Sponsorship for 2024 available
When more than 2,400 young people visited the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower for free this year, they probably were not aware of this year’s sponsors’ lifelong commitment to children.
The Victor Zike Trust and the Rosalene (Kay) Zike Trust sponsored the 2023 program. The trusts are managed by their daughters, Carole Custer of Jefferson (pictured, left) and Susan Zike of Aloha, OR (pictured, right).
“Throughout their lifetimes, our parents were significantly involved in young children’s educational and social successes,” said Custer and Zike. “We thought this sponsorship to help educate children about philanthropy and the history of this landmark was a fitting tribute to Mom and Dad.”
Their mother was a longtime pre-school owner/operator of Kay’s Pre-School in Perry. She also served on state early childhood advisory boards, appointed by Iowa’s Governor Robert Ray. Their father was a child psychologist whose professional career spanned the Greene, Guthrie and Calhoun Counties’ school systems; the Perry school district; and the Area Education Agency headquartered in Polk County. He counseled children, parents, and teachers in many central Iowa schools, developing protocols to help determine children’s readiness for school. Mr Zike also held evening events for parents across the state where his speech, “When 5 is Not Enough”, helped parents determine the appropriate age for their children to start school.
“It’s amazing to me, living in Jefferson, once people know I’m Vic Zike’s daughter, they share so many stories about Dad helping them ensure their children had social and academic success,” Custer said.
The Bell Tower Community Foundation seeks a sponsor for each year’s Tower admissions for children 18 years old and younger. If you, a group, or business would like to sponsor this annual Tower admissions program, please contact Foundation board member Jean Feldmann at 515-386-2613.
