to make: Alexis – cookie dough balls, and Grace – Rice Krispie treats
How many days to prepare? Cookie dough balls can be done a week ahead and frozen, but everything else is prepared just days before the sale.
How long will you keep doing it? “Hopefully every year,” both girls chimed in.
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics was recently named one of the top 20 critical access hospitals (CAHs) for Best Practice—Patient Satisfaction in the country.
The top 20 CAHs, including GMHC, scored best among CAHs as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for Patient Satisfaction. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, MO.
The top 20 CAHs have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight indices of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance. This group was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2022 top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year.
The top 20 CAH best practice recipients have achieved success in one of two key areas of performance:
Quality index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across rural-relevant process of care measures.
Patient perspective index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across all 10 HCAHPS domains.
“GMHC is proud of the efforts of the physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” says Timothy Ahlers, CEO. “We are incredibly proud of our staff. We are blessed to have a team of professionals with high standards who care deeply about each and every patient and our entire community.”
“Our results as a top Best Practice Recipient in Patient Satisfaction means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future,” said Ahlers.
About NRHA
NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. NRHA’s membership is made up of diverse individuals and organizations from across the country, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.
About the Chartis Group
The Chartis Group provides comprehensive advisory services and analytics to the health care industry. With unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, performance excellence, health analytics, informatics and technology, digital and emerging technologies, clinical quality and operations, and strategic communications, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children’s hospitals, and health care service organizations achieve transformative results and build a healthier world. For more information, visit www.chartis.com.
By Dr. Michele Dikkers, Physician at Cornerstone Family Practice and GMHC, Chair of Clayton County Board of Health
Growing up we had to be about dead before we went to the doctor. Slap a bandage on it, put menthol vapor rub on your chest or put an ice bag on it. A runny nose, sniffles or a cough was no reason to stay home.
Then we learned about COVID. Now we stop and wonder. Could it be a cold? Influenza? Strep throat? Mono? COVID? Oh my.
Since COVID-19, the guidelines have changed. If you are sick, stay home. Get tested. Wait until you are well, then return to the world. Like any habit, it is difficult to make change. But there are good reasons for the changes in our thought process.
Symptoms can be similar initially, but the outcomes can be very different. They can all start with cough, body aches, fever, headache and sore throat. But influenza and COVID may have a more serious end result.
Incubation time (time from exposure until symptoms start) is typically 1-4 days, unless it is COVID, then it can be 2-14 days.
With most of these illnesses, you can be contagious for 2 days prior to illness and for 3-5 days after illness starts. With COVID, you may be contagious from 2 days prior to illness and up to 10 days after illness onset (up to 14-21 if with persistent symptoms or severe illness).
Symptoms last for 3-7 days, with the exception of COVID. Symptoms of COVID, on average, last 1-6 weeks. There can be long term symptoms that may last months after the acute illness is over.
When it comes to hospitalizations, 2% of those diagnosed with influenza will be hospitalized for 4-7 days, compared to 19% of the COVID diagnosis’ needing hospitalizations for 2-3 weeks.
Fatality rate of influenza is 0.1%, while the fatality rate of COVID-19 is nearly 3%.
Treatments for these illnesses vary. There are antivirals for influenza, antibiotics for strep throat, monoclonal antibodies for COVID and, coming soon, the new oral medication recently developed to help decrease hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. All depend on starting treatment sooner than later. Treatment for influenza should be started within the first 72 hours. Treatment for COVID-19 should be within the first 7 -10 days. Treatment for influenza and COVID are to decrease severity of symptoms and won’t cure it but can significantly reduce need for hospitalizations and death as an outcome.
So, rethinking how we think about cold symptoms, the new recommendations are to stay home if you have any symptoms. Be seen by your medical provider and get tested. Getting tested allows for the best treatment options to be offered and improve outcomes.
Continue to be vigilant and continue to avoid getting sick. Stay home if you are sick, continue with good hand washing, cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, wear a mask when you are in public places and update your vaccines.
Stay safe, be well and be kind to each other.
Robin Esmann, Director of Performance Excellence at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics, was recently selected as one of the Iowa Hospital Association’s (IHA) Hospital Heroes.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to announce our Director of Performance Excellence, Robin Esmann, was named a hospital hero. Robin’s knowledge and expertise coupled with her compassion and commitment to our community absolutely make her a hero to us,” said Tim Ahlers, CEO.
“Over the past year, Robin has worn many leadership hats including Nursing, Incident Command, Employee Health, Infection Control, Safety, Quality, and she is an EMS member” reflected Lisa Manson, Director of Ambulatory Services. “Robin’s training in quality processes was apparent during the past year. She never settles for just good enough.”
Robin took responsibility for spearheading the COVID-19 vaccination process in the community. She worked closely with county and state officials to procure an appropriate supply of vaccine. Robin also secured a site for the vaccination clinic that was close to the hospital. After establishing a call-in hotline, Robin and several volunteers began contacting thousands of people to make appointments. In addition, Robin took a clinic on the road to reach local manufacturing firms interested in vaccinations for their employees. She was relentless in assuring that everyone who was eligible and desired to be vaccinated could be accommodated.
“Jim and I had the pleasure of working alongside Robin at most of the vaccination clinics,” said Sue Osterhaus, vaccination clinic volunteer. “In the face of an incredibly stressful pandemic, Robin acted with strength and integrity every day as she managed the clinics and answered countless emails, calls, and questions regarding the vaccinations.”
Commented Robin, “I am honored to not only be nominated for this award by my colleagues but to also be chosen for this award by the Iowa Hospital Association.There is no doubt that this past year has been the most challenging of my career. I never imagined having to live through a pandemic and certainly not one of this magnitude.Fortunately, we have a great team at GMHC and that team is still working tirelessly day in and day out to get us through this pandemic. I’m very proud of the work we do and all that we accomplish; everyone at GMHC plays a very important role on the team.”
