Sports Amid COVID

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Jamie Pollard, ISU’s 2019 Big 12 Athletic Director of The Year, was recently Ames Golden K’s guest speaker at their weekly Thursday meeting, which continues to be held virtually.   Seventy-eight Golden K and Kiwanis members from Iowa City, Nevada, and Ames Town and Country attended, a record for GK virtual meetings.   Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic occupied many of Mr. Pollard’s remarks. Highlights:
  • There has been an abundance of misinformation in circulation concerning ISU’s athletics COVID-19 efforts–most is well-intentioned, but speculative. Most does not reflect ISU’s actual experience. There are no “absolutes” that guarantee that student-athletes will avoid COVID.
  • All Football, Volleyball, Soccer, and men’s and women’s Basketball and other sports athletes undergo COVID testing and mitigation protocols.
  • When the rest of the student body arrives in Ames, athletes have been advised to be “smart” about social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions.
  • All practices for all sports are being conducted in “pods” based on the position the athlete plays, with all coaches and staff socially distanced.  In person meetings between athletes and coaches/staff are currently not allowed.
  • There is a possibility that all Fall sports could be cancelled, except Football. ISU’s $86M budget overwhelmingly relies on Football attendance and TV.  It would be a huge blow to ISU’s Athletics Department employees, their families, and the Ames Business Community if Football season is cancelled or severely limited.
  • There are plans to have the ISU Marching Band perform at Football games–with restrictions for social distancing.
  • ISU will not have a complete 12 game season. The Big 12 Conference could opt for scheduling only Big 12 member games plus allowing one game against an out-of-conference opponent.
  • All ISU athletic scholarships affected by cancellation of any sport will be honored, and hopefully {pending NCAA approval} a year of eligibility will be restored.
  • Mitigation strategies to establish protocols for fans/spectators/vendors/volunteers at ISU Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Soccer games are in process.
  • Soccer and Volleyball games will begin in September. Fans will be allowed with COVID mitigation protocols. There will be no admission charged.
  • Basketball games may not be played until January–probably with no fans allowed.
  • The new Student Performance Center for student athletes is being constructed–a state of the art facility that will be the envy of ISU’s athletic competitors.
Mr. Pollard concluded his remarks regarding trying to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, stating: “There are a lot of people that have ANSWERS, but few have SOLUTIONS!”
This was an excellent and memorable presentation by Mr. Pollard. Few in the Ames, ISU,
and Story County communities, are aware of Jamie and his family’s philanthropic support of
of many charitable/non-profit organizations, often carried out anonymously.

Hospice 101

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Kristi Crane, Community Representative for Care Initiatives Hospice, a non-profit provider serving 66 counties in Iowa, spoke recently at Ames Golden K’s weekly Thursday 9AM meeting, which continues to be held virtually via ZOOM.
Ms. Crane’s program “Hospice Care 101” covered in detail what hospice services ARE, versus what they ARE NOT, and the   MISCONCEPTIONS regarding hospice care.  Hospice is a service to provide enhanced comfort and quality of life–it neither hastens death nor prolongs life. Teams of qualified experts provide physical, emotional and spiritual support as well as education to all involved.  Hospice is not a service that helps people die or that is intended for just the last few days or weeks of life. Choosing hospice care does not mean that all hope for life is lost.  When is it time to consider hospice—after diagnosis of a life limiting or chronic disease/illness.
Story County has 4 hospice providers associated with Care Initiatives. There are differences in provider services, so it is best to become acquainted with the providers before making a referral for their services.  Medicare Part A, Medicaid and private insurance cover all hospice services including medical equipment, beds, medication and associated supplies. No one is ever turned away from hospice services.
During her presentation, it was very apparent that Ms. Crane is a passionate advocate for patients and their families, helping them understand the many benefits that hospice support offers.  The 51 Golden K meeting attendees couldn’t agree more.

Five Special $1000 Awards!!

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club recently awarded Five $1,000 one-time Grants to charities and agencies who help children and families in Ames and surrounding communities. The competitive grants were from fund-raising activities and donations from Golden K members during the past year.  Eleven grant applications were received, and five grants were awarded.  In addition to the Grant Program, the club also donates to sixteen non-profit
charities and organizations each year. During 2020, $19,000 in Ames Golden K funds will be donated.
The five Grant recipients, three of whom received $1,000 plus $1,000 from Golden K’s  Annual Charity Donation Program, and two of whom received $1,000 plus $800 from Golden K’s Charity Donation Program include:
—AMES PUBLIC LIBRARY–The $2,000 Golden K Grant and Donation will be used to provide books for students enrolled in Story Pals.  An Ames Golden K/Library tradition has been the weekly award of a new children’s book to the Library signed by each week’s Golden K meeting Guest Speaker. Pictured from the left, Golden K’s Ron Skrdla and Norm Scott, Jerri Heid, Youth Services Manager, Ames Public Library.
—EMERGENCY RESIDENCE PROJECT–The $2,000 Golden K Grant and Donation will be used to establish a new program for the children of ERP family clients. The mission of ERP is to provide shelter and support to homeless individuals and families and strive to prevent individual and family homelessness.Pictured from the left Ron Skrdla, Golden K, Jodi Stumbo, Executive Director, ERP, Linda Munden, Housing and Volunteer Director, ERP, Keith Folkmann, Golden K.
—CHILDSERVE–The $2,000 Golden K Grant and Donation will be used to purchase educational toys, supplies and books used for programming purposes. The mission of ChildServe is to partner with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life. Locations are in Ames, Johnston and West Des Moines. The Ames program creates a safe, nurturing place for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Pictured from the left, Gina Spohnheimer and Larry Trede, Golden K; Kate Reynolds, Ames Area Director and Erica Axiotis, Director of Development, ChildServe.
—RAISING READERS IN STORY COUNTY–The $1,000 Golden K Grant and $800 Donation will be used to provide program materials, mostly books, for an estimated 134 students enrolled in Story Pals for 2020-21, a highly successful program!  The funding will also allow purchasing a book for each child to take home at winter break and a second book at the conclusion of the program. The mission of RRSC is to improve language and literacy development in children from birth to age eight and nurture healthy parent-child relationships. Pictured from the left, Lisa Reeves and Autumn Long, Raising Readers; Kent Ziebell and Keith Folkmann, Golden K.
— YOUTH AND SHELTER SERVICES–The $1,000 Golden K Grant and $800 Donation will be used by YSS to continue to give youth and families the support they need to flourish.  YSS’s comprehensive programs serve children, from newborns through young adults, and provide a safe, positive opportunity to heal, grow and gain independence.  One of their most
successful and long term programs is their “Kids Club” a before and after school program
that offers care for for kindergarten through sixth grade, and also includes a summer   program.  The Covid-19 pandemic has caused Kids Club to change it’s curriculum to more
on-site activities related to STEM. Many of the current volunteers at YSS participated in Kids Clubs and some of their paid staff in the program are graduates of the Kids Club.
Pictured from the Left; Golden K’s Larry Trede and Kent Ziebell, Jennifer Schmitt, YSS Kids Club Manager, and Gerri Bugg, YSS Community and Development Director and Ames Golden K Kiwanis member.

