MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Through the program, we care about and support local causes that make our communities brighter each month. Check out our calendar to learn about the people and organizations we’ve recently supported that are making a positive impact and making the Midwest a great place to call “home.”
Each charity will be spotlighted in its respective month. We’ll share how it supports our communities and how you can join our team to help get involved. All of MFLCares’ 2022 causes will also receive a $1500 donation in support of their missions.
“We started the MFLCares program in 2016 in an effort to create a conduit between our communities and the incredible causes within them. However, throughout the last five years, it has become much more than that. MFLCares is a huge part of who we are as a company. Each month, we get the opportunity to meet the real people behind these organizations, and it’s always both inspiring and humbling. We are proud just to play a small part in growing the awareness for these admirable charities.” ~Chuck West, president of Midwest Family Lending
The “most wonderful time of the year” can also be one of the most stressful. But this is especially so for families struggling with job loss, a death in the family, military deployment, a health crisis, etc.
“Many local families are facing a variety of hardships, which can feel magnified this time of year,” says Chuck West, president of Midwest Family Lending. “Although we would love to do more, we hope a little support will ease the burden for these families — especially during this season.”
Enter #SpreadCheer2021
Although the need is overwhelming, we’ve hoped to make the Christmas season a bit brighter for at least a few. Our team’s reached out to local schools, hospitals, churches, ministerial associations and other community groups to identify more than a dozen families in need of support and a little hope in the second year of our “SpreadCheer” project.
We’ve been sharing a bit about each family’s story on our social media channels. We hope it’s opened your eyes to your neighbors and the families in your daily lives who are struggling and could use some help.
If you’re not already following us on Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter, please do to keep in the know about all things mortgages & Midwest Family Lending!
“We find each year these families help us more than we help them. They continue to provide an increased understanding and appreciation for the incredible strength and perseverance of our neighbors and communities in which we live.”
Chuck West, President, Midwest Family Lending
ICYMI, here’s a recap!
Day 1 🎁 Derek Draisey | Eastern Iowa family w/a child battling a heart condition at UIHC Children’s Hospital
Derek Draisey, one of our home loan originators, nominated an Eastern Iowa family with a child battling a heart condition at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital to be today’s recipient. The child’s had many, long hospitalizations due to a complex medical situation, and the family doesn’t have much financial support.
The Draiseys know firsthand the challenges families like this face as their son Bryce was hospitalized there several times in the span of two years.
“We reached out to UIHC’s Child Life department because they have a special place in our heart,” Derek says. “When our family was spending a lot of time at the University of IA hospital, they were beyond amazing. They helped us through some of the hardest times in our lives.”
Day 2 🎁 Jean Holman | Lincoln, NE single mom of 3 living paycheck-to-paycheck w/no support & has been hit by “snowball” of challenges
Young Caucasian girl enjoying Christmas holiday
As the former head of the PTA in her school district, Jean Holman, our Lincoln Mortgage loan originator, knows a lot of local families are in need.
“I wanted someone who had children who went to Roper Elementary School because that’s my neighborhood and where my kids went to school,” Jean says. “I know there’s always someone in need at Roper, and it’s just been a snowball of things this family has faced.”
Jean nominated a single mother of three living paycheck-to-paycheck with no support. Within the last two years, her car broke down, requiring a new one, she’s been the victim of identity theft, and she lost income due to quarantining from contracting COVID.
“God is good — we’ve received so many blessings,” says the mother (who preferred to remain anonymous). “This just goes to show that there are great people here who care.”
Day 3 🎁 Marti Myer|Martensdale, IA family hit with COVID, father now fighting for his life
“This family’s had a lot of health issues thrown at them the past few months with COVID hitting the entire household,” says Marti, our processor. “With the father being in the hospital fighting for his life these past few months, it tugged on my heart. And I wanted to help them.”
Day 4 🎁 Hannah Vande Weerd | Des Moines single mom of 4 through Jeff Hill’s Future All-American Basketball Camp’s Holiday Giveaway
Hannah, our mortgage processing associate, reached out to Jeff Hill’s Future All-American Basketball Camp’s Holiday Giveaway to connect with the family she nominated. The organization provides Christmas gifts & food to Des Moines families in need. By her own family supporting the project in years past, Hannah’s seen firsthand the joy it brings, helping these families enjoy the holiday with “the things they’ve always wanted”.
