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Assisting Grimes area folks to stay in their home since February 19, 2011!

Grimes Volunteer Support Services Newsletter October 2025

Mission Statement-To provide, without charge, needed services to individuals in the Grimes area assisting them to remain in their homes.

President's Report


Greetings,


As we embrace the beautiful month of October, we find ourselves surrounded by the vibrant colors of fall, with mums and pumpkins adorning our beloved city of Grimes. This season serves as a gentle reminder to consider your snow removal needs for the upcoming winter. If we had the pleasure of assisting you last year, please take a moment to renew your contract, as we prioritize our returning clients who are cherished members of the GVSS family. As we look ahead, we can feel the excitement building for the holiday season, filled with opportunities to gather and celebrate with loved ones. October brings us Halloween and Columbus Day, while November ushers in Election Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, all perfect occasions for family and community connections. At GVSS, we truly believe in the motto "Neighbors helping Neighbors," and we recognize that our dedicated volunteers play a crucial role in making our services possible. We invite you to savor the crispness of fall and look forward to our future communications, knowing that together, we can continue to support one another in the spirit of community and care.


If you have any questions about us at GVSS please call or stop by the office. We are very excited to meet new volunteers. WE can guarantee a fun time--just give us a chance.


Mike Bleskacek

GVSS President

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Cyndy Bolsenga has been a dedicated volunteer with Grimes Volunteer Services and Support (GVSS) since November 2024, reflecting her deep-rooted connection to the community of Grimes, where she has resided for the majority of her life. Alongside her husband Dave, Cyndy is a proud mother of three and grandmother of four, embodying the values of family and service that are integral to her. With a professional background that includes various roles in the legal field and culminating as an executive assistant for the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Cyndy transitioned into volunteering as a meaningful way to give back to her hometown. Through her involvement with GVSS, she has not only contributed to the well-being of others but has also forged lasting friendships, highlighting the supportive network that GVSS nurtures among its volunteers and clients. Cyndy passionately asserts that volunteering with GVSS is a rewarding experience that fosters joy and satisfaction, as the organization is committed to making a tangible difference in people's lives and strengthening community bonds. She enthusiastically encourages others to consider volunteering, stating, "Yes! If you are looking for something to do that will leave you with a 'feel good' feeling, volunteering at GVSS will definitely do that, and there are many ways to serve your neighbors through GVSS."

FIRST RESPONDER LUNCHEON

GVSS recently attended the Chamber of Commerce annual First Responders Appreciation luncheon. This event is held to recognize and honor the brave men and women of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and the Johnston-Grimes Fire Department. These dedicated first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe, and this event is a small way to say thank you for their service, sacrifice, and commitment. GVSS held a drawing for a couple of our volunteer gifts. Pictured below is Mark Chance--winner of a GVSS blanket and Kristen Norstrom winner of a GVSS duffel bag. Mike Bleskacek, GVSS president presented the gifts after the drawing.


SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the City of Grimes for their generous support, which plays a pivotal role in empowering Grimes Volunteer Support Services to fulfill our mission of aiding local residents. This incredible partnership not only enhances the quality of life for seniors and disabled individuals in our community but also fosters a spirit of collaboration that we cherish. Pictured below is Council members Laurie DePhillips, Ryan Burger, Mayor Scott Mikkelsen, GVSS President Mike Bleskacek, Council members David Gisch, Andrew Borcherding, and Eric Johansen. Again, thank you to the City of Grimes.

Thank You, Corporate Sponsors

 

Please tell them thanks for supporting GVSS!

   

Supportive Heroes ($1,000+)

 

Polk County Betterment

Gabus Automotive Group

OPUS Foundation

City of Grimes

Black Hills Energy

Golden Rule

Bankers Trust

Community Choice

Harvest Bible Chapel

Total Family Eye Care

That 1 Painters

 

Supportive Partners ($500-$999.99)

Kennybrook Village

 Racoon Valley Bank


         Supportive Friends ($250-$499.99)

BDI SIGNS

Community Greetings

Grove & Platt Dental

McAllisters Deli

Presbyterian Women

St. Peter Lutheran Church

 

 Supportive Neighbors ($100-$249.99)

Assumption Women’s Club

Godfather’s Pizza

Grimes Lions Club

Mid Iowa Subway

Vibrant Insurance Group


A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE WHO DONATED TO GVSS IN 2024:

