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In a speech to the National Recreation and Parks Association in the fall of
1993, the late Claude W. Ahrens told the assembled “…our obligation in
life is to leave the world a better place than we found it”. Shortly
thereafter a group of community leaders instigated a program that would
honor individuals and organizations for following that bit of wisdom.

In 1994, the first year of the program, 41 Grinnell area residents were
nominated by their peers to be recognized for doing something to leave
the world a better place. In the succeeding years over 300 people and
several community organizations and groups have been honored for their
efforts.

The 2007 winner of the "Leave It Better Than You Found It" award is the
Grinnell Lions Club. Founded in 1961, the main goal of Lions
International is sight conservation. Last year, the Grinnell Lions Club
received over 700 pair of donated eye glasses from individuals and
groups from Grinnell and its surrounding communities. The motto of the
Grinnell Lions Club is "WE SERVE" and over the years its members have
been very active in many community activities and projects. A few of
their supported activities and causes over the years include: GYBSA,
GRMC annual fund drive, Lions Park, Second Mile, Galaxy Youth
Center, Relay for Life, Fourth of July fireworks fund, Community Meal,
and the Grinnell High School after-prom party. Each year the Grinnell
Lions Club awards a $500.00 scholarship to a Grinnell High School
senior to attend a trade school.

One of the major community service projects that the Grinnell Lions Club
is involved with is the "Kid Sight" program. Annually, the Grinnell Lions
Club participates in a vision screening program at each of the community
day care centers and preschools in Grinnell to test the vision of children,
ages four and under. With the partnership of the Department of
Ophthalmology in Iowa City, these photos are then evaluated to help
detect various eye problems, such as; near sightedness, far sightedness,
astigmatism, and several others. During their last session, over 250
children in the Grinnell area were screened.

Organizations that qualify for the award include all nonprofit
organizations, social, civic, fraternal or community groups who are
making a difference. Previous winners of the “Leave It Better” Award
include the Galaxy Youth Center, Washington Merry Workers 4-H Club,
Fairview Elementary PTO, Second Mile, Grinnell-Newburg Dollars for
Scholars and the Grinnell High School Guidance Counselors.

When nominating an organization, one should be able to demonstrate
ways in which the organization is “leaving it better than you found it”
through its community projects, community programs, collaborative
efforts with other local groups, and/or through its local fundraising
efforts over the past year. All nominations will remain anonymous.

Nominations for the “Leave it Better” Awards are taken annually over the
summer and then announced on August 18th of each year, to
commemorate the dedication of the Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park and
the late Claude W. Ahrens’ birthday. Recipients will be honored by the
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation each year.

The deadline for all 2008 nominations is August 1, 2008. Please
download your 2008 nomination form below and send to:

"Leave It Better" Awards
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
P.O. Box 284
Grinnell, IA 50112

"Leave It Better" Nomination Form 2008