Chamber Ambassador Visits

Ambassadors visited the American Brawn Solace Center yesterday to celebrate their first anniversary. The Solace Center offers a supportive community space originally intended for veterans and first responders but its participant base has quickly expanded to anyone looking for solace. The group meets every Thursday on the third floor of the Masonic Lodge from 6-8 PM. Interested participants find encouraging peers and a variety of activities including; art supplies, games, musical instruments and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends or family or even their own projects to work on. No RSVP needed to attend, simply show up and be welcomed.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the American Brawn Solace Center, they’ll be hosting an “Ameri-Gras” party on March 21 featuring live music from Too Many String Band, a showcase of the group’s recent artwork, auction, snacks and more. This event is a free will donation, all funds raised at this event will be used to continue American Brawn’s mission of buying life saving equipment for first responder departments and support the Solace Center. To date, American Brawn has donated over $80,000 in critical equipment to departments across Iowa, Nebraska and even Illinois.

If you’re interested in learning more about American Brawn’s mission or making a donation, visit their website at americanbrawn.us. If you have questions about the upcoming Ameri-Gras Party, call/text Kent at 641-821-5134.

Pictured L-R: Hannah O’Polka - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Dorothy Spriggs - Carriage House Bed & Breakfast Gary Benest - American Brawn volunteer, Kent Reed - American Brawn founder, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Claire Burch - Temp Associates Grinnell, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Fran Conn, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Mary Anne Hosch - American Brawn volunteer and Solace Center attendee, Victoria Springer - American Brawn volunteer and Solace Center attendee, Mike Fisher - American Brawn Solace Center attendee.