Linn County Fund Grant- Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project has come a long way with the first dollars being donated by Dunn’s family to different grants The Linn County Fair Association has received including the Linn County Fund grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. To date $341,365 has been raised for the building project.

The Linn County Fund gives priority to enhancing quality of life and community development outside the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. Priority is given to applications from non-metro communities in Linn County. Organizations based in the Cedar Rapids area may apply for projects benefiting non-metro Linn County with support and partners identified within the community being served. The Linn County Fair Association was awarded $15,000 for the Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project.

Grant applications were reviewed by the Linn County Fund committee. The grant committee is supported by the program staff of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in conjunction with the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF) is a public charitable organization holding nearly 600 different charitable funds, large and small, established by families, nonprofit agencies and businesses to benefit Linn County, Iowa. GCRCF enhances quality of life through philanthropy, connecting donors to priorities they care about and to the needs of the community. GCRCF provides leadership on important community issues and provides nonprofits, donors and fundholders with the highest level of philanthropic stewardship and professional services. For more information, visit www.gcrcf.org or visit us on Facebook.

Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project is in honor of a man whose passion was The Linn County Fair. Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within The Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.

Lynn’s dream was to take The Linn County Fair to the next level. He helped bring this dream to life by bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events. His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was an “all year” building. It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and exhibition hall. Currently the fairgrounds have to shut down during the months of October-April. With this new facility the fairgrounds will be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, etc. For information on the project and how you can contribute please contact Deb Zumbach, Partnership Manger at 319-350-5297 or deb@thelinncountyfair.com.

Left to right: Les Garner, President & CEO of GCRCF, Deb Zumbach, Director of Finance & Partnerships for The Linn County Fair, and Elizabeth Cwik, Program Officer.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

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“Challenge Grant” – Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Linn County Supervisors have supported The Linn County Fair for many years, which has allowed the fair to grow to where it is today. With the help of the “Challenge Grant” provide by the county supervisors, the fair has been able to double the money they raised for the Lynn Dunn Memorial (LDM) Building Project from June 1, 2012 to December 2012. The Linn County Fair Association raised $50,000, which was doubled with the “Challenge Grant.”

Left to Right: Neal Horning presenting the Linn County Cattlemen check to Jean Dunn & Deb Zumbach

The Fair Association did several different fundraisers to help raise the money for the LDM Building Project. Some of the fundraisers included the Anniversary Cookbooks that many of the local 4-H clubs helped sell. The fair’s annual “Kick-off” event and auction in the fall that helped raised over $21,000 towards the fund. The “2×4 Campaign” that was held prior to the 2012 fair that allowed individuals to donate $200 to the fund in turn for a 4 pack of grandstand booklets.

The annual 4-H/FFA livestock auction that was held at the 2012 fair was a big fundraisers with some 4-hers that donated to the project the money they raised from the selling of their livestock . The 4-Hers included Allison Zumbach, Morgan Lefebure and the Poultry Committee that auctioned off fresh eggs and homemade cookies.

Deb Zumbach, Director of Finance and Partnerships for The Linn County Fair, said one of her most memorial things about being involved in this project was “seeing 4-H members get involved, whether it was selling cookbooks or auctioning their animals and donating the money.” She added her involvement with the project was rewarding. “Plus knowing I have a part in making Lynn’s dream come true has been memorable.  Lynn was a huge mentor to my children and to see his dream come true has become a dream of not only me but my families.”

Deb Zumbach

The LDM Building Committee has put in many hours to coordinate all the details of the building and how to raise the money for the project. Special thanks to the committee for their commitment to this project- Louie & Deb Zumbach, Bud & Kris Blackford, Stephen Martin, Jean Dunn and Jennifer Dunn.

Estimate cost of the LDM Building Project is $800,000. Eastern Iowa Buildings of Cedar Rapids has been hired by the fair association to build the new building with John Bohlken as the general contractor. The ground breaking event is scheduled for Sunday, June 30^th at 12:30pm during the fair. To date the LDM Building Project has raised $341,365. There is still time to donate to the project, for more information on the project and how to donate go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/lynn-dunn.html

Special thanks to all the donors and the 4-Hers that help raise the funds for the project.  See below for the complete list of the donors that helped raise the $50,000 for the “Challenge Grant.”

Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Building Project is in honor of a man whose passion was The Linn County Fair. Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within The Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.

