I Heart BCD

Show your love for BCD this year by bidding on one of our theme baskets at the I Heart BCD online auction coming soon! Items will be available for bidding starting February 10th. We have options for in-person safe pick up on February 14th or will ship your items to you. If you opt for in person pick up, we'll also have soup in to-go containers, perfect for sharing with a loved one on Valentine's Day, without any time spent in the kitchen!

Dreams Realized

The Boone County Democrats have gathered a large supply of winter wear and disinfectants to distribute to the five largest public school districts in the county. Thanks to all those who gave of their time, their goods, and their money. Even folks from out of state helped. Our children deserve to be safe and warm!! What a way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow.

We Have A Dream

We have a dream. A dream that all students have snow boots and mittens for recess and a sanitized classroom to which to return. Help us make this dream a reality. If a monetary contribution is easier, you may donate online at ActBlue or mail a check to BCD (with MLK in the byline) PO Box 535, Boone 50036.

Items will be delivered on Jan 18th, MLK day. Ours is part of a national Day of Service to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

No later than the 17th drop of snow boots, mittens, and/or gloves for elementary students as well as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes any any of these locations (you may simply leave them on the porch):

Email or message us on Facebook for drop off locations.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mlkday

Lets make this a warm and safe winter for the school children in Boone County!!

Thanks to all!!

Thanks to all of you who helped with our collection for the local food pantries. You all stepped up to the plate when it counted. The BCD raised $2200 which was given to Impact and Toreador pantries in Boone and Greater Love Ministries in Madrid. Remember the need is ongoing.

Election is Over; Hunger is Still Here

Many people in Boone County are food insecure; the pandemic has only made the problem worse. The derecho in August further stretched the resources of many families. While a long term solution includes implementing policies that help working families do more than survive (and assist those such as the elderly, those unable to work, and children), the current situation demands that we do whatever we can to help one another. The Boone County Democrats will be raising funds to help area food pantries.

Who Taught You That?

As 2020 ends and I reflect back over the years I remember when I was 15 years old, in 1953  - in Mississippi.  A work friend (she was the maid and I was a salesperson) and I went on break together and stopped at a malt shop.   When we started to go in it dawned on me that she couldn’t sit with me at the soda fountain. That is the first time I was aware of racism and white privilege. It was a total shock to me. My first thought was how am I going to spare her feelings.  It didn’t occur to me that she had already experienced many instances of discrimination.   After all she was the maid and would not have been allowed to apply for any other job at the business where we worked.  I have often wondered how I got to be that old and wasn’t aware of racism. Who taught me that people of color were o.k. and my white skin was not something that should give me special privilege?   I lived with my grandparents until I was 8 years old and it was never discussed.  My grandparents were kind and caring people. We didn’t have very much but there was always enough to share with others.

If you believe something ask who taught me that? Why is there so much hatred in this country at this time?  Who is promoting it? Why do white people feel so threatened by others who may have a different skin color, different beliefs, etc.? Who taught them that? Why did they keep that teaching rather than evaluating the situation and making their own determination? No one is born hating others  - for any reason.

At fifteen I was puzzled and saddened that  having a different color should limit people and in 2020 at 82 years I still feel very sad that there is so much hatred in the world.  However, I am grateful to all of the people who taught me to value others, regardless of their race, religion, color or origin.

Even at my current stage in life I value people who I can learn from and hopefully I can teach something. Everyone had something to teach and hopefully I will always be open to learning.

Nan Sloan, Boone, Iowa

Shelly Stotts for Iowa House

Dear Boone County Iowa Readers, Hopefully you are aware that Shelly Stotts, Boone Community Schools experienced teacher and life-long Boone, Iowa resident, is the Democratic candidate to represent the citizens of Boone and most of Boone County at the Iowa Legislature in Des Moines. She is running for the District 47 Iowa House of Representatives seat currently held by Republican Phil Thompson. Shelly is a moderate. From her lifelong (35 years) experiences as a teacher she knows how to work with committees, parents, and school administrators. I know she will strive to represent all the citizens in this district using her listening skills associated with a strong work ethic to get things accomplished. She will be supportive of education of our young people, Pre-kindergarten, through the Community College age group. She recognizes the economic stressors of families during the time of this pandemic. She will be supportive of accessible health care services and work to maintain the critical access hospital status of our local Boone County Hospital She recognizes funding for Iowa Schools has diminished under the Reynolds administration, and needs to be challenged during the upcoming legislative session. After her husband was killed 21 years ago in an accident, she was a single mom working full time to meet the needs of her two young daughters. She recognizes the costs of raising a family and knows that the low minimum wage in Iowa is resulting in a wide spread economic problem. Foremost, she wants the future to be bright for her as well as our grandchildren. We residents of Boone County deserve a representative who is not tied to special interest groups, and will be committed to representing Boone citizens. I am grateful Shelly is willing to run for the Iowa House of Representatives.

Mary Weaver