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New community foundation fund dedicated to Darwin Judge Park

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO A recent photo of Darwin L. Judge Park — captured by Greg DeSaulniers — accompanies this announcement, offering a peaceful glimpse of the beautifully maintained public space honoring Judge’s legacy. Located at 1203 S. 12th St. in Marshalltown, the park serves as a lasting tribute to his memory and the sacrifices of those who served.

New endowment funds are created at the Community Foundation of Marshall County (CFMC) whenever the opportunity arises.

According to Executive Director Julie Hitchins, the Darwin L. Judge Park Fund was requested by the Fall of Saigon Marines Association in honor of Marshalltown native Darwin Judge.

“It was one of those out-of-the-blue things,” she said. “You answer the phone one day, and somebody from California is saying what they want to do. I’ve never met the guys. We did it all electronically. It was very cool, and a way to leave a lasting legacy, which is what people are really looking for a lot of times.”

Hitchins said endowment funds typically start as a seed fund with $1,000. Then, $600 is deposited each year. When the fund reaches $10,000, money can then be dispensed from it. The association was ready to start the Darwin Judge fund with $10,000 right away.

“Every year, 5 percent will be dispersed automatically to Marshalltown Parks and Rec specifically for Darwin’s park,” she said. “The number one priority is to keep the flags in good condition — the Marine flag and the American flag.”

When communication with the Marines began in February, Hitchins asked them what the vision was, and she was told the flags have to be “pristine.”

“That’s their thing,” she said. “These guys are from all over the U.S. On their website, they talk about Darwin and [Cpl. Charles McMahon], who they support. They come back year after year and were giving scholarships at the high school. They would fly in from coast to coast to do scholarships in Darwin’s name.”

Beyond the flags, there are no requirements for how the city should maintain the park. Hitchins said they could put in new trashcans, or save some of the annual money for a bigger project like a gazebo or picnic tables.

“It’s a way to make sure parks are maintained,” she said. “We also have one for Three Bridges. I’ve seen a desire to support the parks locally, and some people have a park they truly love. The beauty of endowment funds is anybody can give to them. That’s also a cool way for the donor to also welcome others to join in supporting something they care about.”

Even though Fall of Saigon has made it possible for Judge’s legacy to continue, Hitchins said they are disbanding due to the age of the members.

“They really wanted to find a way to continue to honor both Marines, and one of their members knew about community foundations,” she said. “They entrusted the community foundation to make sure the money is dispersed to Park and Rec, and I will go check on the flags. They wanted to make sure it was a permanent gift. The fund is endowed and will exist forever.

Judge was one of the last soldiers killed in action during the Vietnam War. After graduating from Marshalltown High School, he left for basic training. In Vietnam, he served as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy. Within two weeks of joining the detachment, Judge and McMahon were killed by a rocket attack on April 29, 1975 during the final evacuation of Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City.

Rebuild fund

After the 2018 tornado devastated Main Street, the CFMC announced the Rebuild Marshalltown Fund. Monies in the fund were to be used for rebuilding and long-term recovery to property sustained by the tornado. Hitchins said the fund is now closed, and on Aug. 4 the final grant will be given.

“A big announcement will be made at the school board meeting,” she said. “We will do our final one, seven years later.”

The Rebuild funds – more than $800,000 – have all been expended, and the fund has been closed. Hitchins said the final project is “super cool.”

Through the years, Rebuild has given:

• $100,000 to the City of Marshalltown for renovations to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum;

• $100,000, Habitat for Humanity of Iowa for the Marshalltown Hammers Back Project;

• $25,000, YSS of Marshall County for renovations;

• $74,750, 13th Street District for an open air shelter and landscaping in West End Park;

• $18,000 to the Arts + Culture Alliance for a mural project at the Orpheum Theater;

• $28,000, City of Marshalltown for a pickleball pocket park;

• $200,000, Region Six Partners as a downtown revitalization matching grant;

• $150,000, Marshalltown Central Business District as a facade matching grant;

• $35,000, St. Francis of Assisi for the St. Mary’s window renovation project;

• $14,000, Arts + Culture Alliance for the sidewalk poetry project and;

• $40,000, City of Marshalltown for a State Street tree project.

“It’s been super long, but pretty darn impactful,” Hitchins said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.\

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