Friday, June 11, 2021
The Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation has partnered with local non-profit Imagine Grinnell and the 1000 Trees project to offer a two-year, $20,000 challenge grant to replace trees throughout Grinnell that were lost to the 2020 Derecho. The grant will match dollar-for-dollar donations received from supporters in 2021 and 2022.
Financial gifts to the 1000 Trees project allow the organization to assist residents in the 50112-zip code area with the purchase and planting of new trees, often at no cost or a significant discount to the property owners. City leaders estimate that more than 1,400 trees, or 40% of Grinnell’s tree population, have been lost because of the derecho and effects of the emerald ash bore.
“The Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation has a deep understanding of the needs and challenges our community faces,” said Jeff Menary, chair of GMG Foundation, and the president and CEO of Grinnell Mutual. “Supporting this project to replace 1000 or more of the trees lost recently helps restore an important natural resource in Grinnell. This challenge grant encourages local support and offers donors a simple way to actually double their donation amount.”
Tim Ellsworth, President of Imagine Grinnell, explained, “This challenge grant helps to push forward the 1000 Trees initiative in a way that would otherwise take significant additional time and resources. Our mission at Imagine Grinnell is to create a healthier and more sustainable community and the support from the GMG Foundation is helping us to do just that.”
Spring tree planting, focused on Grinnell’s third and fourth wards, has netted replacement of nearly 450 trees. Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 replanting plans are now underway. To make a donation to the fund please visit https://www.imaginegrinnell.org/support click on donate and select Imagine Grinnell 1000 trees or send a check to Imagine Grinnell with 1000 trees in the memo to P.O. Box 284 Grinnell, IA 50112.
About Grinnell Mutual
Grinnell Mutual, in business since 1909, is the 108th-largest property-casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America. Its products are available in 17 states. The Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation supports the corporate mission, offering grants focused on health care, education, agriculture, safety, and community needs.
About Imagine Grinnell
Imagine Grinnell is a partner program of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation focused on creating healthier people and a healthier environment in the Grinnell community. The mission of Imagine Grinnell is to turn imagination into action to create a more vibrant, sustainable, and healthy Grinnell. For more information about Imagine Grinnell or to get involved, please visit imaginegrinnell.org or call 641-236-5518.
Pic 1- L-R: Dallas DeNeve, Andrew Cogley, David Brandt- Staking a Blue Beech in the right-of-way
Pic 2- L-R: Wyatt Dillon, Erick Leggans, Hephaestion Kessler-Leggans, Sally Kessler, and Ashley Armstrong- planted a Northern Redbud in the right-of-way
