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Uncommon Words: Mission fulfilled in 2017 with statue, Hoover-Ball and more
by Jerry Fleagle, Hoover Presidential Found · Op-Ed · December 21, 2017
So here we are at the end of another year – and what a year it was!
Our mission at the Hoover Presidential Foundation was revisited this summer and now reads as follows: The Hoover Presidential Foundation promotes and supports the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum, National Historic Site, and programs that relate to and enhance the understanding of Herbert Hoover as president and humanitarian. It’s a bit shorter and more concise than our previous mission statement, but still carries the same message. The activities and efforts we undertake must relate to promoting the life and ideals of Hoover.
In 2017, we accomplished that goal. This summer, we helped complete Connie Laughlin’s vision of a Hoover statue by providing matching funds to help raise money for the project. Her vision was realized with the unveiling of a life-size bronzed Herbert Hoover statue seated on a park bench near the entrance of Hoover Elementary. We are grateful to Connie for her efforts and all of the donors who made the project possible!
We also saw a large increase, more than double, of young athletes participating in Youth Hoover-Ball during Hoover’s Hometown Days. I’d like to again thank the parents and volunteers who helped us with registration, setting the courts and tracking the games. It was a great community effort that brought a large crowd to the Village Green that Friday evening.
We also enjoyed a large crowd at the Celebration Banquet, featuring author Chris Whipple. The banquet is our largest annual fundraising event and provides a unique venue for us to share Hoover’s life. Other events included the gravesite ceremony, attended by over 100 students from Hoover Elementary, and the Uncommon Student Awards, where 14 Iowa high school seniors presented amazing service projects of their own design, each earning a share of over $30,000 in scholarship money.
One of the biggest changes at the Foundation was the hiring of Mundi McCarty as our new director of development. Mundi (Gordon) grew up in West Branch, graduating from West Branch High School, and now lives nearby with her family. Mundi will play a vital role in helping us achieve one of our biggest goals in 25 years – a major renovation of the Library-Museum. While we are still in the planning stages, the groundwork is beginning behind the scenes for this lofty goal.
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site shines a light on the West Branch community. It makes this community unique. Our city boasts the only Presidential Library in the state and is located in one of only two National Parks in Iowa. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people stop along Parkside Drive across from the Yellow House to take selfies in front of the National Park sign!
Our Hoover heritage is important to us at the Foundation. We’re proud of what the Hoover campus represents, the people who work here, and thankful for the many volunteers who help us with so many different projects. We couldn’t do it without you!
We’re looking forward to a great year ahead with all of you, and wish you all a blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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