Lynn’s dream was to take The Linn County Fair to the next level, he helped bring this dream to life when bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events. His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was an “all year” building. It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and exhibition hall. Currently the fairgrounds have to shut down during the months of October-April. With this new facility the fairgrounds will be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, etc. For information on the project and how you can contribute please contact Deb Zumbach, Partnership Manger at 319-350-5297 or deb@thelinncountyfair.com.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from June 26th- July 1st,  2013
www.thelinncountyfair.com

Summary of Challenge Grant Donors
Date Donor Fundraising Area Amount
6/12/2012 Indian Creek 4-H Club 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/12/2012 Roy & Sharon Bowers 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/14/2012 Loyd & Lois Martin 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/19/2012 Jeff & Marcia Jordan 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
6/21/2012 Tim & Kathy Clemens 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
7/5/2012 LCF-Pop/Beer Tips general $ 30.00
7/5/2012 Teddy & Amy Steger general-l. auction $ 25.00
7/5/2012 Cruisen Conc./Deb & Dan Klouda 4th of July Vendor $ 150.00
7/5/2012 Ron & Bev Johnson general-l. auction $ 250.00
7/5/2012 Poultry Committee raffle $ 334.85
7/5/2012 Carrother Trucking general-l. auction $ 150.00
7/6/2012 Bud & Kris Blackford & Family Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Sloan Farms Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Balderson Farms Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Balster Family Trust Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/6/2012 Louie & Deb Zumbach Poultry Eggs & Cookie Basket $ 500.00
7/23/2012 Andrew & Ann Wooldridge general-mailed in $ 25.00
7/23/2012 Eric & Amber Cress general donation $ 100.00
8/17/2012 Allison Zumbach sheep market check 2012 $ 149.64
8/17/2012 Barbie & Jeremy Waltz 2012 Zumbach sheep $ 200.00
8/17/2012 Jean Dunn 2×4 campaign 2012 $ 200.00
8/17/2012 Titan Machinery 2012 M.Lefebure’s lamb $ 1,420.00
8/17/2012 Open Goat Show t-shirt sales proceeds $ 210.50
8/17/2012 Don & Shirle Henley work hours donated $ 3,440.00
8/21/2012 LCF-Bouncy House proceeds from ticket sales $ 13.00
8/21/2012 LCF-Church Service offering 2013 $ 129.30
9/4/2012 Steve & Karen Martin 2012 Zumbach sheep $ 3,000.00
9/4/2012 Brad & Laura Lewin general-challenge $ 200.00
9/4/2012 Jim & Jane Meisheid general-challenge $ 400.00
9/29/2012 LCF-golf cart tips/d.boxes general $ 630.16
10/23/2012 Carmin Chiafos cookbook-general $ 10.00
10/23/2012 Whittier Willing Workers general-challenge $ 250.00
11/20/2012 Loyd & Lois Martin Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 1,000.00
11/20/2012 Whittier Willing Workers cookbook-general $ 7.00
11/20/2012 Samantha Jackson Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 50.00
11/20/2012 Linn County Cattleman Assoc. Kickoff Gen. Donation 2013 $ 10,000.00
12/10/2012 John & Barb Burke general $ 20.00
12/15/2012 LCF-cookbook sale cookbook proceeds $ 2,500.00
12/15/2012 LCF-Kick Off 2013 Kickoff proceeds 2013 $ 10,000.00
12/15/2012 LCF-basket sale sale basket sale-transfer $ 2,696.31
12/17/2012 Dwayne Becker general donation $ 200.00
12/31/2012 CR Greater Foundation grant $ 15,000.00
Total Challenge Grant Funds $ 56,290.76

2013 Linn County Fair Board and Associates

2013 Linn County Fair Board and Associates

The Linn County Fair Association wants to congratulate the 2013 Fair Board and officers.

Jennifer Dunn – President
Louis Zumbach – Vice President
Deb Zumbach – Treasurer
Sue Abel – Secretary
Heidi Steffen – Marketing Manager
Deb Zumbach – Partnership Manager

The Linn County Fair Association is ran completely by volunteers and would not happen year after year without the countless hours put in from our dedicated and hard-working volunteers. Our Association Membership this year reached 42 members. Association members help year round with the planning and organizing of the fair. We are also looking for new Association Members, for more information go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2012/pdfs/secure-page/2012-fair-associate-form.pdf.

