In the fall and winter of 2008 a group of over one hundred citizens started addressing some challenges and some concerns that were facing our community. With the recommendation of our Mayor and the Stanton Vision Committee, a group of citizens began holding meetings to address these challenges that our entire community faces. These challenges include the size of our existing daycare that has one hundred and forty kids enrolled. the location of our preschool, the need to expand and modernize our library, our need for a wellness center for the entire community to use, a place to hold after school programs such as mentoring programs, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Kids Club, and a gym for youth and adults. A steering committee was brought together and Stanton Friends was formed. Stanton Friends includes representatives from many groups and organizations in Stanton as well as an age range of community members having different needs and wants. The Steering Committee has met on a regular basis since March of 2008 and has formed several sub-committees to handle the task ahead of us.

Stanton Friends has studied over fifteen community projects built all over Southwest Iowa and beyond. We have formed partnerships with City of Stanton, Child Resource Center, and Good Shepherd Preschool and have enlisted the help of Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Iowa State Extension Service, Iowa Area Development Group, the USDA and hired an independent grant writer. The committee also hired a firm to do a complete feasibility study on the project.

• Project Coordinator: Mindy Wookey
• Co-Chairmen: Mickey Anderson and Chuck Truka
• Treasurer: Amy Tibben
• Secretary: Stephanie Burke
• Steering Commitee: Barb Allen, Amy Elwood, Jerry Gilliland, Katie Hart, Bret Hultman, Mark Lindgren, Nancy Lindgren, Jeff Magneson, Ashley McDonald, Dennis McClain, Jake Nimrod, Carrie Nimrod, and Stephen Peterson