| Claude's statue is located in the Ahrens Institute, Headquarters of the National Recreation & Parks Association, in Ashburn, VA |
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.
Organizations that qualify for the "Leave It Better" 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 Grinnell
Optimist Club, Stewart Library Children's Department, Grinnell Lions Club, 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 or about
August 18th of each year, to commemorate the dedication of the Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park and the late Claude
W. Ahrens’ birthday. Recipients will receive a $5,000 grant from the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
The deadline for all 2010 nominations is August 2, 2010. Please download your 2010 nomination form on the link
and send to:
2010 "Leave It Better" Nomination Form
"Leave It Better" Awards
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
P.O. Box 284
Grinnell, IA 50112
The Grinnell Optimist Club was honored in 2009 as the winner of the “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award
program. The award each year honors groups or organizations that are making a difference in Grinnell and its
surrounding communities. “We are excited this year to honor the Grinnell Optimist Club with this award. They work
diligently to help support children and families in our community through various projects and events,” states Julie
Gosselink, President and CEO of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
The Grinnell Optimist Club organized in 2003. As its mission statement reads, “By providing hope and positive
vision, Optimist bringing out the best in kids.” The Grinnell Optimist Club leads by example. Some of these examples
include the following:
The Club has partnered with the local police department and Blue Bunny since 2003 to host a citywide ice cream
social at three city parks for the National Night Out program. This annual event has been instrumental in providing a
venue to heighten crime awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit
and police-community partnerships.
The Club partners with Grinnell Aviation to host the annual Fly-In at the Grinnell airport and provides a low cost
french toast breakfast, with a portion of their proceeds this year benefiting the Grinnell Skate Park.
The Club provides gas cards to families who have children with serious illnesses that require multiple trips to medical
facilities.
The Club and the Galaxy Youth Center co-sponsor a costume party and activities for younger kids in the community.
The Club has been the sole sponsor of an annual field trip each fall to Carroll’s Pumpkin Farm for students in the
Grinnell MICA Head Start program.
The Club is just one of several cooperating groups who helped staff and donate funds to the Kites Over Grinnell event
by providing kite building materials for 3rd and 4th graders at Davis Elementary.
The Club partners with the teachers in the Grinnell-Newburg school district by providing Optimist essays and
oratorical contests as part of the curriculum.
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.
Organizations that qualify for the "Leave It Better" 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 Grinnell
Optimist Club, Stewart Library Children's Department, Grinnell Lions Club, 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 or about
August 18th of each year, to commemorate the dedication of the Ahrens/Paschall Memorial Park and the late Claude
W. Ahrens’ birthday. Recipients will receive a $5,000 grant from the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
The deadline for all 2010 nominations is August 2, 2010. Please download your 2010 nomination form on the link
and send to:
2010 "Leave It Better" Nomination Form
"Leave It Better" Awards
Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
P.O. Box 284
Grinnell, IA 50112
The Grinnell Optimist Club was honored in 2009 as the winner of the “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award
program. The award each year honors groups or organizations that are making a difference in Grinnell and its
surrounding communities. “We are excited this year to honor the Grinnell Optimist Club with this award. They work
diligently to help support children and families in our community through various projects and events,” states Julie
Gosselink, President and CEO of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
The Grinnell Optimist Club organized in 2003. As its mission statement reads, “By providing hope and positive
vision, Optimist bringing out the best in kids.” The Grinnell Optimist Club leads by example. Some of these examples
include the following:
The Club has partnered with the local police department and Blue Bunny since 2003 to host a citywide ice cream
social at three city parks for the National Night Out program. This annual event has been instrumental in providing a
venue to heighten crime awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit
and police-community partnerships.
The Club partners with Grinnell Aviation to host the annual Fly-In at the Grinnell airport and provides a low cost
french toast breakfast, with a portion of their proceeds this year benefiting the Grinnell Skate Park.
The Club provides gas cards to families who have children with serious illnesses that require multiple trips to medical
facilities.
The Club and the Galaxy Youth Center co-sponsor a costume party and activities for younger kids in the community.
The Club has been the sole sponsor of an annual field trip each fall to Carroll’s Pumpkin Farm for students in the
Grinnell MICA Head Start program.
The Club is just one of several cooperating groups who helped staff and donate funds to the Kites Over Grinnell event
by providing kite building materials for 3rd and 4th graders at Davis Elementary.
The Club partners with the teachers in the Grinnell-Newburg school district by providing Optimist essays and
oratorical contests as part of the curriculum.
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| "Leave It Better" 2009 Award ceremony at the Ahrens Foundation offices. Pictured left to right are: Rich May (Optimist), Julie Gosselink (Ahrens Foundation), Joe Sumner (Optimist), Lee McFee (Optimist), and Susan Witt (Ahrens Foundation) |
"Leave It Better" Annual Awards
| (c) 2010, Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation |