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Shifting Gears
A note from Stephen B. Quirk, YESS CEO
Dear friends,
Every year, we are amazed at the outpouring of support for the YESS Duck Derby and the many ways that our community rallies behind the kids we keep safe. While t
here's truly no way to measure the far-reaching impact of this event, here are
just a few ways we measure its success:
35,500 d
ucks adopted
250
v
olunteers
58
f
undraising teams
3,000
a
ttendees on Race Day
$325,000
donated to keep kids safe!
The Duck Derby excitement may now be over, but there's always something new happening at YESS. As we "shift gears" and look forward to creating a great summer for kids in shelter, we have even more kids counting on us.
Just a few weeks before the 2016 YESS Duck Derby, we opened yet another living space within our shelter.
This living space allows YESS to accept up to eight more kids per night. That's eight more beds for a child to lay their head at night, eight more breakfasts to prepare each morning, and eight more kids who can find safety under our roof today.
We can only continue meeting the need for emergency shelter and wraparound support with help from friends like you.
Thank you for supporting the Duck Derby
and the infants, children and teens who find safety at YESS - all day, every day.
Peace,
SBQ
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View more pictures from the 2016 YESS Duck Derby here or
watch the live-stream video from the race here. |
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Duck Derby "Flock-Stars"
There are countless individuals who helped make the 2016 YESS Duck Derby a splashing success, but here are a few who deserve a special shout out for their hard work and dedication.
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Matt Deutsch,
Hydro-Klean
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Mark Peterson,
UPS
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Matt Shelton,
The Weitz Company |
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Andy Mains, MidAmerican Energy Company
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Jennifer O'Neil-Stumberg, Wells Fargo |
Paula Worrall,
Wells Fargo |
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Kaitlynn Briggs,
Wells Fargo
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Brooke Humpal,
Wells Fargo |
Jeff Latta,
Wells Fargo |
Cindy Sell,
WHO-TV 13 |
Megan Feld, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
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Mike Anderson,
Wells Fargo
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Joe Smith,
Wells Fargo
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Brien Spoden, Merchants Bonding Company |
Shelby Boyd, Merchants Bonding Company |
Jayme Robbins,
Des Moines Plastic Surgery |
Kane Johnson,
TPI |
Abby Delaney,
Strategic America |
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Andy Hewitt,
Strategic America
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Meg Marker,
Voya
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K
ariann Munson,
Voya
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Jenny Bessman,
Des Moines Radio Group |
Ashley Wilson,
Wells Fargo |
Stacey Bryan,
Wells Fargo |
Melissa Alto-Kintigh,
Flooring America
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James Tegtmeyer,
James Limousine |
Kelly Meiners,
Confections by Kelly |
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Teach a Skill, Change a Life
Summer is just around the corner, and we are looking for volunteers
who can teach the kids about specific hobbies and skills.
Are you an expert (or an enthusiastic novice) in any of the areas below? If so, we want your help getting kids engaged and learning this summer!
- Sewing
- Astronomy
- Engaging fitness activites, especially for teen boys
- Disc golf
- Gardening
- Arts and craft projects
- Cooking
- Nature exploration & hiking
- Other activities where kids learn, grow, and have fun!
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Update: Calming Boxes
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A child's calming box, which is
decorated
to
"look like a monster."
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A few months ago, we introduced
Team YESS to our calming box project. These small boxes let kids in shelter have a special place to store items that help them feel better when they have scared, frustrated, or unhappy feelings.
Since then, we've had overwhelming support from members of the community
who donated everything from "fidget" toys to coloring books and the shoe boxes that house these special items.
Thanks to these generous donations, we have provided many kids in shelter with these little boxes and
hope to continue growing this program. T
hey have become a popular coping skill for many kids when their feelings seem a little too big.
With more children than ever finding a safe haven at YESS, the need for these calming boxes will only continue to grow. If you are interested in donating items for this ongoing project, email Jana at
[email protected].
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 You're Invited!
Want to learn more about all of our programs and services? Curious to see the library, classrooms, or other new spaces in our shelter expansion?
We are happy to provide tours to agency friends and show you firsthand how your support changes kids' lives!
Contact Amanda Thys, Community Relations Coordinator, at
515-557-2254
or
[email protected]
for more information.
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