COVID-19 wiped out an entire year of fundraising activities and events for Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers in Mount Pleasant, but they’re getting financial help thanks to a grant of almost $77,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

Grants were made possible when Governor Kim Reynolds allocated almost $36 million in CARES Act money to fund the Iowa Arts and Cultural Recovery Program. Midwest Threshers CEO Terry McWilliams says their grant is a big shot in the arm, “This recovery grant from the state was a look back on financial support for operations of the association that took a direct loss of revenue from cancelling events due to the pandemic. So with us, the reunion being cancelled, plus most of the activities the Threshers do throughout the year, this money will go to support lost revenues and expenses incurred by having to cancel those.”

McWilliams says as of right now they’re planning to resume all of their regular events in 2021, including the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion scheduled for September 2-6.