2008 Blue Sky Day
LSI is proud and excited that this is the 13th annual Blue Sky Day! This Ames tradition continues to evolve into a signature event for everyone in the community to attend. Some energizing changes have been made to this year’s format. The day will begin with the traditional 5K run/walk on the Iowa State University Campus, but this year racers and community members should bring their appetites. A pancake feed, catered by Chris Cakes, will also be held on the ISU campus. By making these changes this event is now even more accessible to community members and families as well as Iowa State students, faculty and alumni.

What happens if it rains?
You get wet! There is no rain date scheduled for the 5K run/walk. If the weather is threatening the race will be cancelled, but you can still pick up your t-shirt at 1323 Northwestern Ave., Ames.

Where Do the Proceeds Go?
Proceeds from the Blue Sky Day event will help fund programs and services for the approximately 4,000 children and families we empower from Lutheran Services in Iowa’s Beloit campus in Ames. Below is a list of items and activities the money may be used for. Your support DOES make a difference!

$50 – Purchase one gas card to help parents maintain contact with their child while at Beloit.

$100 – Buy trick or treating costumes or swimsuits to give kids opportunities they may otherwise not have.

$250 – Send kids to Blank Park Zoo to have a new experience and a new learning opportunity.

$500 – Provide winter coats to children and families to keep them safe and warm through the winter.

$1,000 – Buy our kids backpacks and school supplies to help them receive a quality education.

$2,500 – Send kids to Ride with a King, a six-week course at a therapeutic horseback riding camp.

$5,000 – Purchase a powered wheelchair.

What is Lutheran Services in
Iowa’s Beloit Campus in Ames?
LSI’s Beloit campus impacts Story County children and families every day through family centered adoption and foster care services, residential treatment center, services for people with disabilities, crisis child care, the People Place family resource center and home health care services.

Contact information:
Belinda Mies at 515-817-0923
belinda.meis@lsiowa.org

Sara Hackbart at 515-817-0933
sara.hackbart@lsiowa.org



History of Beloit Blue Sky Day
In 1994, employees of the Beloit Residential Treatment Center decided to take action and raise community awareness of the campus. Although the facility had been serving the community and helping children rebuild their lives since 1949, the name “Beloit” was not well known.

Beloit employees organized a bike ride and surrounding event to bring people from the community onto the campus. The event, deemed “Blue Sky Ride,” returned the next year, and soon blossomed into a walk and run. Organizers felt that including a walk gave the community an opportunity to walk with the children who lived at Beloit.

Each year, the bike ride and walk became a bigger event, and Beloit was able to raise much-needed funds to continue serving children and families. The name eventually changed to “Blue Sky Day” to reflect the hope and cheer, like a bright sunny day, that organizers wanted to bring to the children.

Today, Blue Sky Day has evolved into a day of fun and food that celebrates LSI’s Beloit campus, the Ames community and our partnership. It is our hope that members of the community see Blue Sky Day as a tradition in celebration, hope, and fun!