Shaping Volga reaches first milestone
Lanny and Deb Deitchler of the Shaping Volga committee present a $5,000 grant to Amy Pope, Mary Jo Fettkether and Dennis Whittle of Volga EMS to support the recent purchase of updated radios.
Deb Deitchler and Melissa Fettkether of the Shaping Volga committee present a $2,000 grant to Volga Fire Department Chief Darren Nading and firefighters Kyle Wynthein and Nick Fettkether to support the recent purchase of new pagers.
By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns | Times-Register
As part of the Small-Town Dreams initiative through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the Shaping Volga Community Project recently celebrated its first major fundraising milestone of $80,000. The achievement, which organizers say “showcases the town’s heart,” unlocked $8,000 in grant funding that will be used to help make Volga a safer and more beautiful community.
At the Volga City Fire Department’s annual banquet on Feb. 28, Melissa Fettkether and Deb Deitchler, representing the Shaping Volga committee, presented grant awards to the Volga City Fire Department and EMS to support the recent purchase of updated radios and pagers.
The fire department received a grant of $2,000 and the EMS received $5,000. Remaining funds from the initial award will go toward community improvements through the Volga City Park Board.
For phase two of the enadowment campaign, the committee is working to raise an additional $120,000. Organizers report they are already a quarter of the way toward that goal.
In a town of just over 200 residents, the milestone reflects not only a financial investment in the community but also a strong local commitment. Many residents serve in more than one role, whether with the fire department, EMS, city government or the Shaping Volga leadership team.
Once a total of $200,000 is raised, an additional $40,000 will be awarded to establish a permanent endowment fund. That fund is projected to generate approximately $12,000 annually for generations to come. These dollars will support existing programs and help launch new projects to ensure Volga remains “a bright, vibrant and great place to raise a family.”
Volga is one of only 15 high-performing communities selected statewide for the Small-Town Dreams challenge funded by an anonymous donor who grew up in eastern Iowa.
The Shaping Volga Leadership Team includes Deb and Lanny Deitchler, George Duff, Melissa Fettkether, Rebecca Lauer, Ben Fettkether, Elaine Follon, Rhonda and Craig Fry and Bethany and Tom Klingman.
To learn more or make a charitable gift, visit https://dbqfoundation.org/giving-center/shaping-volga or contact any member of the leadership team. Gifts may be made by cash, check, credit card, stock, life insurance, real estate or IRA charitable rollover. Donations of $50 or more qualify for the 25% Endow Iowa State Tax Credit.