Tammy Alvarado, Wanda Armstrong

Bruce & Jahn Bartelt, Linda Becker

 Jodi & Kathy Bermel, Jim Bird

 Mike & Eileen Bleskacek

Max Bodeman, Laurel Boures

Jay Brewer, Kristi Brokaw

Vickie Cook, Richard Craig

 Francis Daniels, Martin Dyson

Roger Elwood, King Arthur Goulet

 Quentin Greenough

Dorothy Greif Memorial, Tom Hart

Richard & Tammy Hawbaker

Harold & Eileen Hoeneck

Marie Hutcheson, Nicholas Idmeier

Barbara Knight, Cynthia Kreklau

Denise Kyle-Needs, Randy & Tate Larsen

Paul & Marsha Larson, Bill & Rene Lego

Tom & Mary Letsch, Richard Lindgren

Aaron Lubach, Terri Lyon

Karl & Alice Magnussen, Ann Miller

Patricia Moyer-Hollingsworth

Toni Parkins, Gloria Perry

Larry & Gayle Peters

Tim & Karen Rieck, Karen Seltz

L. S. Sesker,

Charles & Janet Skellenger

Larry Sleigh, Linda & Mark Stout

Ethel Sturdevant, Kristine Voorhees

Karen Vroman, Don & Ruth Wallace

Diane Ward, Alicia Watkins

Ralph Wenger, Myron & Arlis Werley

Sandra Williams

Don & Raeann Wyngarden

2025

GVSS BOARD MEMBERS

AND OFFICERS


Dale Thompson 715-781-5076

Gloria Perry, Financial Secretary

515-681-2861

Jane Hartnett 563-608-5817

Loree Herman 515-214-8466

Mary Claseman 281-703-0060

Marlene Minshew 515-986-5355

Nicholas Lees 919-239-3147

BobbiJo Wolfe, Treasurer

515-480-6270

Tim Dempsey, Secretary

515-306-0009 

Wanda Armstrong, Vice President

515-661-8282

 Mike Bleskacek, President

515-491-8294

me.bleskacel@gmail.com



GVSS QUARTERLY STATISTICS



July - September 2025

Clients served--137

Volunteers involved -- 125

Trips -- 1,176

Miles driven -- 9,554


GVSS COORDINATORS


Mike Bleskacek, 55+

515-491-8294

Wanda Armstrong, Appreciation

515-661-8282

Dale Thompson Snow & Lawn Service

715-781-5076

Marlene Minshew, DME

515-986-5355

As the chill of winter approaches, GVSS is calling upon compassionate individuals to join our mission in providing essential snow removal assistance to those in need within our community. This is not just a chance to lend a helping hand; it’s an opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying the flexibility of working with an assigned individual, allowing you to balance your commitment with your personal schedule. We warmly invite families to come together in this noble endeavor, creating cherished memories while instilling valuable lessons of kindness and community service in the hearts of your children. Your participation will not only support your neighbors but will also strengthen the bonds that tie us all together as a community. If you feel inspired to help, we encourage you to reach out to us at 515-986-5355 and become a vital part of this movement to spread warmth and goodwill this winter season.


DONATE ON-LINE

DAILY MEALS FOR SENIORS

All seniors are invited to congregate meals served daily at the Grimes Senior Center at 410 SE Main St. in the Grimes Community Complex. The Senior Center is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m.  to 1:30 p.m. and lunch is served at 11:30 p.m. 

 For reservations, please call 986-5747 by noon the day before - and by noon Friday for a Monday meal. No fees for meals for those 60 and over; however, donations are accepted and appreciated.

 Come for the food, friends and fun!

Need to borrow a piece of equipment?

Give GVSS a call!

When you have need of a piece of durable medical equipment, please give us a call. If we have what you need in stock, we'll be happy to loan it to you without charge for as long as you may need it.
We have crutches, walkers, canes, shower chairs and benches, quad canes, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, bath scales, elevated toilet seats, bed rails, toilet safety rails, and power lift recliners.
GVSS will clean, repair (if necessary), inventory, maintain and provide at no charge, loan of equipment to our clients who have a need. If you have equipment you'd like to donate, give us a call. We can schedule a time for you to bring it to the office or we'll come and pick it up.
Thanks for your support!
GVSS Office Hours

Come talk to us in person between 9:30 and 11:30 AM, Monday, Wednesday or Friday or call and make an appointment.


We are located at 404 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100 in the Grimes Governors District.

GVSS has been providing services to Grimes area residents since February 2011. Since then we have provided more than 28,967 trips, driven over 369,927miles and contributed over 58,468 hours of service to organize and provide assistance to residents of the community.


GVSS has over 200 clients and over 60 volunteers on our rosters.

 For more information regarding GVSS, go to our web site:

www.grimesvss.com


 Home visits can be arranged by calling 515-986-5355

info@grimesvss.com

GVSS is an Active and Proud member of the Grimes Chamber and Economic Development
Grimes Storehouse

112 NE Ewing St, Ste B

515-986-4191

E-Mail: thegrimesstorehouse@gmail.com

HOURS

Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9:30 am - 11:30 am

1st and 2nd Tuesday of each month

5:30 - 7:00 pm

While donating non-perishable food items is always valuable and appreciated, providing monetary donations can maximize the impact of your generosity compared to purchasing food items to donate. 

404 SE 2nd Street, Suite 100
Grimes, IA 50111
515-986-5355