A Loving Legacy of Hope and Healing

Mental health services are absolutely crucial for children who need a helping hand as they make their way through the challenges of growing up.

"These are kids who require special levels of care and trained staff to help them," says Brenda Mouw of Des Moines, who has heard the stories of many young people who benefited from their time at Orchard Place.

"They have married and gone on to have families of their own and lead happy lives," says Brenda, who has served on the Orchard Place board since 1996. She adds that such success stories show the importance of supporting Orchard Place and its commitment to children.

"The need for Orchard Place is huge," says Brenda. "Our mental health services are lacking, particularly for young people."

That need has led Brenda and her husband, Bernie, to support Orchard Place through annual gifts as well as their longtime participation in the Spelling Bee fundraiser, which has raised over $1 million for Orchard Place since Brenda started it in 2003.

The Mouws also have made provisions for a legacy gift to Orchard Place through the Elizabeth Mann Society, which gives members multiple options for gifts as part of their estate planning.

"Brenda and Bernie have given greatly of themselves throughout their lives, not just to our organization, but also in a much larger sense to our broader community," says Nancy Bobo, Vice President of Development at Orchard Place. "Theirs is truly a loving legacy of hope and healing."

It is a legacy that will continue to give and benefit the children at Orchard Place.

Your Gift Helps Change Lives
Your future gift to Orchard Place helps us provide critical services to youth in need. Please contact Cayla Walsh at 515-287-9648 or cwalsh@orchardplace.org.