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Network News
Keeping you in the know in Urbandale! |
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Summer is in Full Swing!!!
Greetings!
Another fantastic 4th has come and gone. Thanks to everyone on the 4th of July Committee who worked countless hours to make this a success.
Thanks also to St Stephen's Lutheran Church for sponsoring the Pancakes for the Pantry Breakfast. Not only were the food and service top notch, but direct sales and a contribution from Thrivent Lutheran resulted in approximately $5600 for the Urbandale Food Pantry. Well done everyone!
The UCAN float didn't win any grand prizes, but we sure were proud of it!
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What's Coming Up...
Click for City of Urbandale & Urbandale Library Events
Click for Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Events |
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Thank You to Donors & Volunteers - U CAN and U DID!
Sunday, June 12, UCAN hosted a "Thank You" event to illustrate the impact that your efforts over the past year have made on the Urbandale community. For those of you that were unable to attend, here are some quick stats:
An average of 250 families & 688 individuals receive emergency food assistance every month!
An average of 60 rides per month are provided for Urbandale's residents by Caring Corps volunteer drivers!
40 families lawns were cleaned up in the fall and spring!
The Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Garden has become another beautiful addition to the parks system.
60 people gained a greater awareness of poverty issues within the community.
Over 400 friends gathered at Karen Acres North Park for food, games and fun!
ESL classes are now available within Urbandale.
15 new leaders graduated from Leadership Urbandale.
40 families received a holiday meal and presents last Christmas.
Over 70 Urbandale students received back to school immunizations, physicals and back packs full of school supplies.
150 residents enjoyed a stroll with the Mayor to learn more about Urbandale's parks and trails system.
How did this get done? Hours of volunteer service.
- Food pantry volunteers contributed 2920 hours of service!
- Caring Corps Drivers contributed 2100 hours of transportation!
- Caring Corps Office Staff contributed 1040 hours of service!
- Fall & Spring Clean Up Volunteers contributed 320 hours!
- Nearly 10,000 hours were spent planning and executing UCAN's mission by volunteers!
- Volunteer total hours: 16,380!
The standardized hourly rate for volunteer services is $20.85 generating a total value of $341,523.00.
In addition, Food Pantry cash donations totaled $82,000
Caring Corps cash donations totaled $8,900 and
UCAN cash donations totaled $10,600!
Thank you all so much for making UCAN a success! We appreciate all that U DO to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors!
Know someone who would like to get involved? Contact the UCAN office at 278-3936 for more information!
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"Lawn of the Month" Program
Do you or a neighbor have an outstanding lawn? Let us know. The Friends of the Parks Committee will bereviewing nominations and awarding up to 6"Lawn of the Month" awards each month through October! In addition to bragging rights, you will receive a Lawn of the Month sign for your yard and a $25.00 gift certificate from Iowa Outdoor Products. Click here for a nomination form.
Here are our winners for the months of June and July!
 The Wyner Residence
 The McIntyre Residence
 The White Residence
 The Johnson Residence
 The Mueller Residence
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UCAN Volunteers Go on Tour!
June 2, 2011, after 2 months of rehearsals, UCAN Board Member, JoAnna Holt Mishler, brought the UCAN/Caring Corps Skit to life at the Urbandale Senior Center! Holt Mishler wrote and directed the presentation. Actors included from Left: Charlotte Leckband, Anne Merschmann, Jene Breiten, LaVonne Clark, Howard Palmer and Marilyn Carlson. JoAnna Holt Mishler is at the far right. The group had a fantastic time laughing with each other in preparation for their debut. Seniors at lunch on June 2 enjoyed an entertaining presentation that informed them of the new relationship between the Caring Corps & UCAN. Thanks to all of you! Interested in having the group present to your civic organization, church or place of employment? Call 278-3936 for more information! |
Public Art Committee Unveils New Sculpture in Lion's Park with Celebration of Food, Music and Trash Can Painting!