“It’s amazing to see how these families may be struggling but are so humble with what they have,” Hannah says. “The family we supported this year is amazing and is so thankful for what this opportunity could mean for them. This SpreadCheer initiative helps families who are struggling to have a great Christmas.”
Day 5 🎁 Sara J. Fuller – Midwest Family Lending|Adel small-business owner (plumber) who, due to COVID, developed liver failure requiring many hospitalizations not covered by insurance
“Nate is a great, hard-working man who does a lot for the community,” Sara says. “As he was building his plumbing business, he and his wife got hit hard with COVID. This led to liver failure and lots of hospital stays for him not covered by insurance and time off work. They’re now left just trying to make ends meet. He is a very good guy that could use a break.”
Day 6 🎁 Kyle Guldenpfennig a.k.a #TallMoneyMan | Altoona Single mom of 3 who’s had a “rocky” year — husband walked out on family, reduced hours at work due to freak accident with child & renewed custody of child with special needs after 6 years
“I wanted to find a family in need in our community,” says Kyle aka #TallMoneyMan. one of our home loan originators with Team Chedester- Licensed Mortgage Originators. “And I knew that by reaching out to my church (High Pointe Church), I’d have the opportunity to continue to find ways to bless the family in the future. Desirae’s new to the church. But she’s already felt the love from many members of the congregation with all the donations, food and prayers she’s needed after everything she and her family have gone through this year.”
Grab your tissues for this heart-tugger, folks!….
“This year’s been rocky. I really want to say — and I’m a little choked up right now — but I just told my kids there probably won’t be a Christmas at our house this year,” Desirae said. “Your phone call has changed that, and I can’t help but cry. They are happy tears; I promise. Thank you!”
Day 7 🎁 Katie McIntyre | Spring Hill family scraping by to make ends meet, living in a camping trailer after home burned down on Valentine’s Day. Compounded by loss of income to the single-income household & one parent unable to work due to care needs of non-verbal, autistic child
“It’s hard to ask for or accept help; we’re usually the ones helping others,” Carrie Ivans says. “But the help we’ve gotten has been amazing.”
“I knew from my church (Crossroads Church – Norwalk) partnering with other churches in the area to support our local ministerial association’s Warrior Giving Project that many local families are in need,” says Katie McIntyre, our marketing director. “When my kids and I picked up a giftbox to help a family through the project with some items off their Christmas wish list, I felt a tug in my heart that I wished I could do more. And when I heard Carrie & Greg’s story, I knew it was a divine appointment to bless them and offer them a little hope to help them get through this season. I’m so grateful to work for a company that equips and inspires us all to give.”
Day 8 🎁 Josh Brandt |11-year-old Norwalk boy fighting aggressive bone cancer, discovered by football injury
Caleb Moranville is a 5th grader at Lakewood Elementary in Norwalk, IA. While playing football last fall, Caleb took a helmet to the knee, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The X-ray led to doctors discovering Caleb had osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, in his left femur.
“We’ve been in total shock since we got the diagnosis,” says Caleb’s mother, Katie Moranville. “But had he not gotten hurt, we might not have caught it before it spread.”
Josh Brandt, one of our mortgage loan originators with The Smith/Brandt Home Mortgage Team has known the Moranville family from their kids playing soccer together.
“As a parent, I can’t imagine the nightmare they’re going through. And I wanted to help around Christmas time,” Josh says. “Helping others around the holidays means so much to me, and knowing I work for a company that has the same beliefs is amazing.”
“The support from the community — everyone’s been amazing,” Katie continues. “We didn’t realize how much of an impact Caleb’s made on people. And we feel the love that everyone’s sending to him and to us. We’ve shown some strength that in a million years we never thought we’d have.”
Day 9 🎁 Molly M Maguire | Yale, IA family consumed w/care needs of children suffering from brittle bone disease & other health issues
Both of Christopher & Sara Carmichael’s children, ages 11 and 14, have Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease). And Jasmine also suffers from spina bifida, a bilateral club foot, bladder and bowel issues. Unfortunately due to COVID, the family hasn’t been able to rely on some of the non-profits it had in the past for support.
Both parents work as associates within the ADM school district to be close to their kids during the school day and home with them after school. That’s how Molly M Maguire, our mortgage loan originator who nominated the family for our #SpreadCheer project, knew what they’ve been going through.
