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Bloomsbury Farm’s corn maze will celebrate Four Oaks’ 50th year
Chelsey’s Dream Foundation to pay for 200 foster families to visit maze this fall
Jul. 14, 2023 5:10 pm, Updated: Jul. 17, 2023 11:27 am
ATKINS — Bloomsbury Farms will be using this year’s corn maze design to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Four Oaks, a social services nonprofit serving Eastern Iowa children and families.
The farm typically incorporates the logo of a nonprofit into the maze each year. Last year, it was Zach Johnson’s Kids on Course. This year, it will be the Four Oaks logo, it was announced at a Friday news conference at the tourism farm near Atkins.
In addition, Chelsey’s Dream Foundation, a charity based in Anamosa, will fund a day in the corn maze for 200 foster families served by Four Oaks, which is now in charge of foster parent recruitment, retention, training and support for all of Iowa.
The corn maze will open this fall at the farm, 3260 69th St., Atkins.
Four Oaks has partnered with Bloomsbury Farm in past fundraisers, Four Oaks President and CEO Mary Beth O’Neill said at a Friday news conference at the farm.
“We cannot do it alone,” O’Neill said. “It takes the entire community to help children and families succeed. So as part of our vision to expect success, we have to partner with others in order to make that happen.”
O’Neill also pointed to the support and partnership with Chelsey’s Dream Foundation, created to honor Chelsey Bildstein of Anamosa, who died of cancer at age 23 in 2014.
Chuck Bildstein, her father, told The Gazette that Chesley’s final wish was to help other families adopt children. The foundation has helped 116 families cover adoption fees and related costs.
“She didn't have a baby on this Earth and — to date — she has 116 babies,” her father said at the news conference. “We started to partner with Four Oaks three years ago, to help them because every child deserves a loving home. We felt that's what was in Chelsey's heart.”
A Bloomsbury Farm spokesperson said the farm makes it a point to promote “these important organizations. ... If we can make a positive impact on a special organization and a nonprofit like Four Oaks … that's where our heart is.”
Comments: 319-368-8877; liam.halawith@thegazette.com
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