Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Betty Steege

To the Editor:

Every two years, Vision to Learn provides vision screenings, eye exams, and two free pairs of glasses to Allamakee County students who need them. Since 2017, Vision to Learn has examined nearly 900 local students and provided glasses to 818 students.

While this service is complimentary to families, it isn’t without cost. Opticians, a mobile screening clinic, glasses and other expenses add up. The Allamakee County Community Foundation works hard to support this program, both through our annual grant cycle and by connecting donors with this important cause.

A key way that donors can learn about and support organizations like Vision to Learn is through Great Give Day, Eastern Iowa’s biggest day of giving. And this year’s Great Give Day is just around the corner, Wednesday, May 21. For 24 hours, people across the region can give online to more than 200 participating local nonprofits, including eight from Allamakee County. Last year, nonprofits across the region raised nearly $450,000 that was donated in 24 hours.

Organizations that have endowments with the Foundation are invited to participate, and those that do can win bonus prizes from local sponsors and donors. One bonus for Allamakee County nonprofits is a $250 match from the Community Foundation for every participant that raises at least $250 on Great Give Day.

This year, a new bonus prize will support the Vision to Learn initiative. The Alice Hermeier Foundation will triple any gift to the Allamakee County Community Foundation on Great Give Day with a match of up to $10,000 to help bring Vision to Learn to local schools. You can join us May 21 to help capture the match and raise $15,000 to help our kids succeed in school and in life.

Like Vision to Learn, the seven other participating nonprofits from Allamakee County all deserve your support. These organizations spark solutions to local challenges, create cultural experiences, meet important needs and make our communities better places to live. You can view them all - and make a gift - at greatgiveday.org.

Our communities wouldn’t be the same without organizations like Allamakee County Conservation, Harpers Ferry Boosters, Iowa Food Hub, Main Street Lansing, Mental Health Today, RC&D, TASC and VMH. And they wouldn’t be the same without leaders, like you, rising to the occasion to make a gift.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Betty Steege at 563-586-2046.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our community’s charitable programs were supported - now, and in the future.

The Foundation works with many individuals, families, businesses and organizations to establish endowment funds that will provide grant awards for years to come. To learn more, visit dbqfoundation.org/accf.

Betty Steege
Executive Director
Allamakee County Community Foundation