We’re surrounded by signs that fall has arrived! The leaves are turning brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow, and pumpkin spice flavored everything (seriously, everything — even dog treats!) has hit the store shelves. While you’re enjoying all the splendors fall has to offer, it’s also time to get your home ready for winter!
Cross these easy seasonal maintenance items off your to do list. Then cuddle up under your fave blanket or next to the fire, and enjoy the season:
Schedule a service call to make sure your furnace, chimney and fireplace are in working order so they’ll be ready when you need them.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries, and be sure to always keep extra batteries on hand.
Add weatherstripping and door sweeps to any drafty areas to keep your heating bill low.
Drain all outdoor faucets and disconnect garden hoses from outside spigots to help keep water from freezing and prevent burst pipes.
Seal cracks in your concrete driveway or patio to prevent water from seeping in, which can then freeze, expand and cause the crack to grow. Fixing small cracks before temperatures fall can help prevent more expensive repairs down the road.
Rake leaves (be sure to jump in the pile to fully experience the joys of the season with childlike wonder!)
Aerate and seed your yard to prep it for looking its best come spring.
Prep your snow blower, and you’ll be thanking yourself once the first big storm hits!
Fall’s also a great time of year to start saving up for Christmas gifts, spring vacations, etc. Have you checked with our team to see how much you could be saving by refinancing? Or maybe it’s time to buy a new home to make new fall memories in? We’re here for you! Happy Fall, Y’all!
Midwest Family Lending branch manager Mike Draisey presents Michelle Draisey with Bryce’s Warriors Foundation a $2020 donation through the local mortgage company’s MFLCares program.
Bryce’s Warriors is our featured charity this month and has received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program.
“We’re so grateful to Midwest Family Lending for this very generous donation,” says Bryce’s Warriors Foundation’s Michelle Draisey. “It will go a long way in helping Bryce’s Warriors accomplish our mission of assisting transplant families and providing scholarships.”
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.
“I’m grateful to work for a company that supports the memory of our son and keeps helping us raise funds to help other transplant families and high school seniors in need in our community,” Derek says. “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 these children and their families while remembering Bryce.”
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 an annual golf tournament typically held each September. Unfortunately, like many charity events this year, the Foundation made the difficult decision not to hold the event due to COVID-19. Thus, donations are more important than ever to help support the Foundation’s mission.
“We will still be donating to our favorite organizations that helped us so much while Bryce was sick as well as to provide scholarships to seniors in need in our community,” Michelle says. “And if the hospital will allow, we will still be catering Thanksgiving dinner to the PICU as well. We’re also looking at different ways to expand our assistance to families of transplant kiddos.”
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.
Our hearts are full; as due to the strange and difficult time we are in, Midwest Family Lending’s generosity may make an even bigger impact than ever before.”
Michelle Draisey, Bryce’s Warriors Foundation and mother of Bryce
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator Kyle Guldenpfennig, CVLS (pictured left) presents a $2020 donation on behalf of Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program to Anna Magnusson, (right) executive director of Iowa Able Foundation.
Iowa Able Foundation is our featured charity this month and has received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to support the local non-profit’s mission to help people of all abilities become financially independent.
“The Iowa Able Foundation is not only proud and honored to have been selected as the cause of the month for MFLCares in August, but we also greatly appreciate that Midwest Family Lending supports its team members giving of their time and talents to nonprofit organizations,” says Anna Magnusson, executive director of Iowa Able Foundation. “It means so much to our team that Midwest Family Lending is a partner in serving Iowans who need financial assistance to acquire the products and services required to achieve independence.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Kyle Guldenpfennig, CVLS, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending, nominated Iowa Able Foundation. Kyle is the Foundation’s executive board secretary. He was looking to get involved in the community and a mutual friend connected him with Anna. He was inspired to join Iowa Able Foundation because of the impact his late aunt’s work as a special education teacher for preschoolers had on him.
“I nominated the Iowa Able Foundation for the MFLCares program because of the hard work and dedication I’ve seen demonstrated daily in moving the mission and its members forward to support people with all abilities in communities around the state,” Kyle says. “With a personal connection to someone who gave her life to supporting the disability community, I felt a strong urge to connect with and give back to those who need our support the most!”
About Iowa Able Foundation
The Iowa Able Foundation is a statewide non-profit organization that helps people of all abilities become financially independent by providing solutions to financial needs and empowering them to achieve their financial goals.
