Request for Coverage
Contact: Nancy Bobo
Office: 515-287-9610
Cell: 515-419-7167
Children’s Agency to Celebrate Milestone Year with the Community
Orchard Place to host celebration of its 125th Birthday at Pappajohn Park
Des Moines - A leading non-profit organization in the state of Iowa is bringing a year-long
celebration of its 125th year to the community on Thursday. With live music, a free lunch, and other
special activities, Orchard Place invites the community to join in celebration of its 125 years of service
to the children of Iowa.
The activities will get underway at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 21st at Pappajohn Park, between 12th
and 13th on Locust. The Cues, a popular local cover band will perform throughout the event, which
includes a brief program at noon. Orchard Place CEO Brock Wolff will make a special presentation to
Blank Children’s Hospital, a unique gift made by the children of Orchard Place.
In celebration of Orchard Place’s milestone year, the children of Orchard Place constructed a display of
1,000 colorful paper origami cranes as a gift to Blank Children’s Hospital. The piece is modeled after
the Japanese legend of the thousand-crane bouquet that brings peace, hope and healing to its recipient.
Orchard Place recently received a Cranes for a Wish hanging from students of Chazy, New York. In
keeping with the tradition, the children of Orchard Place committed to constructing a similar piece and
passing it on with wishes of peace, hope and healing to children served by Blank Children’s Hospital.
The piece will be presented by Wolff to David Stark, President, and Dr. Ken Cheyne, Medical Director
of Blank Children’s Hospital. Wolff remarked, “The children took great pride in creating this piece,
knowing that with it they are passing on to other children a wish for a better life, just as this wish was
passed on to them.”
The program will conclude with singing of “Happy Birthday” to Orchard Place by supporters of the
organization. The celebration was made possible through the support of its Anniversary Year Presenting
Sponsors: Bankers Trust, Nationwide, Principal Financial Group and Ruan. The event will conclude at
1:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public.
Orchard Place was originally founded as an organization caring for orphans. Today, with a budget of nearly $18
million and 325 dedicated staff, Orchard Place provides mental health care and behavioral services to nearly
10,000 children and youth each year. It operates three distinct branches: Orchard Place Campus, Orchard
Place/PACE Juvenile Center and Orchard Place/Child Guidance Center, and serves children from throughout the
state of Iowa and beyond. The organization holds the distinction of being the second oldest non-profit
organization in Des Moines. www.orchardplace.org.
For interviews or more information, contact Nancy Bobo at 287-9610 or nbobo@orchardplace.org