Midwest Family Lending Blog

DES MOINES, Iowa – Bryce’s Warriors Inc. is our featured charity for the month of September and has received a $1500 donation through Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to MFLCares for their generosity in donating to our small foundation,” says Michelle Draisey, mother of Bryce and co-founder of Bryce’s Warriors Inc. “We know there are so many deserving charities in the community doing good in so many ways. It makes us so proud to be able to take this donation and give it to those families who may be going through some of the challenges our family went through.”

Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending team members nominate charities they would like to support. Derek Draisey Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator, along with his wife Michelle, are the founders of Bryce’s Warriors Inc. They established this foundation to keep their son, Bryce’s memory alive after he passed away in 2010.

Bryce’s Warriors Inc. holds a special significance to the Midwest Family Lending Family. Bryce is the son of loan officer Derek Draisey, and nephew of branch manager Mike Draisey. Bryce’s memory and impact lives on through Bryce’s Warriors, Inc.

About Bryce’s Warriors

The money raised by Bryce’s Warriors goes to seniors graduating from Southeast Polk High School through Dollars for Scholars (Bryce Draisey Memorial Scholarship). Bryce’s Warriors Inc. also gives back to the foundations that were so helpful to Bryce and his family, such as Iowa Donor Network, Children’s Miracle Network, and others. In addition, they cater Thanksgiving dinner every year at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. They also provide gas and food cards to families of children who have received or are waiting for a heart transplant.

Remembering Bryce

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.

Bryce was proud to spread his story to as many people as he could to create awareness for organ donation. In doing this, he also spread a story of love, courage, and forgiveness that all who knew him will remember.

“Derek and I started Bryce’s Warriors, Inc in memory of our son,” said Michelle. “Bryce and our family received so much support during his journey not only from his healthcare providers but from our families, our community, and sometimes even perfect strangers. We wanted to pay it forward in hopes of keeping Bryce’s memory alive and helping others.”

How You Can Help

The majority of Bryce’s Warrior’s funds are raised through its annual golf tournament held in August. If you’d like to support Bryce’s Warriors and make an impact on families in the midst of a medical crisis you can still donate!

To donate, you can Venmo or send a check!

Checks can be sent to:

Bryce’s Warriors Foundation
9237 Diamondhead Dr
Dexter, IA 50070

MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and making positive community impact. Through MFLCares, we support and promote central Iowa charities. Check out our calendar to learn about the incredible organizations we’ve recently supported that are making a positive impact in our communities!

“Bryce continues to live through us, through Bryce’s Warriors, through all who donate, and through those who benefit from the donations.”

MICHELLE DRAISEY, MOTHER OF BRYCE, AND CO-FOUNDER OF BRYCE’S WARRIORS.

The home improvement shows make it look SO easy. Shiplap. Barn doors. Bamboo floors. More shiplap. And who wouldn’t want to take a sledgehammer to the kitchen cabinets that haven’t been fashionable since before disco died?

But take a deep breath before you hit the lumber yard. Some projects can be easily tackled on your own, while others should be left to the professionals. How do you know when to call in the experts? Here’s a handy chart to help you choose the right option, no matter the project.

The Case for DIY

A lot of projects that add value and livability to a home just require time and effort, not a particular expertise. And with the proliferation of DIY videos on social media, odds are good you can find step-by-step instructions to change out a bathroom faucet or install window treatments. The most reasonable approach is to ask yourself a simple question before diving in: “What’s the worst that can happen?”

If the answer is, “That curtain rod won’t be perfectly level” or “It will take multiple tries to balance this ceiling fan,” you’re probably safe to proceed. In some cases, the worst-case scenario is that you’ll eventually have to bring in a pro to fix something you did incorrectly.

But if the worst-case scenario is “Faulty wiring could burn the house down” or “Breaking a pipe could mean damaged drywall, carpet, and floorboards,” you’re better off hiring a professional right off the bat.

The Case for Hiring a Pro

Plumbers and electricians go through years of specialized training, apprenticeship, and licensing exams. They are experienced in navigating permitting processes (if required), and they are equipped with the staffing and equipment to handle complex jobs. They should also carry insurance to compensate you if a job goes wrong. (Check before you hire!) Roofers are similarly licensed and insured, and they likely have more experience maneuvering on rooftops than you do.

Which brings up another point: If the worst-case scenario ends in a trip to the emergency room and possibly a lengthy physical recovery, you’re better off trusting a pro.

Of course, sometimes it makes sense to hire a professional regardless of your ability to complete a project. Some projects are messy, time consuming, or both, or they may require you to buy tools you’ll never use again. Bottom line: Don’t feel bad about bringing in outside expertise so you can spend time on things you enjoy more.

Give us a call (515)252-7107 or shoot us a message Midwest Family Lending Corp.