2009 Ice Cream Social

Twenty years is a long time. That's how long IRIS and its volunteers have provided reading services to the blind and print handicapped of Iowa. Volunteers, listeners, board members, folks from the Iowa Department for the Blind and political leaders - more than 80 in number - joined together August 27th at AIB College of Business to celebrate, and enjoy ice cream and goodies.

Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell congratulated the organization for its volunteer work, and Jule Reynolds, disabilities coordinator from the office of Senator Tom Harkin read greetings from the Senator. The Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind, Karen Keninger also joined in the festivities, along with a delegation of students from the Department's Orientation Center.
Residents from Wesley Acres came, as several listeners sought out their favorite readers.

This year's winners of the fabulous engraved IRIS flower vase for meritorious service are:

-Darlene Eischeid accepted the vase for her late husband
Jerry, a long time volunteer.
-Eileen Bowerman
-Dave Saurman
-Steve Eckhardt
-John Thompson
-Linda Lundgren

Thanks to all those who helped make the Ice Cream Social
possible - looking forward to next year!

Senator Harkin visits IRIS!

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) stopped by the IRIS office Sunday August 2nd to say hello and read a few news stories from The Des Moines Sunday Register. Greeting him were Board members Mary Ann Nielsen and Jo Slayton, volunteers Steve and Jeanette Eckhardt, Doug Chew and Susan Ford, and staff members Rob Davis, Sasha Djordjevic and Robert Nielsen.

Thanks, Senator Harkin !

From left to right: IRIS Board chair Mary Ann Nielsen, volunteer Susan Ford, Senator Tom Harkin, volunteer Doug Chew, IRIS Board member Jo Slayton, IRIS Director Rob Davis, IRIS Administrative Assistant Sasha Djordjevic