William P. O’Donnell
As past readers of these Good Deeds articles know sometimes the subject matter deals with real estate and home ownership issues. Other times a current event, a matter involving history or just something of interest is written about. With this article due I started looking at and writing about Groundhog Day which occurred on Feb. 2. This is the day a groundhog, most notably Punxsutawney Phil, comes out of his home and predicts how much time is left of winter. There is even a movie film entitled “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray where everyday he wakes up reliving the same day over and over again. How many of us have felt that this is what has been taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic?
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Community Content
Note: In response to concerns about the coronavirus, area events may be subject to cancellation, postponement or attendance limits. Please contact organizers to confirm event details.
10th annual Mick Morgan’s Race for HESSCO: Join the virtual race from March 13-17. This event is for runners, walkers and cyclists of all ages. Registration is now open; free race T-shirts provided to the first 250 people registered. Information: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=12008&blm aid=31482#add entry
Gala of Giving: Tickets are now available for the Westwood Community Chest’s annual Gala of Giving, to be held virtually on March 6 at 7 p.m. The event will include wine pull, raffle and silent auction. Information: https://westwoodcommunitychest.org
Twenty-four local fire and rescue departments have received $750 each as part of a January allocation from Landus Cooperative to 66 departments at a total of $49,500. This money is used to update and improve equipment and services, facilitating emergency response in local communities and surrounding areas through the Landus Core Grant program established in 2019. “Landus is committed to contributing to the vitality of our rural Iowa communities,” says President and CEO, Matt Carstens. “Our core grant program is one tool that we use to help do just that. Fire and rescue workers are essential to the health and safety of our farmer-owners, employees and community members and we are proud to do our part to support them.” The annual grant amount reflects an increase of 10 percent over last year’s $45,000. A listing of area departments receiving grants is included below.