Press Release Archive
Thursday, June 26, 2008
First Lady Mari Culver Kicks Off 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund Campaign, Announces Early $3 Million In Pledges For Victims Of Iowa Weather Disasters
First Lady, Central Iowa Business Leaders Announce Donations To Local Organizations Aiding In Disaster Relief
(CEDAR RAPIDS) – Today, First Lady Mari Culver, along with members of the 2008 Iowa Disaster Collaborative, met with Eastern Iowa business and community organization leaders to kick-off a fundraising campaign to aid Iowans affected by this year’s severe weather. The Embrace Iowa – 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund representatives marked the occasion by presenting checks totaling $425,000 to officials representing 17 local community-based organizations in Eastern Iowa. In addition, Griswell and Hubbell announced the fundraising effort has secured approximately $2.5 million in additional pledges to the special fund.
First Lady Mari Culver said: “This fund is one of many ways Iowans can help our fellow citizens in need. I encourage all Iowans to continue to support our statewide rebuilding efforts, either through the Iowa Disaster Fund, by volunteering in your local community, or with a contribution to the many local relief organizations in Iowa. On behalf of the Culver-Judge administration, I want to thank the members of the Iowa Disaster Collaborative for their tireless work to help those affected by the recent storms.”
Last week, Governor Chet Culver announced that civic leaders Barry Griswell, Chairman of the Principal Financial Group, Inc, and Fred Hubbell, former Chairman, President, and CEO of Equitable of Iowa Companies, would lead the 2008 Iowa Disaster Collaborative, a new initiative to raise private funds for those affected by this year’s historic flooding and tornados. In addition to Griswell and Hubbell, the new initiative’s leadership will include University of Iowa President Sally Mason, Rockwell Collins CEO Clay Jones, Aegon USA CEO Pat Baird, and Amy Nimmer, President of the John Deere Foundation.
"The initial response from individuals and companies here in Iowa has been phenomenal," said Barry Griswell. "In a very basic way, it’s Iowans helping Iowans. The purpose of our group is to coordinate and direct the donations that are pouring in from generous individuals and companies in order to maximize the relief effort and to direct financial help where it is needed most. The key is working with groups like community foundations, the American Red Cross, United Way and the Salvation Army to help us identify local needs.”
“We want to fill any gaps in assistance that may come up and we want to make sure not one Iowan in need falls through the cracks,” said Fred Hubbell. “It’s important for people to know this money is coming directly from Iowans and it will stay here with the decisions on where the money goes being made by local groups on the ground dealing with the reality and challenges of re-building.”
“This is a tremendous example of jurisdictions and boundaries falling by the wayside,” said Pat Baird, President and CEO of Aegon USA. “On one hand, we’re overwhelmed with the generosity of our fellow Iowans. On the other hand, we’re not surprised. We’ll be dealing with the impact of the recent weather disasters for some time to come. It’s gratifying to know that business leaders and generous individuals from all over Iowa are stepping up to help. We’ll never forget that.”
Tax-deductible contributions may be made on-line at www.embraceiowa.org.
If paying by check, make it payable to 2008 Iowa Disaster fund and send to:
2008 Iowa Disaster Fund
PO Box 310239
Des Moines, IA 50331-0239
All donations received will be collected and processed by the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation.
Pat Baird is president and chief executive officer of AEGON USA, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the AEGON Insurance Group, a leading multinational insurance organization. AEGON is recognized as one of the five largest life insurance groups in the U.S. and provides insurance, investment, pension, reinsurance and supplementary health insurance products through a family of member insurance companies.
Mr. Griswell currently serves as Chairman of the Principal Financial Group, Inc., one of Iowa's largest employers, and is the incoming president of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, which works with nearly 80 other community foundations across the state.
Fred Hubbell, the former Chairman, President, and CEO of Equitable of Iowa Companies, currently serves as the Chairman of the Iowa Power Fund Board. Mr. Hubbell has a long history of civic participation in Des Moines and throughout Iowa, and has most recently served on the Executive Board and as Chairman of Insurance and Asset Management Americas for the ING Group.
The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation is a donor-driven charitable public foundation whose purpose is to improve the quality of life in Greater Des Moines through philanthropy.
The Community Foundation currently manages assets in excess of $184 million, administers more than 520 charitable funds created by Iowans, and distributed more than $26 million in grants in 2007. Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.