A group of Eldora area adults and youth will not rest until a nearly 80-year-old building that once housed Civilian Conservation Corps workers, and later Italian and German POWs, has been refurbished.

They are known as the Hardin County Agricultural Society’s Youth to Restore the CCC/POW Building.

Their mission: Protect and preserve the architectural integrity and history of the building on the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Eldora, and to develop appropriate use and interpretation as a historical and educational treasure for future generations.

The group recently announced it had been selected by the Barlow Family Foundation 2014 Community Challenge.

“The foundation will match donations made to the Restore the CCC/POW Building group up to $50,000,” said Becky Rose of rural Whitten. “Our goal is $20,000 – and we need help to raise that amount beginning Oct. 6 through the 17th to qualify for $20,000 in matching funds from the foundation.”

The Rose family, along with dozens of other area volunteers, have worked extensively since 2009 to maintain the structure, hosting numerous fundraisers or securing volunteer labor and donated materials.

From Oct. 6-17, all qualified donations to the Restore the CCC/POW Building will result in matching money by the foundation. The donations must be from individuals, with a minimum contribution of $25, and a maximum contribution of $100 per person.

Checks may be made out to: CCC/POW Project and sent to the Iowa Falls Bank, 601 W. Washington Ave., Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.

The foundation is associated with the Iowa Falls Bank.

Rose said the group was also recently awarded the Paint Iowa Beautiful Grant this spring. Paint Iowa Beautiful is a partnership between Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel Paints. Volunteers received paint from the Marshalltown store.

Additionally, the society secured more help from the South Hardin High School construction class led by instructor Barry Scott. The students installed flashing around the building’s foundation.

For more information, contact 641-486-5364 or gbehrose@heartofiowa.net.