Keep Iowa Beautiful and Yo-Ho Tools grant

Keep Iowa Beautiful and Iowa tool manufacturer Yeoman & Company have

announced the awards for the Yo-Ho Tools for a More Beautiful Iowa grant program. This is the first year of the program for community groups and organizations to receive grants of up to $200 in Yo-Ho quality hand tools to assist volunteers in clean up and beautification projects in their communities. Yo-Ho Tools have been manufactured by Yeoman & Company in Monticello, Iowa for over 85 years. William F. Yeoman founded the company in 1929 and his grandson, Tom Yeoman, President & CEO, now leads the company that manufactures nearly 400 standard and custom quality tools. More information is available at www.yo-ho.com

Keep Iowa Beautiful was established in 2000 becoming the 23rd State Affiliate of Keep America  Beautiful. It is a 501c3 charitable organization working with Iowa citizens, neighborhoods, communities and regions in improving the quality, beauty and cleanliness of our State. KIB empowers Iowan’s to have a greater commitment in building pride and respect in the places we live. For more information see www.keepiowabeautiful.com

Friends of Shimek Equestrian Trails was one of fifteen organizations awarded a 2014 grant. The tools were obtained through Kempker Hardware in Fort Madison. The tools included several heavy duty loppers and rakes for use at the FOS Group Work Days. The loppers will assist greatly in trimming back multiflora roses and small overhanging limbs on the trails. The rakes will help with campground cleanup. The FOS Volunteers will be using the tools on each of the four annual group work days.

President Ann Bennett said: “We much appreciate this award from Yo-Ho through Keep Iowa Beautiful. The tools will provide assistance to FOS volunteers for years to come in our trail maintenance.” 

Chuck Kempker of Kempker Hardware in Fort Madison presenting the Yo-Ho tools to FOS Treasurer Debbie Miller