OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Oskaloosa Golden Goose Club has been making significant contributions to the community over the past several years, enhancing local attractions and supporting community projects. This philanthropic group, consisting of 200 women who each donate $100 per quarter, has provided over $450,000 in funding since its inception in 2016.
One of the club’s latest contributions was to the Spirit Cafe, which received $13,000 for kitchen appliances. The cafe is a project of Oskaloosa Community Schools, and they celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 21. Spearheaded by Sara DeRonde and Stephanie Gordon, the project combined community donations and volunteer efforts to create a space that benefits the community and provides opportunities for students with special needs to gain workforce experience. The restaurant is now open from 9 AM – 2:30 PM Monday – Friday.
The club also played a pivotal role in the renovation of the Nelson Pioneer Farm and Museum. Over the past few years, the Golden Goose Club has contributed $49,500 for various improvements, including reroofing the historic home, updating signage, and enhancing the museum. The renovated museum now features an interactive veteran’s display, allowing families to input and access information about their loved ones’ military service.
“Nelson Pioneer Farm is amazing,” says Vicky Collette, president of the Golden Goose Club. “The renovations and the beautiful veteran display are truly impressive.”
Another highlight was the spring reopening of Trolley Alley, where the club revealed new artwork by Brant Bollman and introduced historical signage. Ann Brouwer and Sherry Vavra showcased the artwork and historical facts researched by local historians John Jacobs and John Bandstra. The alley now features bistro-style tables and chairs, as well as a community scavenger hunt.
The club’s generosity extended to the Edmundson Park Playground, contributing $16,500 to its recent refurbishment. The Oskaloosa Fire Chief also received $5,000 from the club for a flag display, which made its debut on Memorial Day.
In addition to these projects, the club donated the red and white Adirondack chairs for the Library Green Space. They also supported the purchase of a 20’ foot Christmas tree for the city square. That tree combined with their Dancing Lights show last Christmas was something very special to see and was enjoyed by many.
The Golden Goose Club’s impact reaches far beyond these individual projects. Their donations have funded storm sirens for smaller communities within Mahaska County, enhanced public performance spaces, and supported various other initiatives.
“We have done several projects over the years that are things people might consider should come out of a government entity’s budget,” Collette explained. “But there are always worthwhile projects that don’t fall within their budget, and we feel it’s important to help.”
Looking ahead, the club will host Thankful Thursday in The Alley, with live music, on July 4th. Their event will be followed by the Oskaloosa City Band in the park.
“We are always looking for ladies who would like to be a part of this very successful organization,” Collette said. “When you look at the new playground, Spirit Cafe, beautiful holiday events, Nelson Pioneer Farm, and even the storm sirens for some of our smaller communities, it’s impressive. Considering we wouldn’t have these projects without widespread community support, it feels good to be involved.”
For the many members, the Golden Goose Club is a source of pride and community spirit. “It’s always a thrill when somebody new wants to join,” said Collette. “They meet new people they wouldn’t have known otherwise, all of whom are generous individuals who love being involved in the community and giving back. They’re all so proud to be part of these projects,” Collette noted. “The Club creates a unique source of pride for our community.”