Throughout the past 25 years the Foundation has been dedicated to developing a highly effective model that moves Iowans from a place of financial insecurity to empowerment through its Financial Solutions and Financial Empowerment programs.
Iowa Able Foundation provides immediate, short-term financial relief. Its Financial Solutions program focuses on getting Iowans the immediate financial relief they need to achieve independence. This relief can come in the form of a traditional, credit builder or forgivable loan. The Foundation currently offers the following loan products:
Home Modification
Vehicle Modification
Assistive Technology
Service Animal
Credit Builder
Iowa Able Foundation also helps Iowans achieve long-term financial stability. Its financial empowerment program focuses on helping Iowans gain the financial skills, knowledge and habits they need to maintain independence. Iowa Able coaches work one-on-one with Iowans to establish and follow personalized plans centered around long-term financial goals. Its model is specifically designed to benefit those who need it most.
What’s New
The financial impact of COVID-19 has hit the disabled community particularly hard. Many Iowans with disabilities are not able to afford equipment that is essential for independent living, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, vehicle or home modifications, prosthetics and more.
To ensure access to all, earlier this summer Iowa Able Foundation began piloting expanded loan options and lowered interest rates in Black Hawk, Polk and Story Counties. Those with the least ability to pay are given the lowest interest rates. Interest rates range from 0-4 percent for loan applicants who participate in the financial education program, which includes coaching services.
Expanded loan options mean more needs can be met. In addition to providing loans for disability-assistance equipment, loans are available to Iowans with disabilities for home or vehicle repair, vehicle purchase, service animals, educational needs, and equipment for self-employment.
“Everyone should care about what Iowa Able Foundation is doing because everyone knows someone who uses assisted technology – be it a hearing aid, wheelchair, etc. And none of us know what the future holds; we may need it too.”
-Kyle Guldenpfennig, CVLS, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending,
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 pandemic has only increased the need for our assistance. Because Midwest Family Lending cares about our community, together we can increase access to financial resources to enrich the lives of Iowans who need our help.”
-Anna Magnusson, Executive Director of Iowa Able Foundation
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator Mike Draisey (pictured left) presents a $2020 donation on behalf of Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program to Patty Sneddon-Kisting, (right), executive director of the Urbandale Food Pantry.
The Urbandale Food Pantry is one of our featured charities of 2020 and has received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to provide local food assistance with dignity and compassion.
“The Urbandale Food Pantry is truly grateful for being selected as a recipient of Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program — especially this year,” says Patty Sneddon-Kisting, executive director of the Urbandale Food Pantry. “We have been working hard to ensure families have access to food. We’ve increased our food rescue program, have seen a record number of new families visiting the pantry and have taken many precautions to prioritize the safety of our staff, volunteers, and families.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Mike Draisey, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending, nominated Urbandale Food Pantry, recognizing the increased need due to the pandemic.
“With so many impacted by COVID-19 and the large numbers of job loss, food pantries have been on the front lines supporting our communities through these tough times,” Mike says. “I wanted to donate to a local organization that could help as many in need as possible. And it was important to me to give back to the community that has treated us so well for the more than 20 years we’ve had our main office here.”
According to Feeding America, a network of nationwide food pantries, from March through the end of June, food banks across the nation distributed more than 1.9 billion meals. The network estimates that 1 in 6 Americans could face hunger as a result of the pandemic and that more than 50,000 people in Polk County identify as food insecure.
About the Urbandale Food Pantry
The Urbandale Food Pantry is a collaborative community effort to reach out to its neighbors to provide food assistance with dignity and compassion. The Pantry is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization that partners with the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), Hunger Free Polk County, the Urbandale Ministerial Alliance, local churches, civic organizations, city and county officials and area residents to provide supplemental food for those with need in Polk County.
Since opening in 2008, the average number of individuals served per month has steadily grown. Since the Urbandale Food Pantry began serving residents throughout Polk County in 2016, it has doubled the amount of clients it serves each month.
Who They Serve
The Urbandale Food Pantry offers food to anyone who needs it in Polk County – no questions asked. It provides customized meals to each family’s size and specific dietary needs, including fresh bread and produce (when available) and a wide selection of refrigerated and frozen foods. And the Pantry goes beyond providing food to families in need. It also offers basic hygiene products to empower its clients to live lives with dignity and confidence.
Volunteers are the foundation of the Urbandale Food Pantry, keeping the shelves stocked, walking alongside clients to find food, traveling around Polk County picking up donations, and serving as the face of the Pantry. Click here to learn how you can help.
