Ames, IA-- In 2008, a deadly tornado struck a Boy Scout camp in western Iowa. In response to that tragedy, the Iowa 4-H Foundation committed to constructing a tornado safe room at the Iowa 4-H Center in Madrid to protect campers in the event of severe weather. The facility was officially dedicated on July 1 following the completion of construction this past fall. 4-H supporters came together to celebrate this space and experience camp at the Iowa 4-H Center.
Contact: Albert Grunenwald, Executive Director, 515.294.4780 or abgrunen@iastate.edu
-or- Emily Saveraid, Development Director, 319.329.5236 or esaver@iastate.edu
For Immediate Release
July 7, 2015
Iowa 4-H Foundation Dedicates Tornado Safe Room at Iowa 4-H Center
Ames, IA-- In 2008, a deadly tornado struck a Boy Scout camp in western Iowa. In response to that tragedy, the Iowa 4-H Foundation committed to constructing a tornado safe room at the Iowa 4-H Center in Madrid to protect campers in the event of severe weather. The facility was officially dedicated on July 1 following the completion of construction this past fall. 4-H supporters came together to celebrate this space and experience camp at the Iowa 4-H Center.
“The safety of campers at the Iowa 4-H Center is paramount and we know that this facility will offer peace of mind to campers and families alike,” said Albert Grunenwald, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “This project was the result of the vision of many and we are thankful to our supporters whose contributions helped fill this need for campers.”
While the ribbon cutting served as the official opening of the Tornado Safe Room, the facility has already been used during a recent severe weather event. Over 100 campers took shelter in the Safe Room while a tornado touched down near Ogden on May 17.
The Tornado Safe Room can accommodate 175 people and can withstand sustained winds of up to 250 mph. The facility is an additional resource for campers and is a component of the overall emergency management plan for the Iowa 4-H Center. Lead donors for this project include Dean & Adele Bowden, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Ready Mix Concrete Association and Sukup Manufacturing Company.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and provides the private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.
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Cutlines:
4-H Safe Room Ribbon Cutting: The Executive Committee of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board join major donors to officially dedicate the Tornado Safe Room at the Iowa 4-H Center on July 1. First Row, pictured left to right: Dr. Cathann Kress, Iowa State University; Dean Bowden, Adele Bowden, donors; Bob Butcher, President, Iowa 4-H Foundation; Steve Mallicoat, Iowa Ready Mix Concrete Association; Albert Grunenwald, Executive Director, Iowa 4-H Foundation. Second Row, pictured left to right: Iowa 4-H Foundation Trustees Joe Swanson, Janel Tyler, Tom Nicholson, Mitch Baum, John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, Doug Den Adel, Jerry Roell.
Boone County 4-H’ers Cut Ribbon: Boone County 4-H’ers Asher Heckman, Hannah Heckman and Taylor Tanke from the Green Clovers 4-H Club help Bob Butcher, President of the Iowa 4-H Foundation (left) and Albert Grunenwald, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation (right) re-enact the ribbon cutting following the official ceremony on July 1.