We also have hundreds of volunteers that help during fair week with exhibits, shows, and educational projects. The 2012 fair reached approximately 12,000 volunteer hours recorded for the year. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the 2013 fair. For more information and how to get involved go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/volunteer.html.

Board Members Include:
Front Row L-R: Louie Zumbach, Jennifer Dunn, Sue Abel, Deb Zumbach
Second Row L-R: Kathy Clemens, Steve Enabnit, Lori Arnold, Susan Clarke, Kris Blackford, Bud Blackford, Heidi Steffen.
Third Row L-R: Joel Rochleau, Tim Clemens, Kevin Banasik, Stephen Martin, Mike Clemens, Angie Kisling.
Not pictured: Bill Sloan
 

Associate Members Include:

Front Row L-R: Barbie Waltz, Jean Dunn, Leann Bowman, Dave McDonald
Second Row L-R: Carrie Robertson, Carrie Martin, Justin Martin.
Not pictured: Dan Abel, Heidi Clemens, Angie Cole, Mike Etzel, Glenys Fox, Corey Hagerman, Kim Harford, Don Henle, Leonard Holub, Todd Hunt, Mary Michaels, Mark Novak, Cletis Sloan, Chad Steffen, Joe Stutler, Brandy Zumbach, Taylor Zumbach. 
 

 

Stay tuned for the release of the 2013 grandstand events scheduled for June 26th thru July 1st, 2013. For more details or questions please contact Heidi Steffen at info@thelinncountyfair.com or 319-350-5569.

13 days to go….2011 Linn County Fair Queen Candidates

I am excited that fair is just around the corner. With that comes a long standing tradition of the Fair Queen. The Linn County Fair Association is proud to announce the 2011 Linn County Fair Queen candidates:

Abigail Chihak is the daughter of Roger and Candace Chihak from Lisbon.  She graduated from Mt. Vernon High School this past spring.  Abigail will be attending Briar Cliff University in fall and double major in pre-med and social work.

Elizabeth Comried of Alburnett is the daughter of Rod and Annette Comried.  She will be a senior at Alburnett High School.  Her future plans are to attend Kirkwood Community College and then transfer to University of Iowa were she plans to study medicine and eventually become a pediatrician.

Taylor Etzel is the daughter of Deb Etzel and Mike Etzel of Alburnett.  She will be a junior at Alburnett High School.  Her future plans are to attend Iowa State University and major in Ag Business.

Erin Pisarik is the daughter of Steve and Susan Pisarik, Mt. Vernon, and will be a senior at Mt. Vernon High School.  Her future plans are to attend a four year college and major in a nursing program.

Taylor Zumbach is the daughter of Louie and Deb Zumbach of Coggon.  She will be a senior at North Linn High School.  Her future plans are to attend a four year college and major in nursing.

The reigning 2010 Linn County Fair Queen, Kim Jordan and Princess, Morgan Lefebure will be handing off their titles at The 2011 Linn County Fair. (left to right) Princess Morgan Lefebure & Queen Kim Jordan

  Kim is the daughter of Jeff and Marcia Jordan, Marion.  Kim is a junior at Iowa State University majoring in Agriculture Communications.

Morgan is the daughter of Dale and Kris Lefebure of Fairfax.  Morgan will be a senior this fall at Prairie High School and plans to attend Kirkwood Community College to become a vet technician.

The judging for the contest was held on June 22^nd at Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church.  The coronation will be Wednesday July 6^th at 6 p.m. in the grandstand as part of the opening program; general public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. For more Red Hot details on the fair, go to www.thelinncountyfair.com

2011 Linn County Fair Board and Partnership Manager

The Linn County Fair Association wants to congratulate the 2011 Fair Board and new officers.

• Jennifer Dunn – President
• Louis Zumbach – Vice President
• Deb Zumbach – Treasurer
• Sue Abel – Secretary
• Heidi Steffen – Marketing Manager
• Angie Cole – Partnership Manager

Board members include:
First row – L to R: Louis Zumbach – Vice President, Deb Zumbach- Treasurer, Jennifer Dunn- President, Sue Abel- Secretary
Second row – L to R: Steve Enabnit, Heidi Steffen, Kathy Clemens, Susan Clarke, Glenys Fox, Kris Blackford, Lori Arnold, Bud Blackford
Back row – L to R: Mike Clemens, Tim Clemens, Joel Rochleau, Stephen Martin

(Not pictured: Bill Sloan and Angie Kisling)

The Linn County Fair Association also wants to congratulate Angie Cole as the new Fair Partnership Manager. Angie brings years of experience working with local businesses with her current position as Park and Recreation Director of Hiawatha Park and Recreation Commission. We look forward to her experience to help expand the fair partnership program to allow the fair to continue to grow and provide free gate and parking to our fair goers.