“It is through generous community support like that from Midwest Family Lending that we are able to continue the great work the Urbandale Food Pantry is doing.”
-Patty Sneddon-Kisting, executive director of the Urbandale Food Pantry
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.
Pictured from left to right: Eric, Mark and Bill Smith at HDSA Iowa’s 2015 Team Hope Walk. The Smiths have raised both awareness and dollars for HDSA Iowa in hopes of one day finding a cure for the disorder that has affected them deeply.
Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Iowa Chapter is our featured charity this month and has received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to help individuals affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD) and their families through support and services.
“HDSA Iowa has a longstanding, strong relationship with Midwest Family Lending,” says Andrea Bauer, president of Huntington’s Disease Society of America – Iowa Chapter. “We appreciate the compassionate employees at MFLC who truly want to support the community and well-being of the residences. We feel part of the MFLC Family.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Eric Smith, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending, nominated Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Iowa Chapter (HSDA). The Smiths have raised both awareness of and dollars for HDSA Iowa in hopes of one day finding a cure for the disorder that has affected them deeply.
“I nominated HDSA Iowa because my brother Bill has HD, and my brother Mark passed away from complications of HD last month,” Eric says. “It’s a genetic disorder that my siblings and children have a 50/50 chance of getting. We want to raise awareness and money for this organization so they can continue to support families with HD and one day find a cure.”
About HDSA Iowa
HD is a fatal genetic disorder that deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities, usually during their prime working years. It’s described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s simultaneously.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) is “the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease”. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington’s disease and their families.
Its mission is:
To help individuals affected by Huntington’s Disease and their families through support and services
To educate both the public and health care professionals about Huntington’s Disease
To promote and support research directed at discovering a treatment and ultimately a cure for Huntington’s disease.
Living with Huntington’s Disease
A recent ABC News story featuring two families affected by Huntington’s disease depicting what it’s like to live with HD.
Saturday, August 29: Crusin’ for a Cureis a classic car/motorcycle tour to help bring awareness to Huntington’s Disease.
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.
“While there is still no cure for HD, today there’s more hope than ever that we can beat this disease. Until then, our chapter strives to support our HD families, knowing that while research provides hope for the future, we must care for our HD community today.”
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator Molly Maguire (pictured right) presents a $2020 donation on behalf of Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program to Kellie Markey (left), founder and executive director of Dorothy’s House.
Dorothy’s House is our featured charity this month and has
received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used
in support of the local non-profit’s mission to provide a safe place for human
trafficking and exploitation survivors.
“Being selected by Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares Program is continued evidence that this community believes we need to provide services to survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation in Iowa,” says Kellie Markey, founder and executive director of Dorothy’s House. “This extremely generous gift will be used to continue to subsidize housing for three of our participants for an extra month. We are very grateful to continue offering this service to our survivors.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate
and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Molly
Maguire, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending,
nominated Dorothy’s House after a close friend told her about local human
trafficking.
“Like many, I wasn’t aware that Central Iowa is a hot spot due to the 80/35 corridor,” Molly says. “I wanted to learn more and help bring awareness to this troubling and largely unnoticed crime.”
About Dorothy’s House
Dorothy’s House is a long-term,
residential home that provides sex trafficking survivors with the space,
resources and support needed to find their healing journey. Located in a
beautiful home environment, girls have a chance to rediscover the person they
were born to become. Dorothy’s House has partnered with several community
members and organizations to provide a wide range of services to help them
manage their trauma triggers. Through providing basic needs within a secure home
environment, they are given the opportunity to recover their bodies, hearts,
souls, voices and dreams.
Comprehensive Care
Every survivor has a
unique set of needs and personal goals. Dorothy’s House strives to offer
resources specific to each care plan including:
Physical Health Care
Mental Well Being
Medication Support
Legal/Financial Support
Life/Job skills & training
Relationship skills
Community Engagement
Inside the front room of this beautiful home where human trafficking survivors are given the opportunity to recover their bodies, hearts, souls, voices and dreams.
What’s New
Dorothy’s House will begin taking new participants again post-pandemic in July. Later this year the program will also begin serving all survivors of human trafficking and exploitation, including men, gender non-binary, those who have custody of their minor children, and labor trafficking survivors both residentially and non-residentially. Dorothy’s House will also continue to work toward building its second residential program in Des Moines with hopes of completion during the first half of 2021.
