One hallmark of the Quad Cities region is the generosity of its businesses and business leaders.
This is most evident especially this time of year with Deere & Co. and its sponsorship of the John Deere Classic and the Birdies for Charities. The PGA Tour event has raised nearly $160 million for local charities since the tournament began as the Quad Cities Open in 1971. But more than 98% of that total has come since Deere became the title sponsor in 1998.
Another recent high-profile donation was the von Maur family gifting $1 million to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois.
The gift – given in memory of the family’s matriarch, Susan von Maur, of Davenport, who passed away on May 11 at the age of 86 – was pledged in March.
Funds will be used to improve recreational opportunities at the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City at 730 Hawkins Drive.
“Dick and Sue von Maur believed in the mission and the great work they do for children,” said CEO Jim von Maur in an email to the CBJ. “Secondly, they liked how efficient and well-run the facility is and saw the need for enhancements. We could not think of a more fitting way to honor our parents’ legacy.”
Richard von Maur was the former co-chairman of the Von Maur department stores for 60 years until his death in 2018.
The couple also were consistent donors to the Quad City Symphony and established the von Maur Scholarship Fund at Trinity Cathedral.
Another gift by Cal and Jill Werner caught our attention. Mr. Werner is a long-time business and community leader and attorney with Stanley, Lande & Hunter. The financial gift enables all visitors to the Figge Art Museum to gain free access for the month of July to the exhibitions on view.
“We are grateful to Cal and Jill Werner for their generous gift of free admission to our community,” Figge Executive Director & CEO Michelle Hargrave said in a news release. “Now more than ever, people are looking for connection, inspiration, and solace and the artwork on view offers all of those things and more to all who visit.”
This marks the third year the Werners have offered their support to provide the community with free admission.
Additionally, Palmer College of Chiropractic celebrated its 125th anniversary last fall with the dedication of a new $23 million student housing building at 1039 Perry St., Davenport. The building is named the Paul and Donna VanDuyne Hall.
The VanDuynes, who co-chair the fundraising campaign and are former students at Palmer, made a $2.5 million contribution to kickstart the campaign. Mr. VanDuyne is the president and CEO of IMEG, a Quad Cities-based global engineering firm.
The region should recognize and appreciate the generosity of these businesses and business leaders.
