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Jerry's Jottings: Foundation got much help this past year
by Jerry Fleagle, Hoover Association · Op-Ed · November 20, 2014


As 2014 comes to a close, I have begun reflecting on the past year. It has flown by!


I am thankful for a lot of things, but most of all for the overwhelming support and encouragement I receive up and down Main Street, at West Branch athletic events, Monday night golf league at Fox Run, and of course, around the Hoover Campus – to keep up the important work of highlighting the life and legacy of Herbert Hoover, the Hoover Campus and West Branch.

And I am thankful for the work by the numerous volunteers in the community that help us tell the story by stuffing envelopes, baking cookies, working membership tables, special exhibits at the Iowa State Fair, and yes, even raking leaves under those big shade trees at the “Yellow House.”

We could not get it done with out their help, and I especially want to thank them for their help.

The Hoover Presidential Foundation has an important mission “to foster the collection, interpretation and preservation of resources relating to the life, ideas, values and times of Herbert Hoover.”

So, what does that mean? How do we do that? And how does it affect the West Branch Community? Let me take a shot at communicating what we do!

The Hoover Presidential Foundation works closely with the Library-Museum and Hoover National Historic Site to do things that speak to the mission statement above that the federal government cannot do in West Branch.

It includes funding support for special exhibits (this year we had “The Hidden Works of Ding Darling,” America’s First Ladies,” “Shakespeare Christmas,” and the numerous concerts and special presentations held throughout the year at the Library-Museum and Park.

The additional visitors to West Branch have a profound impact on several Main Street businesses, as we found out during the federal government shutdown a year ago when the Park and Museum were closed.

We need each other. We want to work even more closely with the West Branch community to create the “West Branch Experience” involving both the Hoover Campus, Main Street and the community. I have no doubt working together will create synergies that have a very positive effect on the entire community.

In 2015, we will have the largest exhibit ever at the Hoover Campus, “The Making of the Great Humanitarian: Herbert Hoover and World War I.” Our aim is to break the attendance record at the Library-Museum — not just for the numbers — but to tell the important story of how a West Branch native who became one of the most successful businessmen in the world gave it all up to help others in their time of need, and was elected 31st President of the United States in a landslide.

But, that’s not all we do. The Foundation plays a major part in Hoover’s Hometown Days. In 2014 we focused on creating more events in the Park, which were very successful.

Staff and volunteers then turned right around and headed to the Iowa State Fair, where over 22,000 Hoover Cookies on a stick were handed out, and gave us an opportunity to tell the story of Hoover, the Campus, and West Branch.

Last fall we moved the Hoover Ceremony of Life gravesite services from under the hot August sun to October to line up with the anniversary of the late President’s death.

This year we marked the 50th year commemoration of Herbert Hoover’s passing and state funeral with several special events, leading up to a gravesite ceremony on Oct. 25, with a tremendous keynote speech by Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize Foundation.

It was a beautiful Indian summer afternoon in West Branch, just as it was in 1964, when it’s reported that over 70,000 people came to West Branch that day to pay their last respects to the only Iowa-born U.S. President.

We also have an extensive program called the Uncommon Student Award, or USA. The program recognizes 15 high school juniors from Iowa that have uncommon abilities and projects to promote the greater good in public service. We just completed the 17th year of the USA program and are gearing up for another as you read this. This program has given over $530,000 to students in awards to further their college education.

And, speaking of “Uncommon,” we also recognize Iowa Legislators with a highly sought after “Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award,” where we honor two Iowa Legislators each spring that have shown uncommon leadership in public service that mirrors the ideals and standards set by Herbert Hoover.

Last year we began a new program with the University of Iowa called the Institute for Civic Engagement, which brings in high school teachers during the summer, and coupled with on-line preparation, to learn how to get their students and communities more civically engaged. This is a natural fit, as Herbert Hoover gave the last 50 years of his life to civic engagement.

One of Herbert Hoover’s passions was reaching young children. To that end, the Foundation began a school bus travel grant program to help schools bring classes to the Hoover Campus to learn about Hoover’s life and ideals.

I have to say, there is nothing better than to look out my office window and see a multitude of school busses dropping off kids for tours. To that end, we are working with the Library and Park to maximize the effectiveness of the program to reach even more kids and entice them to come back with their families.

Of course, we like to have some fun as well! Hoover Presidential Foundation members have a cookout picnic during Hoover’s Hometown Days, VIP receptions before each special exhibit opening and special trips to other Presidential Libraries.

This year, we took a long weekend trip and travelled to the Truman and Eisenhower Presidential Library-Museums and the WWI Museum in Kansas City. Why don’t you come join us for next year’s trip?!

So, looking back over this past year, I have a lot to be thankful for: Hoover Presidential Foundation members, trustees, volunteers, staff and donors who have helped fulfill the mission of the Hoover Presidential Foundation.

And I am thankful you took a few minutes to read this. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact me at 643-5327, or at jfleagle@hooverpf.org.

Best wishes on a safe and happy Holiday season!