“The whole family needs a break,” Molly says. “I hope this donation will help them to not think or worry about logistics, and maybe they can all relax as a family enjoying spending time together.”
Day 10 🎁 | Katie McIntyre | Indianola, IA family of 5 regrouping from lasting effects of tough year+ including loss, medical bills & Long COVID
Life has hit this family hard from every angle, intensifying the last year or so. Like many, 2020/2021 has affected their mental health, including attempted suicide and debilitating anxiety. They’ve taken on extra shifts & jobs to pay medical bills from a misdiagnosis and surgery for one of the parents as well as an emergency hospital stay and follow-up treatment for one of their teenage children.
As a CNA in a nursing home hit with nearly 50 residents who got COVID last year, one of the parents was forced to work overtime through getting the illness herself and see more than a dozen of her residents, with whom she’d developed friendships, die. This only complicated the grief she was experiencing from the recent losses of multiple close family members. Due to her continued struggles with the effects of Long COVID, she is part of a post-COVID clinic.
“Despite all this family has endured, they remain some of the most encouraging and positive people I know,” says Katie McIntyre, our marketing director. “They immediately came to mind when this SpreadCheer project was announced at work. Though just the messenger, dropping off their gift was one of the highlights of my Christmas season.”
While the financial support will certainly help, it’s more than that. It’s a sign of hope that there’s still good in this world for these families who need that as much as anything to keep going.
-Katie McIntyre, Marketing Director, Midwest Family Lending
Day 11🎁 – Taylor Fredrickson | Creston, IA single mom of 2 small children w/limited resources trying to keep up with going to school while caring for her kids
“I grew up with a single mom who worked hard to make every holiday, birthday, etc. special,” says Taylor Fredrickson, one of our home loan originators with Team Fuller. “Moms in general are superheroes. And my heart goes out to any parent in the position of trying to make ends meet. I love that we were able to help this mama give her kids an awesome Christmas.”
Day 12 🎁 | Mark Engleman| Des Moines single mother & Ruth Harbor alum who recently lost her job
From learning about Ruth Harbor Ministries as his #MFLCares charity last year, home loan originator Mark Engleman knew who to call to connect with a family in need of support.
Ann’s a single mother of a 2-year-old and a former resident of the local non-profit’s Mother-Child home in Carlisle, IA. Since graduating from the program, Ann’s kept in touch with her Ruth Harbor “family”. She often tells the staff how thankful she is for the opportunity to gain life skills and stability to be set up for success. She’s maintained steady employment and rented her own apartment. But, unfortunately, she lost her job right before Thanksgiving and is now actively seeking employment
“We all know how challenging it is to be a single parent. I’m grateful for the connection to Ann and Scarlett from Ruth Harbor through our MFLCares charity program,” Mark says. “It’s truly a gift to be able to bless a family in need like the DeBilios — especially at Christmas.”
Bonus Day! 🎁 | Curvin Larson through Pi515| 17-year-old West Des Moines student managing her household’s bills while maintaining a 4.0 GPA | & Des Moines mother of 4, including two children with autism, homeschooling due to the impacts of COVID-19
After founder & executive director Nancy Mwirotsi shared with us stories about some of the amazing families in Pi515, last month’s MFLCares charity, we couldn’t stop at 12 families. Curvin Larson, the mortgage loan originator/fulfillment coordinator with our #TeamChedester mortgage team who nominated the local non-profit for our program, followed up with Nancy to see if we could wrap a couple in support.
At just 17 years old, the 1st recipient had to take over managing and paying the household bills — all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“I’m so grateful for this. Four days before Christmas I hadn’t bought any gifts as the house and bills took priority,” the student said. “I’ve found Christmas isn’t really about getting everything you want; it’s really about being grateful for what you have. I’ve had to learn a lot this year and wasn’t even sure we’d be able to stay in our house at one point. But thankfully, we’ve figured it out, and this gift helped make the holiday a bit more special.”
Pi515 is making dreams come true for these students and has inspired the eldest daughter of our second recipient to “take initiatives and give back to her community.” Her mother shared, “It’s making her a better person, and that is right in line with this 12 days of Christmas initiative.”