“For five years, we have been dedicated to providing a safe place for the practice of life for those whose lives have been interrupted by this terrible crime in our communities,” Markey says. “We look forward to expanding our services not only to young women but all survivors of human trafficking in Iowa.”
How You Can Help
Donate
Dorothy’s House is a 501c3 that depends on community contributions for operational support. In addition to financial contributions, current needs include:
Access to home building materials (siding, roofing, flooring, fixtures, cabinetry, countertops, drywall, paint etc.) or skills that would help offset our costs, please let us know at info@dorothyshouse.org.
Gift Cards (grocery, retail, coffee shops, craft stores, etc.)
Laundry/Dishwasher pods
Light bulbs
Batteries
Gently used home furnishings/accessories (inquire at info@dorothyshouse.org)
Volunteer
Faithful volunteers make the mission happen at Dorothy’s House. Please follow this link to submit an application and background check approval to get started. Be sure to note what talents you might like to share including:
Lawn/garden care
Window Washing
Tutoring
Mentorship
Legal Support
Hair/Personal Care
Dental Care
Chiropractic Care
Massage Therapy
Alternative Therapy
Exercise/self-defense/yoga
Arts & Crafts
Cooking Lessons
Outings/special events
Financial Management
Education
Writing/Journaling, and/or Scrapbooking
Touches of “Dorothy”/The Wizard of Oz may be found throughout the home
What’s Human Trafficking and What Can You Do About It?
The National Human Trafficking Hotline defines human trafficking as “a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.”
In 2016, Des Moines was named one of the top 100 human trafficking sites in the U.S. by the Polaris Project, the nonprofit that runs the Hotline.
Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
Unexplained absences from class
Overly tired in class
Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out
Brags about making or having lots of money
Less appropriately dressed than before or new expensive clothes, accessories or shoes
New tattoo (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)
“If you see something, say something.”
National Human Trafficking Hotline ◆ 1-888-373-7888
If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation: Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888: Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking.
“Dorothy’s House is creating a safe and nurturing environment for a cause that is truly devastating,” Molly says. “It’s such a powerful program to rehabilitate and help young women recover from the resulting trauma.”
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.
“Dorothy’s House success has flourished on the knowledge that individuals, companies, foundations and organizations have all agreed that human trafficking in Iowa is a problem we must fight and be ready to serve its victims and survivors.”
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator Linden Heikens presents Chad Keller, treasurer, Nancy Korkow, secretary, and Brad Engbarth, fire chief with Canistota Fire & Rescue a $2020 donation on behalf of Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program.
CANISTOTA, South Dakota – Canistota Fire & Rescue was our featured charity last month and has received a $2020 donation through our MFLCares program. The funds will be used to purchase supplies for which the department says it has seen an increased demand in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“As an all volunteer fire and rescue department we rely on donations,” says Chad Keller, Canistota Fire & Rescue treasurer. “We are thankful to Midwest Family Lending for this donation, as it will help buy much needed supplies — especially during this time.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Linden Heikens, licensed mortgage loan originator with Midwest Family Lending, nominated the local fire department because he wanted to support those on the frontlines in a community where many of his clients reside.
“I wanted to give back to those who serve the same community we do and who put their lives on the line to make a difference and help their neighbors when needed most,” Linden says. “These departments are always in need of donations, and I encourage all who are able to help in any way they can.”
About Canistota Fire & Rescue & How You Can Help
Canistota Fire & Rescuse is a volunteer fire department comprised of 18 men and women who serve this South Dakota community.
Donations for Fire Department can be mailed to: PO Box 367 Canistota, SD 57012
“Some people run from problems. Others run to them.”
Thank you, firefighters!
About MFLCares
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.
Seeking experienced administrative go-getter for Mortgage Processor Associate opening
Position Summary
The position will work in collaboration with our Processor to provide administrative support to process mortgage loan applications and do what it takes each day to create customers for life.
Position Accountabilities
• Answer, screen and forward multiple phone lines with high call volumes • Proactively review and prioritize pipeline in order to meet anticipated commitment dates • Review credit, income, asset documentation, transcripts, title, appraisals and other required documentation • Work with underwriter to resolve outstanding conditions • Obtain missing information and/or correct inaccurate documentation such as bank statement, W-2s, tax returns, paystubs, credit reports, etc. • Contact employers to perform Verbal Verifications of Employment • Enter data into Calyx Point • Maintain confidentiality while processing loans and communicating with involved parties
Qualifications and Skill Requirements
• High school diploma required • Mortgage or financial services industry experience preferred but not required • Highly organized with strong attention to detail • Excellent time management skills with a proven record of effectively prioritizing workflow and multitasking • Exceptional verbal and written communication and customer service skills, including experience answering telephones • Strong keyboarding and computer skills, including Microsoft products with the ability to learn work-related software • Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team • Professional demeanor, positive attitude and resourceful • Experience with Calyx Point desirable, but not required • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Job Type Full Time, in office Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Candidate may be required to perform other duties to meet ongoing needs of the company.
