It’s Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Hey folks, it’s Amie. Welcome to your weekly dose of good news from Iowa!

In this week’s edition:

• amazing Iowans who have done (and are doing) some amazing things for others;

• even in Iowa’s statewide maternal care deserts, there are bright spots;

• try not to cry along with a boy who explained how his older brother’s death spurred him to give away his own Halloween candy to others.

Crying occasionally is a nice release, I’ve found!

I’m a one-woman finder of all good things in Iowa—from my own travels around Waterloo and eastern Iowa, to trolling for good stories at other news organizations across the state. But I can’t catch everything!

So hit that button below and let me know if you ever come across a good story from your corner of the prairie,

1. Thrift Store and More 🪙

Cedar Valley Thrift owner Karmin Teague (pictured, middle) opened her Waterloo store on East Fourth Street in March of this year, providing everything from kids’ clothes to business attire at deeply discounted prices for folks having a hard time.

But Teague doesn’t stop there. Under her company, PGC Outreach, she also hands out free food from a small food pantry (pictured, back left), offers a free computer for people to use for job services, and has connections with outreach services in the area for those needing help beyond that.

Next up for the entrepreneur with a heart for community? She’s fixing meals for the homeless on Thanksgiving, raising money to buy winter gear for kids, and starting up a job skills program for youth, Young Adult Support Services (YASS), in January. Longer term, she hopes to open her own temporary shelter for those escaping domestic violence.

💬 “I’ve had a lot of different things going on in my life … I’ve been that person. I’m not saying I know how they feel, but I know the circumstances of how you find yourself in there. I don’t care about what you did. What do you want to do? Let’s move on. And that’s me.”

~Teague

2. Candy for All 🍬

As sixth-graders Avi Curtis and Liam Ireland trick-or-treated in Waukee, they came across an empty bowl. Rather than let kids keep coming by disappointed, the two filled it with candy they already received.

When a family stopped by, the boys gave away some of their Pokemon cards they were carrying, too (a kid’s prized possession!). And it was all caught on the homeowner’s doorbell camera.

Liam told KCCI he lost his older brother, who exemplified compassion in the way he treated Liam, in December. “He’d do anything for me,” Liam said. “So I give more. I show other people kindness.”

💬 “There’s more nice people in this world than you think there is.”

~Liam Ireland

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Just like “food deserts” are places without grocery stores nearby, “maternity deserts” are places where no specialized care for moms and babies can be found for miles and miles. They’re especially found in rural Iowa, particularly in the wake of the state’s continued attacks on abortion care leading to a dearth of OB-GYNs.

But maternal care is expanding at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, where moms-to-be will find larger rooms, and the ability to stay in those rooms for all phases of their delivery.

More good news for northwest Iowa: Sioux City’s Siouxland Community Health Center just got word they’re getting a $5 million, no-strings-attached gift from billionaire MacKenzie Scott. (They’re still deciding how best to use the money.)

Donna Evans was always a reader.

But the former elementary school teacher assistant “fell into” a position at the Carroll Public Library, where she became the adult services librarian and go-to recommender of books. She started an evening book club, added a lunchtime book club and even a short-lived cooking-themed/recipe-swap club that brought in regular readers. (And she personally curated the book picks.)

Evans retired last month, but says she plans to keep reading, plus do more quilting, sewing, and home improvement projects.

💬 “I was a hodgepodge of whatever we needed to have done. It was kind of, ‘would you do this?’ And I did it.”

~Donna Evans

Aurora Vasquez was one of 17 brothers and sisters, growing up in poverty in the Quad Cities without electricity or running water, and having to do laundry in the Mississippi River. She later raised 11 children of her own.

On top of all of that, Vasquez was a force for social justice in southeast Iowa. She was one of the earliest members of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Davenport in 1960. She met (and cooked dinner for) civil rights activist and labor leader César Chávez during the famous grape boycott. Her service continued later in life, providing meals and transportation through the Center for Active Seniors.

And she’s still inspiring: She turned 100 this past weekend with a celebration at her Bettendorf retirement home.

💬 “I’m proud of all of the accomplishments that our family, and the Hispanics, have achieved over the years. I’ve encouraged my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to further their education and build life-long skills. I wanted them to become good stewards of their community.”

~Aurora Vasquez

This is Riley. His family didn’t know he could cover himself with a blanket like this. Maybe he’s hoping this gives them the hint to turn up the thermostat?

(Photo submitted by Donna W.)

Send me your pet’s photo here!

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