The fundraising for the Linn County Freedom Rock continues and today one of Cedar Rapids' top employers made a generous donation to the cause.

John Mikelson (holding check) of Midwest Military Outreach, Mark Hennessey (over John's left shoulder), the Chairman of Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve, and yours truly were presented a check for $2,000 from members of the Quaker Oats Valor Group. Mikelson and I serve on the board for the Linn County Freedom Rock Foundation.

The Linn County Freedom Rock will sit on the edge of the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City and is expected to be painted around the time of the 2020 Linn County Fair. An area farmer has donated a boulder, approximately 13-feet by 7-feet, that will provide a wonderful canvas for Freedom Rock artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II. Sorensen is painting a Freedom Rock in all 99 Iowa counties. This rock, in Coulter in Franklin County, was the last one painted in 2018:

The map below shows the counties that have a completed rock (red). The blue counties represent those that have already reserved a Freedom Rock but haven't yet gotten it painted. Franklin County has, obviously, gone to red since the map was updated.

I encourage you to go out and take a look at Freedom Rocks in the area. They're amazing works of art and tributes to Iowa veterans. You can find an address list for them HERE.

theFreedomRockTour.com
theFreedomRockTour.com
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Thanks to everyone who was part of today's donation at Quaker Oats, where approximately 11 percent of their employees are veterans. During my visit, their Challenge Coin display case caught my eye. Each coin has the name of a veteran currently employed by Quaker Oats along with the military branch and years they served. They receive the coins upon retirement.

If you'd like to donate to the Linn County Freedom Rock Foundation, you can do so at Cedar Rapids Dupaco Community Credit Union locations. Donations are tax deductible.

KHAK photo
KHAK photo
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