Interested candidates should apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to Katie McIntyre at katiem@midwestfamilylending.com.
About Midwest Family Lending
For nearly 25 years, Midwest Family Lending has been committed to making a positive impact within the communities it serves and to creating customers for life. Midwest Family Lending Corporation is locally owned and operated and has been helping people throughout Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota achieve their housing goals since 1996. Whether it’s the purchase of a dream home, or the refinance for an existing home, Midwest Family Lending stands alone in customer service and options available. Offering the most innovative and flexible programs in the industry, its customers receive solutions that work specifically for their needs. The team of trusted and licensed mortgage professionals has extensive experience in Conventional, VA, USDA and FHA mortgage lending. This experience, coupled with honesty, integrity and a sincere desire to build a relationship with its customers has established Midwest Family Lending as a preferred mortgage lender.
With COVID-19 driving widespread closures of our nation’s schools, many parents are facing new obstacles that they hadn’t anticipated. While this looks different for everyone, many families are now challenged to deliver remote learning instruction to their children or keep kids occupied while juggling the demands of their job.
As the novelty of this “new normal” wears off, you may be starting to hear, “What are we doing today?” or the dreaded, “I’m bored.” Maybe you’re on your fourth puzzle or craft project of the week and looking for a new way to keep your kids’ minds engaged and active.
With April being Financial Literacy Month, why not propose an activity that is educational and fun? You might even learn something new yourself.
Here are 4 grade-level appropriate ideas to get you started:
Needs vs. Wants Scavenger Hunt (grades K-6)
“Do I need that?” This is a question we often ask ourselves when our Amazon cart reaches triple-digit totals. We can all agree on our basic needs — things like food, water, clothing, and shelter, but when it comes to the things we want, this won’t be the same for everyone. At any age, it is important to determine needs, identify wants, and find a way to fit both into your budget, while also setting aside money for emergencies. For this activity:
Ask your child to collect 10-15 items around the house and then determine if each item is a need or a want. You can even use sticky notes to label each object.
Once the items are labeled, have a discussion about why that item is a necessity or just “nice to have.”
Optional bonus question: You find a $100 bill on the street. What should you choose to spend this money on? Hint: Always make sure your needs are taking priority. That new tech gadget or toy may be cool, but it is important to have food, clothing, water, and shelter first!
Hopefully, this activity will help your child put into perspective some of the things we take for granted, while also teaching a critical and foundational Financial Capability skill.
Myth vs. Fact (grades 4-7)
When it comes to facts about finance, it can be tough to sift through the myths and identify what is true. Read the following statements out loud to test your child’s financial savviness. Can they identify which statements are myths and which are facts? Ask them to explain their reasoning and then lead a discussion about why the statement is true or false.
For example, “Sharing personal information (e.g. social security number) with friends is okay. Myth! Personal information like social security numbers, bank account information, etc. should be kept private. Always talk to a trusted adult before you share any personal information, especially when online.”
Healthy people don’t need health insurance. Myth
Paying with cash helps you avoid overspending. Fact
There is no difference between a savings account and a certificate of deposit (CD). Myth
People who earn paychecks pay sales tax. Myth
Credit is a form of borrowing. Fact
A salary is paid over a set period of time, and a wage is paid by the hour. Fact
Sharing personal information (e.g. social security number) with friends is okay. Myth
The best way to get the most of your money is to create a budget. Fact
Create Your Own Food Truck (grades 7-10)
Encourage your child to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test as they work to build their own food truck business! Creating your own food truck business takes more than just brainstorming taco toppings or creating a logo. A lot of thought needs to go into your plan and strategy. Use the guiding questions below to set the [food truck] wheels in motion and then challenge your child to present a business plan pitch using the optional prompt.
What type of food will your food truck sell?
Where will you park your food truck?
Who is your target audience? (demographics, geographics, buying patterns, etc.)
What is your food truck name? How do you plan to market and promote your food truck?
How is your food truck unique and a better choice than your competitors?
How much do you think it will cost to produce one menu item (on average)?