Thursday, June 16 about 150 friends gathered at Lion's Park to join the Mayor and the Public Art Committee to celebrate the unveiling of the 4th sculpture in the city. "Leap Frog" sits on the North side of the shelter house and looks out at the playground; sorry you will have to come see it for yourself during the 4th of July festivities at the Park! Sculptures are also located at City Hall, Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Gardens and Lakeview Park. Attendees were treated to food and beverages as well as music from the Urbandale Community Band. Participants also had an opportunity to paint trash cans which will be placed in the city parks. |
3rd Party in the Park a great success!
Thursday, June 23 the 3rd Neighborhood Party in the Park at Karen Acres North was held with about 200 in attendance. Attendees were treated to Watermelon & Ice Cream Sandwiches courtesy of Hy-Vee Food Store in Urbandale and pizza from the Making a Connection, (MAC), Camp. The MAC campers will be planning a second picnic which will be held on July 21 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. UCAN volunteers were joined by 16 college-aged volunteers from Walnut Creek Community Church, as well as by the Urbandale Fire and Police Departments! Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event such a fun success! Want to get involved? Call 278-3936 for more opportunities!
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How U CAN Get Involved...
UCAN is on the move and looking for residents to join us in making Urbandale the #1 Best Mid-sized City to Live In,
(as designated by CNN/Money Magazine),
by the time we turn 100 in 2017!!!
Click here to join our mission in 2011!
Let us help you find your NICHE through participation in our committees:
Neighborhoods, 3rd Wednesday, 5:30 PM - Lion's Park
Infrastructure, Meets as needed, call 278-3936 for details
Communications, 4th Thursday, 7:00 PM - City Hall
Human Services, 1st Tuesday, 5:30 PM - City Hall
Events & Activities, 4th Monday, 5:30 PM - Lion's Park
Caring Corps, 2nd Tuesday, 5:30 PM - Lion's Park
Friends of the Parks, 2nd Wednesday, 7:15 AM, City Hall
Food Pantry, 3rd Monday, 6:30 - Food Pantry
Executive Board Meeting, 1st Wednesday, 5:30 PM -
Lion's Park
Administrative Board Meeting, 3rd Tuesday, 5:30 PM -
Lion's Park
For more information, call 278-3936, visit www.urbandalenetwork.org, become a fan on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter. |
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Spotlight Volunteer
Marilyn Carlson
(Pictured at Left with "UCAN Volunteers go on Tour")
Nominator: Mary Polson
Marilyn and her husband, Dwight, have lived in Urbandale for approximately 20 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren. Marilyn was raised in Lytton, Iowa and attended Wartburg College and UNI. She spent her working career in the banking industry, retiring from West Bank in 2003. Her hobbies include volunteering and knitting.
Marilyn served on the Caring Corps Board during its early, formative years. When she stepped down from the Board, she continued as a Driver and has established relationships with the clients she transports.
She is a regular attendee of the "first Wednesday of the month" volunteer lunch discussions and has provided input during the Caring Corps strategic planning session in early 2011.
Thank you, Marilyn for your years of support in Urbandale! U Can and do make a difference!
Know another great volunteer? Click here for a nomination form and let us know. . |
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Food Pantry
He Who Plants the Seed...
Urban Heights Covenant Church has banded together with other community members to create a Food Pantry Garden located at 7605 Aurora Avenue in Urbandale. The 75x75 plot has been planted with potatoes, beans, and squash that will be donated to the Urbandale Food Pantry to help feed our neighbors in need.
Assisting in the garden are Master Gardener John Turner, Volunteer Coordinator Beth Ryberg, and Flower and Herb Specialist Linda Gaulter.
Other volunteers are needed to assist with maintaining the garden.
For more information, please contact Beth by phone at 278-1371, by e-mail at office@uhecc.org, or follow the blog at http://urban-harvest.blogspot.com/
Please consider volunteering at the Food Pantry Garden to help eradicate childhood hunger in Des Moines by 2015.
Donating to the Urbandale Food Pantry
The Urbandale Food Pantry accepts donations during its hours of operation:
M,W,F 10 AM - 2 PM
Monday 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Personal Care Items are Always Appreciated.
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
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