Driven by their commitment to community, the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of Iowa held their fifth annual Shine the Light contest in June to celebrate local volunteers. Employees and member-consumers of Iowa’s locally owned electric cooperatives were invited to nominate someone who makes a positive difference in their community.
The judging committee reviewed essays from 88 outstanding nominations, which were published in the August issue of this magazine, and selected three winners.
Congratulations to Chuck Bildstein, who is recognized for supporting families through Chelsey’s Dream Foundation; Aimee Goeman McKnight, who is recognized for her generous community efforts through Build a Better Belmond; and Gerry Holtrup, who is recognized for his commitment to assisting veterans through Partners for Patriots.
These three winners have been awarded a $3,000 donation to their charity. The following pages showcase and honor each of the Shine the Light contest winners’ commitment to humbly serving their communities.
Learn more at www.IowaShineTheLight.com.
WHERE DUTY NEVER ENDS
Gerry Holtrup pairs veterans with life-saving companions
BY EMILY VANDER VELDE
After more than 35 years in law enforcement, Gerry Holtrup could have stepped into retirement quietly. But a call from a past connection helped launch a mission that would touch the lives of hundreds of veterans across the country.
Gerry first met Cindy Brodie while working in the sheriff’s office, when he was looking to add a narcotics dog to the force. Cindy, then training law enforcement dogs in Tennessee, connected him with Jeb, a dog who would work closely with Gerry for nearly a decade and become a valued partner.
Years later, after moving to the Sioux City area, Cindy began training service dogs for disabled veterans. Inspired by helping some veterans receive their life-saving service dog, she founded Partners for Patriots, a nonprofit that raises, trains and places service dogs with disabled veterans – completely free of charge.
“These dogs truly are helping them,” Cindy said. “They’ve saved lives and helped veterans function in society.”
Answering the call again
When North West REC member Mollie Griffin heard about the Shine the Light contest, she immediately thought of Gerry. As a puppy raiser for the program, Mollie has witnessed his dedication firsthand.
“Gerry is the driving force behind the fundraising,” she said. “He cares so deeply. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”
Just two months before retiring, Gerry got a call from Cindy. She was overwhelmed trying to do everything on her own and asked for help with fundraising. He stepped in without hesitation – and hasn’t stopped since. His first fundraiser brought in $5,000, when the group had just $2,000 left in its bank account. Since 2017, Gerry has helped raise more than $400,000 to fund the placement of over 200 service dogs.
From coordinating annual dinners and golf tournaments to organizing fair booths and business events, Gerry keeps the mission front and center in the community. But while fundraising is vital, his most meaningful role has been as a traveling trainer.
Delivering healing, one dog at a time
Once a dog completes six months of training in Anthon, it’s Gerry’s job to deliver the dog to its new handler. Cindy trains him on the veteran’s specific needs, then Gerry drives – or sometimes flies – with the dog to their new home, staying several days to help build the bond between the veteran and the dog. He has personally delivered 35 dogs, from Iowa to California to Tennessee.
The dogs are trained to respond to veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms – recognizing triggers and calming them through touch and distraction. Gerry shared powerful stories of dogs pulling veterans out of night terrors or stepping in when a veteran was on the verge of suicide.
“These dogs really do save lives,” he said.
Each veteran is given 500 custom baseball-style cards featuring their service dog’s photo and name. It’s something to hand out when people ask to pet the dog, which can’t be allowed while the dog is working.
From his early years with Jeb to his coast-to-coast deliveries for veterans in need, Gerry has never stopped serving. Through compassion, determination and a deep respect for the sacrifices of others, he is making a life-changing difference – one dog and one veteran at a time.
Learn more at www.partnersforpatriots.org.
Emily Vander Velde is the communications and member services coordinator for North West REC.
WHERE DETERMINATION DIVES DEEP
Aimee Goeman McKnight rallies a small town around a $5.7 million dream
BY RYAN CORNELIUS
Every small town has its unsung heroes, but in Belmond, one woman is proving that determination, vision and a heart for her community can turn the impossible into reality. Amy Goeman McKnight is one of those unsung heroes.
