GVSS APRIL 2025 NEWSLETTER

Assisting Grimes area folks to stay in their home since February 19, 2011!

Grimes Volunteer Support Services Newsletter APRIL 2025

Mission Statement-To provide, without charge, needed services to individuals in the Grimes area assisting them to remain in their homes.

President's Report

Ah, the sweet symphony of spring is upon us, and with it comes the delightful return of my feathered friends, the Robins!

April, a month bursting with transformation, is here to remind us that winter's chill is fading away, making room for vibrant green grass, budding trees, and those charming April showers that nourish our world. And let's not forget the joyful celebration of Easter that graces us this month—wishing all who celebrate a holiday filled with love and laughter! But as we bask in the beauty of spring, it also signals the time for some much-needed spring cleaning—yes, I'm looking at you, winter debris! Here at GVSS, we're on the lookout for generous volunteers willing to lend a hand with lawn mowing for our cherished clients. If you can spare an hour or two, you'll not only be making a difference in someone's life but also racking up those coveted Silver Cord hours if you're a student! And for those with a heart for helping seniors, we always welcome drivers to assist with transportation needs—whether you have half an hour or a whole day, your time is invaluable! Remember, without our wonderful volunteers, many things simply wouldn't get done. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and embrace the spirit of giving this spring!

If you have any questions about us at GVSS please call or stop by the office. We are very excited to meet new volunteers. WE can guarantee a fun time--just give us a chance.

Mike Bleskacek

GVSS President

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Marlene Minshew, a dedicated member of the GVSS Board, relocated to Grimes in March 2021 and subsequently joined the GVSS volunteer team in November 2022. Despite her relatively short time in the area, Marlene's connection to Grimes runs deeper, as her family hails from Iowa, and her brother along with his family currently reside in the same community.

Marlene worked in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years and also spent several years as the Financial Officer of a state-owned museum in North Carolina.

Marlene was married for 25 years before her husband passed away.

When ask what she likes about the community her response was that she likes it due to having family living in the community and her fond memories of visiting aunts and uncles that lived here as well as her grandparents. She likes the fact that it is still "Iowa Nice" and she has felt very welcome by everyone.

Marlene has volunteered most of her life for various museums and organizations. She loves seeing/hearing the happiness of people when you are able to help them. She volunteers for GVSS as it is like family. Everyone is dedicated to the organization and goes out of their way to help in any way possible.

When ask if she would recommend others to volunteer for GVSS. her response was most definitely. GVSS is such a unique organization for the Grimes community. The services provided is all done with unpaid volunteers that unselfishly donate their time to helping others in the neighborhood.

GVSS COORDINATORS

Mike Bleskacek, 55+

515-491-8294

Wanda Armstrong, Appreciation

515-661-8282

Dale Thompson Snow & Lawn Service

715-781-5076

Marlene Minshew, DME

515-986-5355

Thank You, Corporate Sponsors

Please tell them thanks for supporting GVSS!

Supportive Heroes ($1,000+)

Polk County Betterment

Gabus Automotive Group

OPUS Foundation

City of Grimes

Black Hills Energy

Golden Rule

Bankers Trust

Community Choice

Harvest Bible Chapel

Supportive Partners ($500-$999.99)

Kennybrook Village

Racoon Valley Bank

Supportive Friends ($250-$499.99)

BDI SIGNS

Community Greetings

Grove & Platt Dental

McAllisters Deli

Presbyterian Women

St. Peter Lutheran Church

Supportive Neighbors ($100-$249.99)

Assumption Women’s Club

Godfather’s Pizza

Grimes Lions Club

Mid Iowa Subway

Vibrant Insurance Group

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE WHO DONATED TO GVSS IN 2024:

Tammy Alvarado, Wanda Armstrong

Bruce & Jahn Bartelt, Linda Becker

Jodi & Kathy Bermel, Jim Bird

Mike & Eileen Bleskacek

Max Bodeman, Laurel Boures

Jay Brewer, Kristi Brokaw

Vickie Cook, Richard Craig

Francis Daniels, Martin Dyson

Roger Elwood, King Arthur Goulet

Quentin Greenough

Dorothy Greif Memorial, Tom Hart

Richard & Tammy Hawbaker

Harold & Eileen Hoeneck

Marie Hutcheson, Nicholas Idmeier

Barbara Knight, Cynthia Kreklau

Denise Kyle-Needs, Randy & Tate Larsen

Paul & Marsha Larson, Bill & Rene Lego

Tom & Mary Letsch, Richard Lindgren

Aaron Lubach, Terri Lyon

Karl & Alice Magnussen, Ann Miller

Patricia Moyer-Hollingsworth

Toni Parkins, Gloria Perry

Larry & Gayle Peters

Tim & Karen Rieck, Karen Seltz

L. S. Sesker,

Charles & Janet Skellenger

Larry Sleigh, Linda & Mark Stout

Ethel Sturdevant, Kristine Voorhees

Karen Vroman, Don & Ruth Wallace

Diane Ward, Alicia Watkins

Ralph Wenger, Myron & Arlis Werley

Sandra Williams

Don & Raeann Wyngarden

2025

GVSS BOARD MEMBERS

AND OFFICERS

Dale Thompson 715-781-5076

Gloria Perry, Financial Secretary

515-681-2861

Jane Hartnett 563-608-5817

Loree Herman 515-214-8466

Mary Claseman 281-703-0060

Marlene Minshew 515-986-5355

Nicholas Lees 919-239-3147

BobbiJo Wolfe, Treasurer

515-480-6270

Tim Dempsey, Secretary

515-306-0009

Wanda Armstrong, Vice President

515-661-8282

Mike Bleskacek, President

515-491-8294

me.bleskacel@gmail.com

You are never too young to volunteer at GVSS. Pictured above is GVSS volunteer Kris Campbell with her 13-year-old son Jacob. Jacob and his brother Kelson volunteered this past summer with Mom helping mow GVSS client yards.

GVSS recently participated in the Grimes Chamber Expo. Pictured below: John Palmer, Grimes Chamber, Mary Claseman, Mike Bleskacek, Wanda Armstrong, Gloria Perry and Dale Thompson from GVSS.

DAILY MEALS FOR SENIORS

All seniors are invited to congregate meals served daily at the Grimes Senior Center at 410 SE Main St. in the Grimes Community Complex. The Senior Center is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and lunch is served at 11:30 p.m.

For reservations, please call 986-5747 by noon the day before - and by noon Friday for a Monday meal. No fees for meals for those 60 and over; however, donations are accepted and appreciated.

Come for the food, friends and fun!

Need to borrow a piece of equipment?

Give GVSS a call!

When you have need of a piece of durable medical equipment, please give us a call. If we have what you need in stock, we'll be happy to loan it to you without charge for as long as you may need it.

We have crutches, walkers, canes, shower chairs and benches, quad canes, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, bath scales, elevated toilet seats, bed rails, toilet safety rails, and power lift recliners.

GVSS will clean, repair (if necessary), inventory, maintain and provide at no charge, loan of equipment to our clients who have a need. If you have equipment you'd like to donate, give us a call. We can schedule a time for you to bring it to the office or we'll come and pick it up.

Thanks for your support!

GVSS Office Hours

Come talk to us in person between 9:30 and 11:30 AM, Monday, Wednesday or Friday or call and make an appointment.

We are located at 404 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100 in the Grimes Governors District.

GVSS has been providing services to Grimes area residents since February 2011. Since then we have provided more than 28,967 trips, driven over 369,927miles and contributed over 58,468 hours of service to organize and provide assistance to residents of the community.

GVSS has over 200 clients and over 60 volunteers on our rosters.

For more information regarding GVSS, go to our web site:

www.grimesvss.com

Home visits can be arranged by calling 515-986-5355

info@grimesvss.com

GVSS is an Active and Proud member of the Grimes Chamber and Economic Development

Grimes Storehouse

112 NE Ewing St, Ste B

515-986-4191

E-Mail: thegrimesstorehouse@gmail.com

HOURS

Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9:30 am - 11:30 am

1st and 2nd Tuesday of each month

5:30 - 7:00 pm

While donating non-perishable food items is always valuable and appreciated, providing monetary donations can maximize the impact of your generosity compared to purchasing food items to donate.

Visit our website

Get In Touch

404 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Grimes, IA 50111

515-986-5355

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