AMONG THE MANY PROJECTS SO PRECIOUS TO US ARE

Outdoors at Four Oaks Building

Four Oaks

This innovative program fundamentally changed the way support services were delivered to at-risk children and simultaneously invested in housing in deteriorating inner-city Cedar Rapids neighborhoods. Diana Ledford says, “When I think about what has impressed me most during the time I’ve worked with the DeWolf family, alongside Lil’ Drug employees, it’s got to be our relationship with Four Oaks and the TotalChild program. The program means so much to children and families in the community when there’s a systemic issue, and the child lacks a home, an education, opportunities, healthcare, and good nutrition.” TotalChild serves the needs of the whole family. The program follows the children and their families for many years to help support their long-term success.

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A group of people with red JumpStart shirts on

JumpStart Program

The mission of Mount Mercy University’s JumpStart Summer Academy is to inspire children of Cedar Rapids to reach their educational potential by teaching vital lessons in leadership and academics – through the support of mentors and role models – as part of free sports programming at the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex. The University’s initial request for funds to build a sports complex was denied because Chris and Suzy believed such a complex would need to provide more for the total community. Nate Klein says, “Chris and Suzy had us return to the drawing board so that we could create a program around this initiative and return with a proposal aimed at utilizing the athletic complex as a broadly defined community asset.”

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exterior of mercy hospice building

The Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy

Suzy DeWolf’s father’s battle with Cancer taught the family first-hand the value of hospice. So, following his passing, the family provided leadership and financial gifts to construct the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Suzy served on the capital campaign to raise funds for the project as well as on the steering committee to implement best practices into the facility’s design. The Hospice House has now been operational for 10 years and their dedicated support continues. Jodi Zahner experienced first-hand how their efforts contribute to their communities just by working at LDSP. She says, “When my dad passed away just a few months ago in the Oldorf Hospice House, my family took peace in knowing that this place was made available by the great team members at LDSP. The work of former and current employees truly has and will continue to have a lasting impact on our families, neighbors and friends in the community.”

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Mercy Medical Center – The Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia at Hallmar Village

Mercy Medical Center’s Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia serves as a hub of research, training and education to help those who are aging and have chronic conditions — most notably dementia — live their lives with purpose. “Because of the work Lil’ Drug employees put in every single day, we’re able to meet the needs of the community and now have a world-class dementia center for innovation," says Michelle Ridder.

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exterior building of the museum of art

The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art – Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Gallery

The work of the Lil’ Drug employees made it possible to fulfill the mission of helping visitors discover extraordinary works of art, explore new ideas, and cultivate fresh insights. The DeWolf Family Gallery in the new museum building will be the permanent home of Jackson Pollock’s 1943 masterpiece, Mural—the cornerstone of the world-class collection at the Stanley and one of the most significant works of art of the twentieth century. Lauren Lessing of the UI Stanley Museum of Art says, “Generations of young people, from preschoolers visiting with their parents to fifth graders on field trips and university students, will have the opportunity to explore, learn and grow in the new gallery. Nearly a decade after the flood, the Pollock, along with other precious works, will return home.”

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The Zach Johnson Foundation – Kids on Course University

Contributions from the DeWolf Family, made possible by the hard work of LDSP employees, have supported the year-round Kids on Course University. Kids on Course provides tutoring, enrichment, parent engagement, summer learning and long-term mentoring to prevent students from the ‘summer slide’ that often sets them back in between school years. Jenny Becker says, “There is an authentic desire to make meaningful gifts that truly impact our community. So, our organization has been especially grateful for the flexibility to redirect the gifts based on what the community really needs this year.”

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a group of kids in a swimming pool

Tanager Place – Camp Tanager

Camp Tanager, which offers summer and year-round programs for children in the Greater Cedar Rapids area, has been supported over the years and able to undergo an expansion due to gifts made by the DeWolf family, and thanks of the success of Lil’ Drug. “The creation of the summer lodge has been a significant addition to the camp. It’s truly special to see kids form bonds and friendships here,” says Finn, an Assistant Camp Director.

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