By Mari Radtke
The Sutherland Centennial, September 3, 4 and 5, 1983 produced funds beyond the cost of hosting a 100th anniversary celebration. Those surplus funds were plowed back into community needs. At the time, medical services were most needed. Those funds, plus $100 shares purchased by residents and supporters generated enough money to purchase a downtown building. With many volunteer hours a suitable facility to provide medical clinic services was ready. The effort gave birth to Sutherland Community Health, Inc.
Baum Harmon Hospital served the people of Sutherland and the surrounding area until 2020 when a revitalization project by the City of Sutherland, Sutherland Economic Development, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jim and Colleen Johnson built a new building to house a new clinic with what is now MercyOne, a predecessor to Baum Harmon.
A new, well equipped facility for medical care is now a feature of Sutherland’s downtown. The building at 108 W 2nd Street remains housing for healthcare. In April 2024 the building was sold to SAB investments and houses Tim Aberson Chiropractic.
The funds acquired over the years from the building as a medical clinic and the sale of the property provided more than $60,500 that a small board of directors determined how to best reinvest for the most impactful community support. Sharon Litka, Jaime Sickelka and Stacey Zimmer, led by Chuck Kummerfeldt, who was part of the development of Sutherland Community Health, Inc., devoted time, attention and debate into their ultimate decision.
What was ultimately decided is to distribute varying amounts to a dozen local organizations. Each organization gives sparkle and shine to Sutherland’s generally quiet living. Individually the organizations add to tourism, recreation, culture and knowledge, history, safety and quality of life.
The feature organizations receiving gifts from a 40-year-ago community project are:
Sutherland Little League
Town & Country Saddle Club/Anderson Arena
The City Sign
Parks
Library
Noah’s Ark Daycare
Sutherland Community Fund
Willoway
Labor Day Celebration
The Sutherland Museum
Sutherland EMS (Fire and Ambulance)
The Veterans’ Memorial
The recipient organizations’ have expressed enormous gratitude for funds that can make these gems go from sparkle to glowing, each with different upgrade projects underway.
When you see one of the board members who helped push money from the community back to the community tell them, “Thank you.”