“The opportunity to call these families and give them these gifts is a really special experience that’s hard to put into words,” Curvin says. “Getting to meet them and hear about the everyday trials and victories they’ve experienced is something that really stays with me. Meeting amazing people like these families in our community empowers me to show this community the same love and support that I’ve felt from the people here. It’s why I made Central Iowa my home and why I never want to leave.”
“We wish everyone, especially these SpreadCheer families, a very healthy and happy 2022.”
The countdown is on to make all the things come together and to cross off all our neverending lists. From shopping lists to holiday traditions checklists, we’re all doing our best to show our loved ones how much they mean to us (and to be sure we haven’t forgotten something or someone)!
The “most wonderful time of the year” can also be one of the most stressful. But this is especially so for families struggling with job loss, a death in the family, military deployment, a health crisis, etc.
Enter #SpreadCheer2021
Although the need is overwhelming, we’re are hoping to make the Christmas season a bit brighter for at least a few. Our team’s reached out to local schools, hospitals, churches, ministerial associations and other community groups to identify 12 families in need of support and a little hope in the second year of our “SpreadCheer” project.
This Christmas, we’re hoping to #SpreadCheer by donating to 12 local families in need throughout the 12 Days of Christmas.
Please watch our Facebook page daily, where we’ll share a bit about each family’s story. And we encourage you to do what you can to help others in need in your communities.
Josh Brandt, one of our home loan originators, nominated the Moranville family of Norwalk, Iowa. Their son Caleb 11 is courageously fighting bone cancer, which the family discovered last fall due to a sports injury. Watch our Facebook page to learn more about Caleb’s story and those of our other families.
“Many local families are facing a variety of hardships, which can feel magnified this time of year,” says Chuck West, president of Midwest Family Lending. “Although we would love to do more, we hope a little support will ease the burden for these families — especially during this season.”
Midwest Family Lending’s Curvin Larson presents Nancy Mwirotsi, founder & executive director of Pursuit of Innovation (Pi515) a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. Pi515 is MFLCares’ featured charity this month.
DES MOINES, Iowa – As many are counting down the days ‘til Christmas with chocolate, toys & even pet treats, it seems fitting our MFLCares charity for December creates opportunities for STEM (science, technology, engineering & math — hence, counting 😊) skills, work-based learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation for local, underserved youth.
Pursuit of Innovation (Pi515) challenges, inspires and teaches technology skills to students with potential. Through innovative programming, the local nonprofit empowers refugee and underserved youth to achieve success, garner influence and gain stability in their families and communities.
“We are excited to include another partner in our family of friends,” says Nancy Mwirotsi, founder & executive director of Pi515. “Thank you, Midwest Family Lending. Growing a community that shares our goals for making sure that kids have opportunities to excel is essential.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is meaningful to them. Curvin Larson, mortgage loan originator/fulfillment coordinator with our Team Chedester mortgage team nominated Pi515 after learning about its innovative impact from local news coverage.
“I was looking for a new kind of cause for us to support through our MFLCares program this year,” Curvin says. “And I loved what I’d seen and heard from Nancy about what they’re doing to change the lives of youth in our community. Working for another organization with a similar focus in the past has made me a believer in the real world impact of organizations like Pi515.”
About Pursuit of Innovation (Pi515)
Mwirotsi, a Kenyan immigrant, has dedicated her life to advocating for underrepresented individuals including refugees, young women and people of color. She believes success comes from opportunity. While helping refugee mothers in the community obtain jobs, she realized that their children needed support too. She understood these students could be the first in their families to complete high school or attend college. And she wanted to create a pathway for their success.
In 2014, her nonprofit Pursuit of Innovation (Pi515) was born. And seven years later, Nancy and Pi515 have seen more than 100 students graduate high school and seek post-secondary education annually. She has provided these youth with confidence and skills for the future. These skills start with an afterschool STEM education. And this develops into a personal relationship with each student, allowing them to garner influence and gain stability in their families and communities.
Giving Youth the {Code} to Succeed
Pi515’s vision is to ensure that Pi515 students are exposed to coding, innovation and critical thinking. Mwirotsi and her team hope to change lives by offering learning opportunities, exposing students to real-life skills and creating an environment that encourages determination to overcome problems.
This innovative non-profit creates pathways to success in STEM-related careers for diverse youth from low-income families. It does so by partnering with industry professionals who teach coding and other STEM-related skills augmented with career-focused soft skills. Industry professionals teach high school students and empower them to mentor and share these skills with middle school students. In turn, this prepares students for a future that includes continuing education and employment in Iowa’s growing tech sector.
