Tony Thelen is a 1986 graduate of Kuemper Catholic High School, and at a recent get-together in Breda, a group of his high school classmates were discussing their upcoming 30th class reunion. The discussion took an interesting turn and the idea for a “party with a purpose” called Harvest for Hope was born. The classmates’ mission is to do something big that would raise money for a worthwhile cause. Thelen, who works for John Deere, had found out about a very deserving place in Madison County, near St. Charles, a few years prior called Wildwood Hills Ranch.
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Wildwood Hills is a 400 acre-working ranch that serves over 1,000 at-risk children from across the state of Iowa. Thelen was so impressed with Wildwood Hills’ goals and results that he is currently serving as their board chair. Al Lorenzen, CEO of the ranch, says it starts out as a summer program for kids eight to 12 years old, where they get hope and the chance to just be kids. Then, for the 13 and older teens, it becomes a year-round leadership development program to help them prepare for the next phases of their lives after turning 18. The ranch has seen tremendous growth in its first 16 years of operation, serving from 700 to 800 kids just five years ago, to the expectation that they will have over 1,200 by the end of this year. Lorenzen said helping just one of these kids can set off a chain reaction that lasts for generations to come.
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Lorenzen said we all want kids to behave and comply and become productive members of society, but that just can’t happen unless you can get inside these kids, help them deal with the neglect or abuse they have endured and then help them move on. Harvest for Hope is an invitation to everyone to join the Kuemper Class of 1986 on Friday, Aug. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Carrollton Inn in Carroll to have some fun and give members of the next generation the chance to heal, grow and achieve their dreams.
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Wildwood Hills Ranch cannot do what they do with just their staff, they need the members of communities and individuals like Thelen and his classmates to support their efforts and to afford them the opportunity to provide service to kids from the Carroll County area. More information about the event, including prize packages, sponsors and hosts can be found below or by logging on to www.wildwoodhillsranch.org under events and programs, then follow the Harvest for Hope link.
Below is an example of a confirmed live auction package (auction services provided by Gary Rupiper):
KC Royals Dream Package (Priceless)
• Four (4) Royals tickets (parking pass included) – arrange game with KC Royals admin office
• 2 nights hotel stay in KC area Embassy Suites
• $150 Casey’s gas card
• Signed 2013 Gold Glove Poster (signed by Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Salvador Perez)
• Signed Kansas City Royals Commemorative Sports Illustrated (signed by World Series MVP Salvador Perez)
• Signed hardcover More Than a Season by Dayton Moore
• Set of unsigned baseballs from the 2014 and 2015 World Series
Other packages in the works include: a Jimmy Buffet concert package; a Carrie Underwood package; and they have secured a Henry Doorly Zoo package among others
Sponsors for the event include:
Auen Distributing, Dan Pomeroy, Stine Seeds, Heart of America Restaurants, Bloomers Bar & Grill, Templeton Family Farms, Siedenburg Realty (DSM), Integrated Sales Incorporated, Gary Rupiper Auctioneer and numerous individuals in the Carroll area
Hosts for Harvest for Hope:
Matt Malm, Jarrett & Brenda Golwitzer, Jay and Julie Woodhouse, Al and Barb Lorenzen, and Tony and Sheila Thelen.