How much do you want to add to the price on the menu in order to cover overhead costs (gas, permits, employee payroll) in order to make a profit?
Optional prompt: Create a business pitch - a quick description of your business that you use to explain it to customers and investors. The goal is to be clear and concise and to get your point across in just a few minutes.
Investing and the News (grades 9-12)
There might be a toilet paper shortage right now, but there is certainly no shortage of information on local and national news outlets. These days it is safe to say that every time we turn on the TV or pick up our phone, we are inundated with headlines. Have you ever considered the ripple effect that these news updates have on various industries? Why not take this opportunity to foster a conversation around investing and the news?
Work with your child to choose 5-10 headlines in the news.
Reflect on how this headline impacted/will impact various industries in the stock market and if this current event will increase or decrease the total stock price. Try to use context clues within the headline to make your best guess on what markets would be positively and negatively impacted by the reality of the headline.
Optional prompt: If you had $1,000 and could buy stock – which company would you invest in and why? Would you choose to invest in just one company or several (i.e. diversification)?
Did you enjoy these activities? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #RemoteLearning and #TeachFromHome.
This blog content was created in partnership with EVERFI. Midwest Family Lending is a member of EVERFI’s Financial Capability Network, and we are proud to deliver critical financial education to our communities.
Pictured from left to right: Charlie Chedester, CRMS, CVLS & Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator with Midwest Family Lending presents Chris Dahl, executive director of Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp with a $2020 donation through Midwest Family Lending’s MFLCares program at the camp located in Story City, Iowa.
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp (Riverside)
is MFLCares’ March charity and has received a $2020 donation through Midwest
Family Lending’s MFLCares program. The funds will be used in support of the
nonprofit’s work to provide “a community and a family that builds people up for
Christian leadership.”
“We’re so grateful for the incredibly generous gift from Midwest Family Lending,” says Chris Dahl, executive director of Riverside. “The ministry of Riverside provides safe, fun, life-changing, Christ-centered camp experiences for thousands of people each year throughout the state of Iowa and beyond. This generous gift helps us continue to provide excellent camp experiences and the ability for us to offer over $70,000 in camperships each year.”
Through MFLCares, Midwest Family Lending employees nominate and select one cause a month to support that is dear to their hearts. Charlie Chedester, CRMS, CVLS & Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator with Midwest Family Lending nominated Riverside because of the positive impact its various camps and retreats have had on his family.
Check out this video of our own Charles D. Chedester CRMS, CVLS & Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator and his family announcing our March #MFLCares charity, Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp!
“We’re very excited to support Riverside and are a big proponent of their family camp,” says Charlie Chedester, CRMS, CVLS & Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator with Midwest Family Lending. “We really like going and hanging out—just us—not having cell phones & other typical distractions. We enjoy all the things they have for together time, game time and learning a lot about each other. Jennie and I have also been to their annual marriage retreat, and it’s just a lot of fun. Check them out; it’s one of my family’s favorite places.”
Where a strong connection isn’t about Wi-Fi
Riverside provides a positive environment for kids and adults alike to unplug and connect with what matters most. More than 150 churches from IA, NE, IL, MN and WI call the 76-year-old camp “home”, as well as a growing number of non-Lutheran churches and businesses that hold retreats on the beautiful property.
“It’s pretty incredible to see 240 kids who don’t have screens and are forced to interact,” Dahl says. “The first day is a little challenging and is actually tougher on moms and dads than the kids. But then the value we’ve heard from parents and families is huge. We often hear, ‘My kid came back a different person.’
How You Can Help
Upcoming Events
Summer Camp (June through early August). Visit www.riversideLBC.org for information and dates
Family Camp: June 28-July 1
Riverside 5K and Quilt Auction: August 1
Riverside Fall Golf Classic: September 18
Women’s Retreat: September 25-27
Fall Youth Recharge Weekend Events: October-November
Non-profit organizations like Riverside need financial support now more than ever to support their missions. Help Riverside continue to offer more than $70,000 in camperships for those who can’t afford them and ensure no one turned away.
“Camp is the place where I feel most loved”
Camper comment
Volunteer
It takes a village to serve the near 3000 kids reached through Riverside’s programs each year as well as to care for the grounds and its 30 horses year-round. The camp will gladly accept your gifts, talents and prayers! Here’s a full list of ideas of how to help.
About #MFLCares
MFLCares is a program of Midwest Family Lending, a local mortgage company committed to creating customers for life and to community impact.
“Thank you for giving toward changing lives for the better in central Iowa!”