“Work has shifted, and more so after the pandemic,” Mwirortsi says. “Current job listings indicate where things are going; most employers now require digital skills and automation to take over some jobs. We have been at the forefront of Tech-Ed innovation. Our model prepares kids for future work and out of poverty. We have seen 100 plus low-income young people get into college and careers each year.”
Pi515 is always looking for community members who share its mission and vision to serve local students. By offering your time and talents to Pi515, you can help challenge, inspire and teach technology skills to students with potential. And your time will help empower refugee and underserved youth to achieve success, garner influence and gain stability in their families and communities.
Pi515 is hosting its second Girls’ Entrepreneurship Summit through a partnership with John Pappajohn and John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. The six-week program will support and mentor young women ages 11-22 to make their business ideas a reality. They’ll learn how to start a business, create concepts, develop budgets, and business, financial and marketing skills.
MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares has supported this year.
The future of work is creating space to honor young people’s leadership. We will be driven by the desire to elevate young people to create, design and innovate to not just use future technology but build it.
Nancy Mwirotsi, founder & executive director of Pi515
Midwest Family Lending’s Jackie Ezell (center) presents Meribeth Haynes, board president and Nicole Berger, communications director, with the Urbandale Education Foundation a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program. The Urbandale Education Foundation is MFLCares’ featured charity this month.
URBANDALE, Iowa – We’re proud to have called Urbandale, Iowa “home” to our main office for 25 years. And we’re honored to support the Urbandale Education Foundation (UEF) with a $1500 donation as our featured charity this month through our MFLCares program.
“This donation means so much to our organization as it will help us fund much needed teacher grants in the Urbandale School District,” says Meribeth Haynes, board president of the Urbandale Education Foundation. “Those grants pay for things the teachers want to bring to their classroom but current budgets do not allow.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is meaningful to them. Jackie Ezell, our mortgage loan closer who is also an Urbandale resident, nominated UEF after seeing firsthand “how much these teachers take on” when her son was a student in the district.
“I chose the Urbandale Education Foundation because it takes care of one of our most precious commodities, our Urbandale teachers,” Jackie says. “I love the fact that UEF has been able to give out over $40,000 in teacher grants. It’s about time we take care of those who care and teach our kids!”
About The Urbandale Education Foundation (UEF) & How You Can Help
The Urbandale Education Foundation (UEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to enhancing the educational experience of all students in the Urbandale Community School District by funding projects and initiatives not supported within existing school budgets. Urbandale Dollars for Scholars & Urbandale Alumni Association are part of the UEF.
Donate to make a difference in the lives of Urbandale teachers and students!
UEF has established an endowment fund for building a living financial legacy in support of activities of the Urbandale Education Foundation including student scholarships, educator grants and alumni connections. Funds are spent as determined by the UEF Board of Directors. Contributions to the UEF Endow Iowa Fund are eligible for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit and limited to an annual distribution rate of 5%. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please click here and you will be taken to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines website to process your donation.
Fore! Calling all golfers:
Save the date for the annual UEF Alumni Golf Tournament, which will take place June 27, 2022. And help set up local students on the path for financial success.
All proceeds from this tournament support UEF’s mission and the Urbandale Alumni Association by providing needed funding for Urbandale teachers’ classroom grants and Urbandale seniors’ college scholarships!
“As I’m sure most people know, our schools are severely underfunded, and our teachers work tirelessly to bring learning into our classrooms that engage the students and enable them to be productive members of society,” Haynes says. “This year we were able to fund 20 classroom grants totaling over $16,000. Our group also works with Dollars for Scholars to fund college scholarships for Urbandale High School Seniors.”
Learn more here, and join us in helping UEF to make a positive difference in the lives of Urbandale students, educators & community members. Go J-Hawks!
MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares has supported this year.
“We know the need to support our students & educators will continue, and we appreciate donors like Midwest Family Lending who help make this possible!”
Meribeth Haynes, board president of the Urbandale Education Foundation
During this season of gratitude and always, all of us at Midwest Family Lending are beyond grateful for the opportunity to help our neighbors throughout Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado finance their homes and achieve the dream of homeownership.
Thank you to our customers, team, business partners and MFLCares charities for being part of our “family” throughout the last 25 years. It’s the people like you who make what we do what we love.
