News : A century of 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors:' Eden Aid plans 100th celebration

Eden Aid: Most current members gathered for a recent photo.

Past Presidents gathered in 1965.

Karen Inman wrote this poem about Eden Aid.

Members wear t-shirts honoring the 100th year a they plan next week's celebration in Newhall.

Eden Aid members created a parade float to honor the group's 100th year.

Last fall, two of Bonnie Sanders' favorite things came together to give her a special day to always remember.

While setting up for her last season at the Sanders Pumpkin Farm, Sanders was surprised when her friends from Eden Aid showed up to help. They brought lunch and spent the day helping to stuff the “Pumpkin People” which decorated the farm for decades and welcomed children from throughout the area.

“That is one of my favorite memories of Eden Aid,” says Sanders. “That was a very special day.”

A member of Eden Aid for well over 30 years, Sanders is among those who are preparing to celebrate the group's 100th year.

For a century, the women of Eden Township have put the motto “Neighbors helping neighbors” to work. The club has helped keep the rural community south of Vinton united since it formed in the summer of 1915.

A dozen members of the group gathered in the basement of the Sanders home to plan a 100th anniversary celebration that will take place next Wednesday, July 29, at the Newhall Park pavilion. The group is inviting all of its current and former members – and their descendants – to join the celebration.

As they planned next week’s celebration, the members laughed at the memories as they discussed the group's history and smiled as they shared stories of how the organization has impacted their lives.

While some of the members have recently joined, a couple have been involved for nearly a half century.

Trish Decker is both the group’s president and one of its newer members. A pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Decker said Eden Aid helped connect her to ladies throughout the township.

For a century, that personal connection begins as members welcome new arrivals to the township. Any woman who lives, or ever lived, in Eden Township is eligible for lifetime membership.

Members rode together in the Party in the Park Parade as part of the group’s century celebration.

Jen Kreutner, whose daughter, Sarah, is the youngest member, says that Eden Aid also takes care of its oldest. When a member moves into a care center or assisted living facility, the group often moves its meetings to those places in order to allow that member to continue to be part of the group.

A group that contains women of all ages can sometimes experiences unique generational differences. The members still laugh at what happened in 1980, the last time Eden Aid members participated in a parade.

A young mother at the time, Sanders suggested a version of a phrase that was popular at the time: “Sixty-five and still alive.”

Laughter spread around Sanders table as members recalled the action of the older members – some of whom were in their 80s at the time.

Another generational change: While the group currently accepts dues from each member in the same amount, there was a time when a woman’s dues were determined by measuring her hips.

“Now, we just have dues,” explains Sanders, amid more laughter.

There are currently about 20 members of Eden Aid; at one time there were 40. Throughout the years, the ladies have made items for newborn babies, and worked on a variety of projects during their monthly meetings.

The group is expecting 100 or more members, former members or children of members at next Wednesday’s celebration in Newhall. They will look at scrapbooks and photos, and share memories.

The charter members when the group formally began on July 22, 1915, included: Lizzie Goodell, Maude Inman, Mae Richart, Edna Hite, Etta Trego, Mary Staab, Wilma Detrick, Mrs. Will Senft, Mrs. Floyd Bassett, Nora Knupp and Ethyl Fry. The ladies had gathered at Detrick’s home to organize what was then called the M.E. Ladies Aid “for the purpose of furthering the welfare of the community.”

Three years later, the group changed its name to Community Aid. The “Eden” was added in 1929.

Throughout the early years, the ladies made a variety of clothing for their neighbors, and had a big role in furnishing a room when the former Tilford Academy became a hospital. They made sheets, pillow cases, dresser scarves and tray cloths and donated dishes, silverware and furnishings. For years, a sign announced that this was the “Eden Aid” room, and the ladies continued to provide items for the room.

When the new hospital was built, the group continued its support, making 240 gowns and sewing and mending drapes, dresser scarves and towels.

“The Aid stands ready at all times to help in time of need,” wrote a member who compiled the history for the 50th anniversary. Throughout two world wars, the depression and the changes of the late 20th Century, the group continued to help their neighbors. They also made contributions to cancer funds, the March of Dimes, the heart funds and other causes, including North Benton Ambulance.

Three Eden Aid members even survived a 1928 tornado that damaged many homes in the area. Two families lost everything; another family lost most of its possessions although its house survived the storm.

Original members Maude Inman and Etta Trego helped the group celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1965.

There was once an Eden Hall, where the ladies held their meetings. For a few years, that hall was also a polling place during elections. Now, the hall has been converted in to a house, where member Sharon Happel now lives.

Now, as they prepare to celebrate their 100th year, the members continue to live by the theme on their blue t-shirts: “Neighbors helping neighbors.”

For more information, contact President Trish Weber at triciamv@sbcglobal.net.

The members have recently gathered for photos, and also have a 50-year-old photo of past presidents who gathered as the group celebrated its 50th year in 1965.

Past Presidents: 1965: Front Row L-R: Etta Trego, Helen Holst, Maud Inman, Flossie Inman, Florence Grovert, Gertrude Grovert. Back Row L-R: Margaret Ohrt, Elsie Wenner, Eileen Geiken, Ina Mae Hanson, Mildred Happel, Charlotte Knupp, Viola Werning, Florence Demmel, Culah Sanders, Berniece Sanders

Current Members: 2015:Front Row L-R: Tammy Surface, Chris Bierschenk, Sarah Kreutner, Karen Inman, Ellen Olson. Back Row L-R: Jenny Janssen, Rhonda Happel , Bonnie Sanders, Lori Lang, Jen Kreutner, Sharon Happel, Beth Jensen, Donna Wiese, Pauline Grovert, Trish Decker. Not pictured: Kris Boyles, Rita Fix, Kimberly Weiss, Vicki Gardemann.