David Tank, grandson of Martha-Ellen Tye and vice president of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation, announces a $1 million grant toward the Roundhouse renovation at an event Tuesday evening.
The Marshalltown High School/Community Auditorium foyer was filled with gratitude and excitement Tuesday night as David Tank, vice president of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation, announced the Foundation has awarded the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse Renovation Project with a generous $1 million challenge grant.
The donation is a challenge grant that will be donated over five years. This type of gift encourages community participation. The Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation will match the first $1 million raised.
“Marshalltown High School is on its way to becoming one of the premier high schools in this country,” said Aiddy Phomvisay, principal of Marshalltown High School. “The Roundhouse Renovation is just one of the many factors that will turn this ambition into a reality. We are delighted that the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation believes in our efforts and in this community. We are truly blessed!”
This is only the second time in the 37-year history of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation that a grant this size has been granted. The other was in 2006 when the Marshalltown Public Library also received a $1 million donation. Martha-Ellen Tye took great pride in her Marshalltown Community. Her dream was to make it a better place for future generations.
Karn Gregoire, Executive Director of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation noted, “The Roundhouse Renovation will provide our youth with an outstanding athletic facility while recapturing Marshalltown’s past and future pride of which the building represents. The Foundation is eager for Marshalltown’s collaborative spirit to meet and exceed the $1 million challenge.”
At Tuesday’s rally, MHS students opened doors and served refreshments in the auditorium foyer. Just prior to the announcement, the pep band greeted a chauffeured Yukon adorned with a large red and blue bow—a Bobcat emerged from the vehicle with a large domed silver tray. Mr. Tank removed the sealed announcement from under the dome and then made the exciting announcement! Speakers also included Phomvisay and Gary Schaudt, co-chair of the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse Renovation. The event closed with tours of the existing Roundhouse led by MHS coaches and student athletes.
Bobby the Bobcat and a pair of MHS cheerleaders bring the special announcement into the MHS/Community Auditorium foyer.
Schaudt encourages all community members to donate to this cause. The projected cost of the MHS Roundhouse renovation is $12.95 million. The Marshalltown School District has committed $9.1 million to the project. The $1 million Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation grant, matched by $1 million of community donations, will take the renovation campaign over the half-way point of their fundraising goal.
“I have no doubt that the Marshalltown Community as well as past and present Bobcats will rise to the occasion!” Schaudt says.
Pledge forms are available at www.mhsroundhouse.com. You can also follow the fundraising efforts on Facebook at Renovate the Roundhouse. Donations are tax deductible and should be directed to:
Marshalltown Community School District Foundation
P.O. Box 1562
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Watch video of the announcement on KDAO’s website here.