Sometimes words just can’t express our deep appreciation.
But really, “Thank you” from all of us at Midwest Family Lending…..
And thanks to everyone who was able to join us for our 25th anniversary celebration! It was so great to see so many of you.
For those of you who missed it, here’s footage from Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, including a message from our president:
We all have so much to be thankful for. One of those is to all of you who took time to vote for us as the best local mortgage company.
We’re delighted and honored to share that, thanks to you, we were again voted Best Local Mortgage Company in Urbandale Chamber of Commerce’s Best in Class Awards!
Wishing you and your family a home of your own, filled with warmth, fellowship and a feast to be remembered (even though we all know the kids will just eat the dinner rolls)! 😂
Midwest Family Lending has donated $1500 to the Martensdale Fire Association through the local mortgage company’s MFLCares program. Pictured from left to right: (Front row:) Martensdale Fire Department’s Jessica Smith, Rich Wheeldon and fire chief Scott Henson (Back row:) Wyndham Sellers, Dustin Reiland, Corbin Smith, Mike Pedersen, Steven Henson, David and Harrison Northwick
MARTENSDALE, Iowa – Martensdale Fire Association was our featured charity last month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program.
“As a volunteer fire and rescue department we rely on donations. This donation will help buy much needed supplies,” says Scott Henson, chief of Martensdale Fire Department. “Martensdale Fire Association greatly appreciates when people and businesses like Midwest Family Lending step up to support our efforts to be there for our community.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month that is important to them. Supporting local volunteer fire and rescue departments is “near and dear” to our processor Marti Myer’s heart, as her husband has served as a local volunteer firefighter for the past 14 years. She has seen firsthand the sacrifices these first responders make to serve their communities.
“The fire department is an important community asset, particularly in rural areas like ours,” Marti says. “In addition to fighting fires, these volunteers help with lift assistance, car accidents, ambulance presence at school sport functions and much more. Having them available when someone is in need of help is very important for each and every person living within Warren County. They’re passionate about helping others and giving back to our community, and they deserve our support.”
About Martensdale Fire Association & How You Can Help
Martensdale Fire Association is a nonprofit organization founded to support the volunteer firefighters of Martensdale and the Martensdale Fire Department. The Martensdale Fire department has 15 active members.
The association has hosted a chili dinner held in early March, for 60 years as a fundraiser. And donations are always appreciated.
“I wanted to give back to those who put their lives on the line to make a difference and help their neighbors when needed most,” Marti says. “These departments are always in need of donations, and I encourage all who are able to help in any way they can.”
MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares has supported this year.
“Some people run from problems. Others run to them.” Thank you, firefighters!
Flashback to 1996, The Year Midwest Family Lending Originated…
The No. 1 song was the “Macarena” (Good luck trying to get that out of your head now) — As if! 😉
The average cost of new house was $118K.
Americans were watching shows like E.R., Friends, Seinfeld, yadda yadda yadda (with commercials!).
Tickle Me Elmo was “all that and a bag of chips”. And due to the frenzy that led to supply shortages, the coveted toy couldn’t be found in stores. (Parents/Grandparents put on actual pants — not athleisure wear — and drove all around to stores that actually sold only toys then).
By playing game No. 2,131 Cal Ripkin broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive MLB game record.
Dolly the sheep became the first mammal to be successfully cloned.
(We’re still dreaming about how to clone our awesome home loan originators and mortgage office team. Check out this fun throwback video of our team in ’96)!
We’re celebrating 25 years of service, helping Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado residents finance their homes and achieve the dream of homeownership.
And because 25 years is A LOT of years – we’re having an Open House to celebrate this milestone.
Today’s the big day! We’d love for you to join!
We want this party to be a celebration of all things Midwest Family Lending, and YOU are a huge part of that! You make what we do what we love.
We also love taking any opportunity to use our platform, our voice, and our business to shine a light on those doing amazing work in our communities. So you’ll also have a chance to connect with a variety of organizations we support via our MFLCares program — organizations changing lives, making an impact and leading from the heart.
When: Swing by anytime TODAY! Thursday, Oct. 28, from 4-6:30 p.m. And we’ll be going live on Facebook with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce at 4:15 p.m. with remarks from Chamber leaders, Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg and our president. Can’t make it in person? We’d love for you to drop in virtually, wave/say “Hi” too!
