Merle Hay Neighborhood Association

Merle Hay Neighborhood Association

Business, Schools, Parks and Churches

The largerst mall in Iowa, Merle Hay Mall is within our assn. boundaries as are many other businesses. Four elementary schools are within our boundaries; Moore and Hillis Public, St. Theresa's Catholic, and Mt. Olive Lutheran. There is also Des Moines Christian, which is K-12. Elementary students also attend Cowles and Windsor Elem. schools. The area feeds into Meredith and Merrill Middle Schools and Hoover and Roosevelt High Schools. We have 2 parks, Tower and Riley and the Inter-Urban Bike Trail along Urbandale Avenue. There are over 15 churches within the boundaries.

HELP OUR SCHOOLS!

A very easy way to help the schools in our neighborhood is to save the "BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION" on General Mills products. These are worth $.10 each. Most of the schools collect these and the money may be used as they see fit.

Many schools also collect the Campbell's labels. These are found on other products also, such as Pepperidge Farms, Pace, V-8 and Prego. These are saved for points and can be redeemed for items in a catalog.

Schools also need volunteers for reading to students, printing, etc. Please contact your school to ask how you may help.

About our association

GENERAL INFO, OFFICERS, MEETINGS +

ADDRESS - You may write the Merle Hay Neighborhood Assn. at P.O. Box 31036, Des Moines, IA 50310

OFFICERS - The officers for April 2006 through the April 2007 are: Steve Berry, Pres.;Susan Fenton, VP; Jane Linthicum, Secy; Chris Jordan, Treas.; Board Members Scotney Fenton, Ron Chapman, Ron Stoen.

MEETINGS - Membership meetings are held the third Thursday of January, April, July and October at 7:00 P.M. at the Northwest Community Center at 51st & Franklin. The annual meeting with elections is the April meeting. The Board meets the 2nd Thursday of every month, currently in the home of the Secretary. Everyone living within the boundaries is welcome to attend and join the association, but only currently paid members may vote on issues.

PURPOSE - Per the bylaws: "The purpose of the MHNA shall be to enhance and improve the quality of life in and to encourage citizen participation and pride in our neighborhood." The MHNA is a not-for-profit association.

E-MAIL LIST: Please contact MHNA to be put on the e-mail notification list for instant news of issues or activities. Send your request to WCL67@aol.com.

BOUNDARIES - On the EAST 51st St. Aurora Av. to Douglas Av., 49th St. Douglas Av. to Hickman Rd. and 48th St. Hickman Rd. to Franklin Av.; and on the SOUTH Franklin Av. 48th St. to 55th St. and University Av. 55th St. to 63rd St.; and on the WEST the city limits; and on the NORTH Aurora Av. from 51st St. to 62nd St. and Douglas Av. from 51st St. to 49th St. Both sides of all streets are included EXCEPT FOR the south sides of University and Franklin Av., the north sideS of Aurora and Douglas and the east sides of 48th St. and 55th St.

HISTORY

The first recorded meeting to begin the MHNA was November 22, 1999 and a second meeting was January 6, 2000. The bylaws were approved by 33 charter members on January 26, 2000. The first officers were: Art Behn, Pres., Ed Pagliai, VP, Jan LeCroy, Treas. and Pat Meiners, Sec'y. The first board members were Judy Patterson, JoAnn Hanover and Rick Meiners. The organization grew in it's first year to 125 individual, 3 church, 10 business and 3 associate members.