For more information on our 2011 Partnership Programs please go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/pv.html .

The Linn County Fair Association is ran completely by volunteers and would not happen year after year without the countless hours put in from our dedicated and hard-working volunteers. Our Association membership this year reached 39 members. Association members help year round with the planning and organizing the fair.

We also have hundreds of volunteers that help during fair week with exhibits, shows, and educational projects. The 2010 fair reached approximately 12,000 volunteer hours recorded for the year. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the 2011 fair. For more information and how to get involved go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/vol.html.

Stay tuned for the release of the 2011 grandstand events scheduled for July 6-11, 2011. For more details or questions please contact Heidi Steffen at info@thelinncountyfair.com or 319-350-5569.

Linn County Fair Queen….

Contestants of this year’s Linn County Fair Queen Contest:

Abigail Chihak, 17 of Lisbon, is the daughter of Candace and Roger Chihak.  Abigail will be a senior this fall at Mt. Vernon.  Her future plans are to attend a 4 year Catholic college and double major in premed and social work.
Kimberly Jordan, from Marion is the 19 year old daughter of Jeff and Marcia Jordan.  Kimberly will be a sophomore at Iowa State University this fall.  She is majoring in Agricultural Communications.
Morgan Lefebure from Fairfax is the 16 year old daughter of Dale and Kris Lefebure.  Morgan attends Prairie High School and will be a junior this fall.  Her future plans are to attend Cornell and become a paralegal.
Kansas Thorp, 16 from Marion is the daughter of Jim Thorp and Lisa Kenyon.  Kansas will be a senior at Linn-Mar this fall.  Her future plans are to major in business management.
Brandy Zumbach, 18 from Coggon, is the daughter of Louie and Deb Zumbach.  Brandy graduated this spring from North Linn High School.  This fall she will be attending Buena Vista University majoring in communication and graphic design.

Taylor Zumbach from Coggon is the 16 year old daughter of Louie and Deb Zumbach.  Taylor will be a junior at North Linn.  Her future plans are to attend a four year college.

2010 Fair Queen: Kimberly Jordan

2010 Fair Princess: Morgan LeFebure

Citizenship award: Brandy Zumbach

Photos provided by  GG Photography out of Marion: http://www.ggphoto.org/

Linn County Fair received Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities Award

I wanted to share with you the great news that The Linn County Fair found out late last month. Read the press release below for more details:

Linn County Fair received Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities Award

L to r: Bill Sloan and Deb Zumbach, members of Linn County Fair Board, Kathy Moorman and Kevin Hulsebus, Territory Sales Manager for Asgrow and DeKalb.

Alan and Kathy Moorman of Coggon have been selected as winners in Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communites^SM Project, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local non-profit organizations in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. The Moormans have designated the Linn County Fair to receive the award to be used to support 4-H at the fair.

Kathy says she is very excited to have been selected as the winner for Linn County. “I nominated the Linn County Fair because I believe they understand the importance of the 4-H program and will use this money to keep 4-H strong at the fair in the future,” she says. “I know money is tight right now, especially in a small community like ours, so I’m sure this grant is going to be very helpful and appreciated.” Kathy is the 4-H leader for the Coggon Clippers 4-H Club, and is also a nurse at Surgery Center Cedar Rapids. Her husband Al was unable to be there for the check presentation because he had been up all night doing field work and was working his day job at Simon’s Grain and Feed in Manchester.

“The America’s Farmers Grow Communities Project is a great program,” says Deb Zumbach, Linn County Fair Association Treasurer. “We really appreciate Monsanto doing it.”

The $2,500 donation was awarded at a ceremony held April 29^th at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities Project was offered throughout Iowa and in parts of Missouri and Arkansas. It is part of a broad commitment by Monsanto Company to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by helping them grow their local communities. More than 7,500 farmers participated in the program, which is designed to benefit non-profit groups such as ag youth, schools and other civic organizations. The program is currently in the process of being expanded to include additional states. Visit www.growcommuniites.com to see a complete list of winners.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy.

The Linn County Fair in Central City from July 7-12, 2010.
www.thelinncountyfair.com