Veterans honor emerging leaders at Grinnell Mutual

In a reversal of roles, Grinnell Mutual’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) Class of 2015 was recognized by the veterans the class sought to honor. The Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown presented ELP members with a Distinguished Service Award for initiating a fundraising campaign that raised more than $25,000 to build a World War II memorial on the IVH campus. The award was presented at the organization’s 41^st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Program on April 21.

From left: Commandant Jodi Tymeson presents the Distinguished Service Award to Grinnell Mutual employees Kami Holmes, Mandy Hudnut, and Todd Milburn representing ELP Class of 2015.

The group spearheaded a fundraising campaign after ELP member Kami Holmes discovered the IVH campus lacked a monument remembering Iowa veterans who served in the war. The WWII memorial will provide the public and surviving veterans the opportunity to honor those who served, those who fell, and to recognize the victory they achieved.

“Kami happened to be visiting a resident and found out that we had monuments to the other wars but no WWII monument. Most people would have done nothing but not Kami. She got the ball rolling by taking the project back to the Emerging Leaders Program at Grinnell Mutual,” said Aimee Deimerly-Snyder, IVH Volunteer Services Coordinator. “They took it on as a class project and not only reached their goal, they smashed it! Thank you so much to the ELP group at Grinnell Mutual and all of the generous donors.”

Members of Grinnell Mutual’s ELP Class of 2015 include Lauren Augustine, Kim Ersland, Casey Gibbs, Holmes, Mandy Hudnut, Todd Milburn, Doug Nauman, Glenn Sasse, Heather Sisson, and Erica Urfer. The class is led by Al Hodgeman, Bridgette Johnson, and Karen Richards.

“Bids have been taken for the memorial project and the goal is to have a monument erected by August 31,” said Holmes, counsel for Grinnell Mutual. “We are still taking donations to cover expenses to build a sidewalk that connects all of the war memorials on the IVH campus and install lighting.”

To donate to the memorial project, go to https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/iowaveteranshome. Checks may be sent to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 with ‘Iowa Veterans Home WWII Memorial’ in the subject line.

About the Iowa Veterans Home 
Over 500 veterans and some of their spouses live at Iowa Veterans Home. It is among the largest of the 148 state-owned facilities for veterans in the nation. The IVH campus spans nearly 150 acres, with six nursing care buildings and one residential care building.  Currently, there are veterans of four wars residing at the IVH, including 77 veterans from WWII.

About the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a 16-month leadership program designed to build a strong base of leaders at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company through sessions featuring a variety of leadership theories, practical skills, and team-building exercises. The second class will graduate in December.