The Lynch Family Foundation held their annual Lynch Family Foundation Banquet June 26, 2014. This year marked the first time for a two day format with the Beneficiary Banquet at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah, IA on Thursday, June 26th. In attendance were Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, ISU Head Football Coach Paul Rhoads, Minnesota Viking’s mascot “Ragnar”, among other special guests. The annual golf
outing was held at Oneota Golf & Country Club on June 27th. This year’s goal was to raise funds to benefit various military support groups including Governor Branstad’s Home Base Iowa program.

The Lynch Family Foundation presented Governor Branstad with a $25,000 check for the Home Base Iowa project in support of the program that will match military veterans with jobs available across Iowa. Governor Branstad said the effort has tremendous potential to bring tens of thousands of new employees into the Iowa workforce.

Veteran Matt Hodges of Iowa shared his personal story of serving overseas and the difficulties of dealing with PTSD since. He also spoke on behalf of the Puppy Jake Foundation and the importance of service dogs to returning military personal. The Puppy Jake Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping wounded military veterans with the assistance of well-bred and professionally trained service dogs. Matt had been on the waiting list for a service dog, but the Lynch Foundation was pleased to present Matt with ‘Tank’ as his own permanent service dog.

Matt was not the only surprised guest of the evening. Twelve year old Noah Eberhart of Sumner Iowa was presented with a certificate by Governor Branstad honoring Noah for his hard work, dedication and service to the community through his charitable organization, Cookies by Noah. When he was 10, Noah started baking cookies in an effort to raise funds for a trip to Washington DC. However, Noah recognized a need greater than his dream of visiting the nation’s capital and donated the initial funds raised to charity. He has been baking cookies ever since and donating money raised to different charities. Not only was he honored by the Governor, but The Lynch Family Foundation surprised Noah with an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C for him and his family.