“Robin has been a nurse for more than 30 years and has been dedicated to our organization and our community,” commented Tim Ahlers. “She has worked in many settings throughout the hospital as a bedside nurse, a quality expert and a leader, excelling in every role. Robin’s knowledge of infectious disease and her courage to lead us through the pandemic is inspiring. Her commitment to our community is heroic. Robin is kind. She is a collaborator. She is courageous. And she is a true leader.”
Since 2007, IHA’s Hospital Heroes program has celebrated employees who have acted courageously in a moment’s crisis or who have selflessly served their hospitals and communities throughout their careers. Last year, IHA recognized all hospital employees for their heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to the derecho windstorm in August 2020. In 2021, IHA returned to recognizing 10 hospital employees who exemplify the passion and purpose of the community hospital mission every day.
Robin will be recognized at the IHA Virtual Annual Meeting in October.
On Thursday, June 24 at the annual Edgewood Pro Rodeo Days, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics Imaging Department received a $5,000 check from the Edgewood-Colesburg (Ed-Co) Girls Volleyball Team. The team raised funds through silent auctions, t-shirt sales, and 50/50 raffles to benefit those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.These funds are then shared with local area hospitals to provide comfort at a time of need.
The GMHC Imaging Department uses these funds to assemble beautiful gift bags to all of its newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
Items included are:
• $200 Casey’s Gift Card
• $150 Walmart Gift Card
• Note cards with stamps
• Aloe socks and gloves
• Lotion
• Coloring book and colored pencils
• Candy
• Bracelet
• Scarf
• Hot chocolate / coffee
• Water / coffee mug
• Blanket
• Chicken Soup for the Soul book
• Pink Tote Bag
On behalf of the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics Imaging Department, thank you to the Ed-Co Girls Volleyball Team and Coach Eileen Bergan for the hard work and dedication to their communities.
The Foundation of Cornerstone Communities (FCC) is pleased to announce that it applied and was approved for a $75,000 challenge grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Small Town Dreams Initiative in its mission to build the local endowment to $450,000.
The first phase of the campaign, the quiet phase, was to raise $150,000 using a two to one $2 local leaders: $1 challenge grant match. The first milestone was met with gifts and pledges secured over three years by the FCC Board, GMHC leadership and physicians, making the total raised, with the match, $225,000. To celebrate this milestone, the Foundation held a special event for its leadership donors in the courtyard of the Creativity Center on April 29. The celebration included recognition of the Foundation board of directors and comments from FCC Director Amy Speed, FCC Board Chair Dr. Robert Merrick, FCC Membership Chair MJ Smith, and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Director Nancy VanMilligen.
A Strong Tomorrow Community Campaign
The Foundation of Cornerstone Communities is now launching the second community or public phase with a campaign called “A Strong Tomorrow” to raise an additional $225,000 to meet the challenge grant goal of $450,000.
The Foundation was created to remedy two serious challenges facing the future of our local rural healthcare; the decline in the populations served by GMHC and recruitment and retention of health care providers. The Foundation supports initiatives and projects that directly impact the everyday health and vitality of our communities, keeping them strong and attractive to future generations.
The staff of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics share the common goal of protecting the future of local healthcare and are launching an internal giving campaign in efforts to raise $60,000 towards the community phase goal. GMHC staff have an opportunity to make a one-time donation or enroll in a three year giving campaign via payroll-deduct.
“We all love this community and this area that makes up the Cornerstone Communities,” said Tim Ahlers, GMHC CEO. “I can’t think of a better way to solidify our future than to support a Foundation that focuses on the health and vibrance of the very place we live and work.”
All businesses in the GMHC service area are invited to host a giving campaign for staff, whether it is a hosting jean’s day for a donation to the FCC, or a three-year campaign, all donations are appreciated to help reach the $225,000 community campaign goal. Please contact Amy Speed at amy.speed@guttenberghospital.org for more information.
If you value the future of local healthcare and believe in a healthy and vibrant today for all residents, we invite you to become a member of the Foundation of Cornerstone Communities with a pledge for an annual gift to the FCC Endowment, or one-time gift of any amount.
Grant Making
When the Leadership Phase goal was met the FCC was awarded an additional $10,000 for grant making. To date, the FCC has funded $35,000 in local projects that share the mission of keeping our communities healthy and strong. Projects include Edgewood Viking Loop Trail, Osborne Walking Path, Guttenberg pickleball courts, playground equipment, promotional video and City of Guttenberg vitality initiatives.
The FCC is pleased to offer grant application opportunies four times per year; each January, April, July and October. Do you have a project in your community that needs funding, or maybe a great idea or initiative that will enhance the health of your community? The Foundation will partner with visionary leaders in all communities served by GMHC on initiatives that align with the FCC mission of creating a healthy and vibrant today. Apply online.
Endowments are Forever
The FCC Endowment is held by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and is invested permanently. The earnings provide annual funding to sustain FCC grant making, securing the health and vitality of our communities for decades into the future.
Learn more from any board member, or by visiting the website: https://www.dbqfoundation.org/cornerstonecommunities or call 563-252-5516 or email amy.speed@guttenberghospital.org.
When you make an endowed gift to the Foundation of Cornerstone Communities, it will cost you far less thanks to the generous Endow Iowa 25% state tax credit. Gifts of $50 or more to endowed funds qualify for the Endow Iowa tax credit. Various gift types qualify for the tax credit, including charitable IRA rollovers, gifts of grain, gifts of stock and cash gifts.
Grant Making