Local couple pledge big in honor of Saunders School?s 100th anniversary

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

The Henry County Heritage Trust (HCHT) does have its share of loyal supporters, and Jared and Carol Hills, of Mt. Pleasant, are certainly among them.

In celebration of this year marking the 100th anniversary of Saunders School, HCHT held a dinner, silent auction and pledge drive at Jerry?s Restaurant, in Mt. Pleasant, on Monday night to help raise funds and awareness for the projects that HCHT is currently overseeing.

For Jared and Carol Hills, those projects hold a special place in their hearts, which is why the local couple decided to donate to the Trust in a big way.

?When we (Carol and I) heard about 2016 being the 100th anniversary of Saunders School - and we know how much the Heritage Trust does for local history - we decided that we would match up to $50,000 any pledges that come through tonight,? Jared said.

For Jared, who has lived in Mt. Pleasant for most of his life (apart from the years he attended college at the University of Iowa, where he met Carol), Henry County is not just another town. To him, it?s home and a place of business, and has been the same to generations of his family for many years.

?I think it?s important that kids and today?s generation, certainly people that have lived in Henry County for most of their life, know the history of the town and the county,? said Jared.

After Jared moved away in 1955 to attend the University of Iowa, both Carol and Jared eventually moved back to the area upon completion of their college education to set roots. He is a mechanical engineer.

?It?s a wonderful place to live and work and raise a family, and people should know how it has come to be that,? added Carol.

HCHT oversees the restoration and upkeep of historical buildings, such as the James Van Allen Home and the Saunders School building (now the Henry County Heritage Center), while also sponsoring events that shine a light on the heritage and rich history of Henry County.

?We have a lot going on at both Saunders School and the Van Allen House, and a lot we still want to do,? said Ken Vandevoort, president of HCHT. ?Right now, we are working on handicap access to the school, and we?ve been continuing to do a lot of landscaping around the Van Allen House.?

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Saunders School, HCHT is starting a centennial club, which will allow anyone who donates $1,000 or more to HCHT the opportunity to have their name permanently inscribed on a plaque that will be placed in Saunders School.

?Simply put, we could not do what we do and enjoy doing without gracious donors,? said Vandevoort. ?We are proud to bring Mt. Pleasant history and Henry County history to light in a way that really is not done anywhere else.?

To learn more about the HCHT, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HenryCountyHeritageTrust or call 319-385-4983.