Spirit of Nevada

The recipient of this year’s award has demonstrated for over 50 years, the commitment to their employees, customers and community through generous giving of their time, talents and treasures. This organization has proved again and again that their roots run deep and are a strong Story County supporter of growth and development.

Their involvement is unmatched as they have committed to supporting the communities where their team members live and work. And in Nevada, their support is evident. Over $550,000 has been contributed to the growth and expansion of some of the catalyst projects in our community Tope, Story Medical, Nevada Field House to name a few.

And in 2024 alone, their support has totaled an additional $164,000.

Congratulations, Burke Corporation! 

The recipient of this year’s award has demonstrated the spirit of philanthropy and support of the community that spans many years and many causes. We don't know if it is even possible to quantify their contributions to the community as there are too many to count. We want to share just some major recent contributions that provide a flavor of their unwavering generosity to the community of Nevada: 

Story Medical Center, The Fieldhouse project, SCORE, Josephine Tope Auditorium, Community Building, Rotary, United Methodist Church, Boys and Girls Club, Iowa State University, YSS, and The Nevada Legacy Fund

The Nevada Foundation is proud to present this year’s Spirit of Nevada award to Jim and Clare Frevert. A heartfelt congratulations to them!

The recipient of this year’s award (first ever!) is a high school student.

The Nevada Foundation is proud to present The Youth Philanthropy Award to Dakota Davis.

Dakota’s passion to support area Veterans is above and beyond what most kids his age are doing. While many youth are sitting at home on their screens, Dakota is already making a huge impact on a group of people in society. He is giving his time and energy to others in a philanthropic way. He is incredibly selfless in his quest to serve others and make them feel good. He does all of this while also working a job, playing sports and being a student.

When Dakota’s mother, Lola, asked Dakota what he wanted for Christmas last year his response was, “I want every Veteran at the Iowa Veterans Home to have a filled stocking,” both of their lives changed and took on a focus for Dakota’s passion towards Veterans. Not only did Dakota see it through that every Veteran in the Marshalltown home had a filled Christmas stocking, he has since taken 35 Veterans to an Iowa Cubs game this past summer, raised enough money and donations to provide 100 Thanksgiving meals to Veterans and will soon be working on a Veterans event that will be huge for our community. 

Dakota has proven he is not afraid to fundraise, not afraid to recruit others to help and not afraid to put in the work needed to organize benefit events. He even has an official non-profit organization now, called Saluting Service. Dakota, we thank YOU, for your philanthropic service to the Veterans of our community!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

It is with great honor, that we presented Michelle Cassabaum with the first annual “Spirit of Nevada” award at our Annual Celebration with Main Street Nevada, IA and Nevada Economic Development Council - NEDC.

Michelle has been an integral part of many projects in our community. The Spirit of Nevada award was created to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Nevada Community over a period of time.

Congratulations Michelle.