Mary Greeley Med Ctr and COVID-19

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Amber Deardorff, Vice President of Clinical and Support Services at Mary Greeley Medical Center, spoke recently at Ames Golden K’s weekly Thursday meeting, currently being held virtually. Amber is using her experience in a variety of roles as an 18-year member of the Mary Greeley team to currently serve as the incident commander for MGMC’s COVID-19 emergency management planning.  The following are highlights of Ms. Deardorff’s presentation.
–The latest statistics for COVID treatment in MGMC’s 13 county service area were shared.
–The Iowa Dept. of Public Health statistics are awesome–nearly real time.
–75% of area positive COVID cases are currently in the 18-40 age range.
–MGMC Employees are subject to rigorous testing. Of 21 confirmed positive since March, 18 are back at work.
–Elective surgeries were resumed April 28 and continue today.
–An effort is underway to ensure that a TEST IOWA site is available in Ames prior to the start of ISU classes in August.
–To date, there are no concerns regarding the available supply of Personal Protective Equipment {PPE}.
–Contact Tracing is a big challenge. Story County Public Health and Iowa Dept. of Public Health are helping Mary Greeley. MGMC contact traces all of their Employees who have been exposed.
–MGMC finances are in fairly good shape due to Federal CARES funding, and other assistance from state and federal agencies and the MGMC Foundation.
–MGMC leadership has been meeting often with ISU leaders. All dormitory student residents will be screened for COVID.  No direct testing for other students is planned, but other mitigation measures will be available, including the hoped for Test Iowa site.
–MGMC is heavily involved with the Ames School District in planning for a safe return to school this Fall.
Ms. Deardorff loves working closely with partner organizations, staff and physicians.  This was very evident in her presentation!

Ames During COVID-19

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Mayor John Haila was the guest speaker at the June 11 meeting of Ames Golden K. The weekly meetings continue to be held virtually.  Forty-seven Golden K members were in attendance along with Al Wicks of Iowa City Capital Kiwanis and Don Bice of Ames Town and Country Kiwanis.
The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown has presented many challenges for the Ames community.  The Mayor said that the city’s primary goal has been to protect residents and city staff–especially Departments that are critical resources for Ames and Story County.  To date there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported for any Ames city staff members.  Many public facilities are now open, and some such as the Municipal Library and Animal Shelter will be fully open by early July.  Unfortunately, the Aquatic Center will not open this summer, and this decision was definitely not popular with some Ames residents and several City Council members.   Other Summer events that have been canceled include the July 4 community parade and breakfast, July 4 Fireworks and the majority of Iowa Games competitions.
Students will return to ISU this Fall. There is some concern that there could be some issues with obtaining a full 2020 Census tabulation for Ames, as the majority of students were not present when the Census was taken. An undercount could negatively affect the Federal funding Ames and Story County receives.  A special Census may be necessary.  Other items covered by Mayor Haila include:
–Ames Farmers Market will now feature food trucks {with restrictions on access}.
–Food pantries are very low on supplies–hopefully citizens will step up to help replenish.
–Mary Greeley Hospital continues with great capacity to handle Covid patients.
–Ames 2040 Long Term Development Plan will be ready by the end of 2020.
–Five Hybrid Ames Police Cruisers will contribute to lessening our Carbon footprint.
–The South Grand extension is on schedule.
–Miracle League Field/Park is nearing completion.
–A new clubhouse will be constructed for Homewood Golf Course.
–An indoor pool to replace the aging Municipal  Pool is needed.
–An alternative to the Healthy Life Center is necessary, especially for Ames/Story County Seniors.
–Jobs losses due to the Pandemic are 8.4%–a shock to the Ames economy where unemployment was 1.7% in February.
–Hotel and Restaurant shutdowns have been drastic to the overall economy, but most are recovering, with very few going out of business. Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau which is supported by Hotel/Restaurant Sales Tax has lost 80% of its revenue to date.
–Ames City Council and all Departments continue to meet via ZOOM.  Has worked well.
Mayor Haila’s very thorough presentation and his astute answers to Golden K members questions, was appreciated very much by all in attendance.

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