Where: Our home office, located at 2753 99th Street, Urbandale, Iowa
What to expect: Family-centered fun including free family photo mini sessions, snacks and the chance to connect with some of the charities we’ve supported throughout the years through our MFLCares and #SpreadCheer programs.
Bring the fam, and swing by our open house to have your free photo taken just in time for Christmas card season!
Here’s a message from our president expressing our collective thanks for being part of our “family” throughout the last 25 years:
“Like any business, there have been ups and downs throughout the years. But we are stronger than ever thanks to a combination of an incredible team and the awesome communities we serve. It’s been our pleasure to serve these communities, and I am very thankful to be surrounded by incredible people inside and outside our office walls.”
Bryce Draisey fishing with family in April of 2010. Bryce’s memory and impact lives on through the foundation in his name, Bryce’s Warriors.
Bryce’s Warriors is our featured charity this month and has received a $1500 donation through our MFLCares program.
“The Bryce’s Warriors board members continue to be amazed at the generosity and kindness of Midwest Family Lending,” says Michelle Draisey with Bryce’s Warriors Foundation and mother of Bryce. “Due to Covid-19 and other circumstances, this will be the second year we are not able to hold our annual fundraising golf tournament. MFLCares’ donation guarantees that Bryce’s Warriors can continue to do what we do. We’re blessed to pass that generosity along to families of transplant children and those of Southeast Polk High School seniors in need of help as they head to college and start their journeys as adults.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Though each of the charities MFLCares supports throughout the year is meaningful to our team, Bryce’s Warriors Foundation holds a special significance. Bryce was the son of one of our loan officers, Derek Draisey and nephew of branch manager Mike Draisey. Bryce’s memory and impact lives on through the foundation in his name.
“There’s just too much going on in this world that we didn’t feel right going to businesses and individuals for donations,” Derek says. “I’m grateful to work for a company that supports the memory of our son while helping others in need in our community.”
About Bryce’s Warriors
Bryce’s Warriors Foundation supports the Bryce Draisey Memorial Dollars for Scholars scholarship fund, families of children waiting for and who have had heart transplants, Children’s Miracle Network and Iowa Donor Network. Funds raised through the Foundation also provide Thanksgiving meals to children and families in the PICU at University of Iowa Hospitals, as well as food and gas cards to those families in need while a child is living at the hospital. The Foundation is also looking into additional options to expand its assistance to families of transplant children.
Bryce Draisey was a happy and presumably healthy 11-year-old boy when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Over the next 2+ years, he endured several surgeries, including a heart transplant, rejection of his new heart, many hospital stays and many other health complications that arose during that time. Bryce endured all of this believing that each day is a new one and the trials, sadness, or anger that may have happened yesterday no longer matter today. He took his health problems seriously and complied with all of his doctors’ instructions, but he also took all of it in stride most of the time. Bryce just wanted to be a normal teenager who went to school and had fun with friends.
How You Can Help
The majority of Bryce’s Warrior’s funds are raised through its annual golf tournament, typically held each September. Though the event was not able to be held due to COVID-19 this year, you can still donate to help support the Foundation’s mission.
To donate, checks may be mailed to:
Bryce’s Warriors, Inc. PO Box 42131 Urbandale, IA 50323-3855
MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact. Check out our calendar to learn more about the great causes MFLCares has supported this year.
“It’s people and businesses like Midwest Family Lending that have enabled us to find new areas where we can make an impact in the lives of hospitalized children and their families while remembering Bryce.”
Derek Draisey, Bryce’s Warriors Foundation and father of Bryce
Midwest Family Lending is celebrating 25 years of helping our neighbors say “Yes”. Yes to dreams. Yes to goals. Yes to possibilities.
We’re holding an
Open House at our home office in Urbandale to celebrate this
milestone. And we’d love for you to join!
When:Thursday, Oct. 28, from 4-6:30 p.m. Where: Indoors & Outdoors at Midwest Family Lending’s home office, located at 2753 99th Street in Urbandale What: Family-centered fun including free family photo mini sessions, yard games, snacks and the chance to connect with representatives of some of the charities we’ve supported throughout the years through our MFLCares and #SpreadCheer programs
We hope to see you there!
Thanks to our customers, team, business partners and MFLCares charities for being part of our “family” throughout the last 25 years. You make what we do what we love.