Aimee returned to her hometown of Belmond in 2020 after moving away when she graduated high school in 1995. In 2023, when the city pool faced a crisis, Aimee stepped into her true role – community champion.
After a summer marked by repeated breakdowns, the Belmond City Council voted not to reopen the pool in 2024, citing the nearly $1 million in needed repairs. Instead of accepting defeat, Aimee gathered a group of dedicated community members to form the Luick Memorial Swimming Pool Committee under the Build a Better Belmond organization.
A new vision for a community landmark
They began meeting with city officials, engineers, financial experts, pool design firms and residents. What they discovered was that repairing the pool wasn’t the answer – rebuilding it from the ground up was the solution.
The challenge? A staggering $5.7 million price tag.
For most towns of 2,300 people, that number might have been the end of the story. But for Aimee, it was just the beginning.
Fundraising, faith and a finish line in sight
In just 12 months, she and her committee raised an incredible $2.1 million through donations and a steady stream of community-driven fundraisers. Next up is a critical vote in November 2025 on a $3 million city bond that could push the project across the finish line.
Her motivation is simple: a love for her community and its future. Friends and neighbors often marvel at how she balances her demanding job, her business and countless hours of volunteer work, often pouring more time into the pool project than anything else.
In a world that could use more unsung heroes, Belmond already has one. Her name is Aimee and she’s proving that with passion and persistence, even the biggest dreams can make a splash.
Learn more at bit.ly/belmondpool.
Ryan Cornelius is the vice president of corporate relations for Corn Belt Power Cooperative.
WHERE WISHES BECOME FAMILIES
Chuck Bildstein fulfills Chelsey’s dying dream, one adoption at a time
BY CHRISTIE REMLEY
Chelsey Bildstein was a talented athlete, rising professional, and beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Raised in a loving family, she wanted nothing more than to be a mom someday. Sadly, she would not have the opportunity herself, but it was her dying wish that others get to experience the joy of parenthood.
In 2013, Chelsey, was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer at the age of 23. When she learned of her disease, she gracefully accepted that she would not have biological children. As her cancer rapidly progressed, Chelsey expressed to her parents Chuck and Carol Bildstein her dying wish. Her dream was no longer to grow a family of her own through adoption, but to help other families with the cost of their adoptions. Her wish became Chelsey’s Dream Foundation.
Carrying on Chelsey’s legacy
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative Energy Advisor Al Reiter nominated Chuck for a Shine the Light award for his work with Chelsey’s Dream Foundation, which was established to honor the memory of Chelsey and fulfill her wish to assist families with adoption expenses and emotional support.
“Chelsey’s Dream Foundation is a perfect fit for the Shine the Light award. It has been a valuable resource since it began and continues to help families with their adoption goals more than a decade later,” said Al.
Building families with every act of generosity
While Chelsey passed away in 2014, her foundation has since helped more than 100 families (80 from Iowa) with adopting 141 children. This organization continues to be a valuable resource, providing adoptive families with grants from $3,000 to $15,000. The foundation has never turned a family down.
Chuck has taken the loss of his daughter as an opportunity to help others and carry on her dream. The Bildstein family and many close family friends support the foundation by holding numerous fundraising activities in the Anamosa community, including an annual raffle for a side-by-side UTV, a girls’ youth softball tournament with more than 50 teams participating and a golf and auction event that attracts at least 300 people annually.
In addition to financial assistance, the foundation provides emotional support through annual seminars on the adoption process. They also connect families who share their experiences and mentor those needing help navigating the adoption process.
While Chuck lives by the creed of getting involved and doing something to bring a smile to someone’s face every day, he is most proud of Chelsey’s courage and her open heart to help others, even in a time when she was facing terminal cancer.
Chuck said simply, “She is our hero.”
Learn more at www.chelseysdreamfoundation.com.
Christie Remley is the manager of communications and public relations for Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative.
