To the Allen County
community,
All communities impact their residents in a multitude of ways. People may find comfort in memories, security in opportunities, or purpose in heritage, but so many of the benefits we experience in communities can be traced to the foresight, efforts, and stewardship of previous generations. I have many memories of principals, teachers, coaches, local business owners and community leaders in Allen County who had a positive influence and impact on me. Memories from my youth in Iola include not just my family life, but opportunities to participate in my church and in activities such as baseball at Riverside Park, basketball at the Community Building, and performances at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and I could list many more. People who lived here decades before me made concerted and sacrificial plans to provide venues for these activities and there would have been a significant void in my community experience without them.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit with several people in other communities like Iola, who also appreciate the impact their communities have had on them, and are working not just to preserve but also to promote and prepare their communities for future generations. They are utilizing community foundations to do so. These foundations receive funds through contributions from local governments, citizens, businesses, and other donors who wish to make a lasting impact. Monies received by the community foundations are then used to help these communities in such a way they are not used up but will be available as perpetual gifts.
Perhaps you are not aware that Allen County has such a foundation, Your Community Foundation. Your Community Foundation exists to impact the community now and forever. Contributions to Your Community Foundation are a part of meaningful growth, improvements and sustainability to the community for generations in the future. The privilege of intentional giving now will affect Allen County’s ability not just to survive, but to flourish and make a positive impact on the future of Allen County and its citizens. There are many ways you can give, and you don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. For more information about Your Community Foundation, contact one of their representatives, and please consider making a contribution and/or becoming an ambassador. The number is 620-380-6154. Giving makes a difference!
Former Iola resident,
Gary Powers,
Olathe, Kan.
Letter to the editor — July 11, 2017
