February 9, 2012

Job fair planned for Webster City in response to layoffs

While hundreds of Iowans have lost their jobs in recent weeks, an event in north-central Iowa next week aims to help Iowans find new jobs. Daryl Roberts, a supervisor with Iowa Workforce Development in Fort Dodge, says a job fair is planned for Tuesday in Webster City as a response to multiple layoffs.

Roberts says the event is a chance to get everyone together who’s lost their job or who may soon be unemployed in the same room with people who can help them with various forms of assistance in finding new jobs and in getting by in the meantime. The event is being called an "Unemployment Survival Fair" and Roberts says the experts will offer folks some options.

"People can come in and pick and choose," he says. "If they think they might be interested in going back to school, or if they’d love to go back to school but they need money, those people will all be there to work with folks one-on-one." Webster City has seen a double-whammy of job losses — with several rounds of cuts at the Electrolux washer and dryer plant in recent months and the closing later this year of the Electrolux vacuum facility. Roberts says next week’s event is open to anyone from across Iowa.

Tuesday’s Unemployment Survival Fair is being held at The Bridge, 905 Des Moines Street in Webster City. For details, call Roberts at (515) 576-3131, extension 227.

 

Pony Express rides for Easter Seals

An Easter weekend tradition returns to Camp Sunnyside near Ankeny today. Horse riders will arrive at the Easter Seals camp from all corners of the state carrying money collected during dances, toll road operations and more to benefit the camp’s operation. Renee Bailey is with the Iowa Pony Express Riders . She says the first ride was held in 1968 and went from northwest Iowa’s Clay County to Des Moines.

"(It was) such a success…they raised about $12,000 that year. So, they decided to go statewide after that," Bailey said. The riders are expected to arrive at the camp this afternoon. Former Governor Robert Ray will serve as the Grand Marshall to welcome the riders. Renee Bell is a marketing official with Easter Seals of Iowa, which helps raise funds for Camp Sunnyside.

"It enables children and adults with disabilities to be able to have the same kind of camping experience as someone without disabilities can have," Bell said of the campground. Last year’s Pony Express ride raised $250,000 for Camp Sunnyside.