Author Archives: merlehayadmin

Annual Holiday Lights Contest

Judging for the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association’s 19th annual Holiday Lights contest this winter will take place in mid-December. If you would like to ensure that your house is included in judging, please contact April at (515) 707-6386. Your home or your neighbor’s home may be considered for a prize even if you don’t contact us. Three homes will be awarded a $25 gift card. Judges will be looking for creativity, originality, holiday spirit, neatness, and theme coordination. We encourage as many people as possible to decorate their homes and thank everyone who makes our neighborhood a little brighter this holiday season!

Annual Supper and Quarterly Meeting on Oct. 19

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association will host its annual supper and quarterly meeting on Thursday, October 19 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. The supper will get underway at 6 p.m. with the meeting following at 6:30 p.m.

We expect to be joined by staff from the City of Des Moines Engineering Department, who will update us on the next steps with the Merle Hay Corridor Plan. We’ll also have neighborhood news, public safety updates, and more.

We will have more details to share as we get closer to the meeting. Please plan to join us on October 19 and invite your neighbors!

Help MHNA Keep the Kids Warm!

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association is once again collecting new clothing donations (both money and clothing) for elementary school children through our Keep the Kids Warm program at the October quarterly meeting.

This year, we are collecting winter clothing for students at Moore Elementary School. Donations of NEW coats, boots, stocking hats, gloves, snow pants, scarves and mittens are welcome, or you can donate money & we’ll purchase the needed items.

The following sizes are needed:

  • Coats & snow pants- (boys and girls): 6/6x, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16.
  • Boots (boys and girls): 1, 2, and 3, 4
  • Mittens or Gloves (boys and girls): S, M, L & XL

Our cutoff time is November 13th, so we can get items to the kids before Thanksgiving break.

Your help is greatly appreciated! Any questions or concerns, please contact Kathy Battles on her cell 515 865-3040, or her email is kmbattles@msn.com.

National Night Out on Aug. 1

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association for our annual observance of National Night Out, America’s night out against crime, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. There will be games and crafts for kids, family-friendly entertainment, door prizes, and great tips and information from public safety personnel about how to safeguard you, your loved ones, and your property. Cold refreshments and food will be provided! National Night Out is a great way to meet your neighbors and learn more about safety within your home and while you’re out and about. Please help spread the word! We look forward to having a great turnout. Contact April Wyss at 515-707-6386 to volunteer, donate, or have a booth. We can always use more helping hands, so please consider volunteering!

Quarterly Meeting on July 20 & National Night Out on Aug. 1

Here are details for MHNA’s upcoming events this summer. Please make plans to join us. All are welcome!

MHNA Quarterly Meeting on July 20 – Our Namesake’s Birthday!

Please join MHNA for our next quarterly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. The meeting happens to fall on the birthdate of Pvt. Merle D. Hay, the first Iowan killed in World War I. We can think of no better way to honor Merle Hay’s service, sacrifice, and legacy than to come together to work on ways to make our neighborhood and city stronger and better for everyone.

We are still working out details, but we plan to spotlight a neighborhood business. We also plan to provide updates on the recently completed Merle Hay Corridor Plan.

As always, we will have public safety updates, neighborhood news, committee updates, and information on how you can help out around the neighborhood. And don’t forget, we’ll have REFRESHMENTS!

National Night Out on August 1

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association for our annual observance of National Night Out, America’s night out against crime, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.

There will be games and crafts for kids, family-friendly entertainment, door prizes, and great tips and information from public safety personnel about how to safeguard you, your loved ones, and your property. Cold refreshments and snacks will be provided!

National Night Out is a great way to meet your neighbors and learn more about safety within your home and while you’re out and about. Please help spread the word! We look forward to having a great turnout. Contact April Wyss at 515-707-6386 to volunteer, donate, or have a booth. We can always use more helping hands, so please consider volunteering!