Cedar Falls Community Foundation hosts September Community Builder Celebration
July 10, 2018
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation will celebrate donors, founders, and community builders at their annual event on Sunday, September 9th from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Windridge, Western Home Communities. The public is welcome to attend. The Community Builder Celebration is an opportunity recognize donors who have contributed to the many diverse Foundation funds that enhance Cedar Falls and support the important work of non-profit organizations; to recognize donors who enable the Cedar Falls Community Foundation to continue to grow and serve Cedar Falls; and to honor recipients of the Melendy Spirit Award.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation presents the Melendy Spirit Award to individuals, families, groups, or organizations who have made outstanding community contributions that have enhanced, improved, or positively affected the overall quality of life in Cedar Falls, through philanthropic or other means. The Melendy Spirit Award is open to Cedar Falls residents or organizations that reflect the example set by Peter Melendy, an early resident who contributed significantly to the cultural life and economic development of Cedar Falls. Nominations are accepted for honorees both living and deceased, annually in April.
On Sunday, September 9, 2018, the Melendy Spirit Award will be presented to the Sturgis Falls Celebration and the Streeter Family.
The Sturgis Falls Celebration is a Cedar Falls nonprofit that has organized a community wide festival annually since 1976. The Sturgis Falls Celebration is planned and implemented by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, each with specific responsibilities which they oversee during the year as well as during the Celebration weekend. Since 1976, ninety-seven community members have served on this Board. Currently thirteen individuals serve on the Sturgis Falls Board.
The Sturgis Falls Celebration is the community’s largest outdoor festival, celebrating both the heritage of Cedar Falls and present day Cedar Falls, bolstering community pride, bringing an influx of visitor-generated revenue, and providing an annual opportunity for reunions of families, classes, and friends. The Celebration provides an opportunity for local service groups to assist with various aspects of the weekend event, earning funds to support the important work of each service group. Since 1976, the Sturgis Falls Celebration has donated more than $500,000 to local groups and causes and invested significantly in City infrastructure such as the Gateway Park shelter and electrical services to Overman Park, Tourist Park, Island Park and Gateway Park.
The award to the Streeter Family will recognize multiple generations of the Zimri and Lucinda Dean Streeter family, who settled in Cedar Falls in 1852 and positively impacted Cedar Falls through contributions in the areas of politics, arts and culture, professional life, development of amenities, and service to the City. Short biographies of selected individuals from three generations of this family will be shared, including Zimri Streeter, James Wareham Streeter, Anna Streeter Wood, Bess Streeter Aldrich, Clark Streeter, James Ford, and Gaylord Ford. Accepting the award on behalf of the Streeter family will be Melinda (Mel) Petersen Hanlon, granddaughter of Clark Streeter, long time Cedar Falls City Engineer.
The Community Builder Celebration will provide an opportunity for the Cedar Falls Community Foundation to share recent impact and opportunities, recognize donors, and recognize those who have made the commitment to be part of the Founders Club, providing financial support to grow the Foundation’s capacity, infrastructure, and ability to serve.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation strives to be a champion of local philanthropy and a trusted, empowering partner to donors who are passionate about enriching the community of Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation inspires and connects individuals, families, and organizations to enhance Cedar Falls, support non-profits, elevate educational opportunities, and build legacies through philanthropy. For more information about the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, please visit
www.cf-communityfoundation.org or contact 319.243.9170 or cfcf@cfu.net.
