The first annual Iowa City Downtown Block Party held in July was an epic experience. Live music, giant jenga, sand volleyball, public art installations, a fashion show, an alleyway movie, and dozens of other events took place throughout the pedestrian mall and surrounding blocks from 5 to 11 p.m. The NM team stopped by earlier in the day to help set up tables, chairs, tents, water buckets, banners, and fencing to prepare for the big night. As an incentive for volunteer groups to sign up, the Downtown District awarded a $450 cash sponsorship, which we chose to pay forward to the Iowa City Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP). DVIP provides support and advocacy services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. For more information on the DVIP, visit www.dvipiowa.org

This past summer, Neumann Monson sponsored a community screening of the movie The Princess Bride on the University of Iowa Pentacrest. The Free Movie Series is part of the Iowa City Summer of the Arts programming. Patrons were encouraged to stop by early to grab some movie themed freebies and catch a demonstration by the Iowa City Fencing Center. For volunteer opportunities and information on additional Summer of the Arts events, visit www.summerofthearts.org.

In May 2017, we collected 35 units of blood for the University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center. All blood collected by DeGowin is used locally to help patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and UI Children’s Hospital. Consider donating to a blood center near you – giving 1 unit can save 3 lives!

Our Eames inspired House of Cards made an appearance at the Iowa City MERGE space for the Summer of the Arts Soul Festival. We invited the community to join us in constructing a massive city out of nearly 10,000 cards. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to explore their inner architect.

In support of breast cancer awareness month in October, we fired up our 3-D printing machine to create a bra for the annual Bras for the Cause fundraising gala in West Des Moines. Design inspiration for our bra, titled In-Tension, came from the aesthetic beauty, and structural stability of suspension bridges. Bras for the Cause is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization that raises funds to eradicate breast and cervical cancer – especially through early intervention mammograms and cervical screenings for women across Iowa. Learn more at www.brasforthecause.com

Last fall, we laced up our walking shoes for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Des Moines. Proceeds raised from the event went to help fund programs for screening/diagnosis/treatment services, providing safe and accurate breast cancer information, and patient navigation programs. For more information on volunteering, donating, or participating in an event in Iowa, visit www.komengreateriowa.org

During the month of June, our Des Moines studio participated in the ninth annual Yankee Doodle Drive Against Hunger. The goal was to provide 50,000 meals for Iowans in need and to raise awareness of hunger in the state. All items went to benefit the Food Bank of Iowa.

This past spring, we collected donations for the Johnson County Crisis Center. For a list of top ten needed donations or for volunteer opportunities, visit www.jccrisiscenter.org

Staying informed is paramount to function productively within society, and information needs to be easy to access for everyone, including those that are blind and print handicapped. IRIS is a free radio reading service that reads print information from local newspapers aloud to over 3,000 print-disabled listeners throughout Iowa. IRIS has reading locations in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, Sioux City, Mason City, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Ames and soon – in Dubuque. If you would like to add your voice to the reading contingent, call the IRIS at 515-243-6833.

Neumann Monson collected funds that went to sponsor 12 cats and 1 dog at Furry Friends Refuge. Sponsoring a cat or dog waives adoption fees to qualified adopters and helps cover the cost of food, shelter, and vet bills. Furry Friends Refuge serves animals of West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, and Windsor Heights. Information on sponsorships and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.furryfriendsrefuge.org. And if you’re ready to add a furry friend to your family, consider adopting from a shelter near you.