Meet the One-Man Engine Behind Urbandale's Memorial to Veterans

Here is Bill Lawson's formula for successful fundraising:

• Live in one place for about 80 years
• Make a lot of friends
• Help a lot of people
• Then, just ask

Lawson, 81, of Urbandale, in about 10 months almost single-handedly raised $40,000 for a that will be installed in the Charles Gabus Tree Park, next to the  

"I just ask. I low-key it. No pressure. I have plenty of friends and know plenty of people from being around so long," said the long-time Urbandale community volunteer.

program chairwoman for the Urbandale Community Action Network, which organized the memorial, said Lawson has another advantage.

"He's just passionate about whatever it is he's raising funds for," she said. In this case, it's honoring veterans, whether they just returned from Afghanistan or they fought in the Civil War.

Previously, Lawson, a Korean War veteran of the Air Force, raised money to create Trolley Park at 70th Street and Roseland Avenue. And for 20 years he's been leading, lobbying and raising money to help revitalize Urbandale's old downtown area.

"He's really well-connected and he's highly respected," said Polson. "He's got such a warm, kind heart and they know he's not doing this for Bill, he's doing this for the betterment of the community."

Because of Lawson's single-minded effectiveness, UCAN will have a at 10 a.m. Saturday on the site of the Veterans Memorial.

How He Did It

Lawson started by making sure that information about the memorial and its buy-a-brick program to honor vets was sent to every Urbandale resident in their monthly water bill.

"The city manager said 'You're not going to get that done.' He didn't think (the water department) would do that," said Lawson.

Well, the city manager didn't sit on the water board for 26 years. And he didn't recommend the water department director for his job.

The national Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks foundation donated $2,000. (Lawson's been a member of the West Des Moines Elks Club for years.)

Lawson called on his old pal E.J. Giovannetti, former Urbandale mayor, now Polk County Supervisor, so Polk County is expected to give $2,500.

And hey, isn't Lawson's grandson's wife's dad a grant writer? He could probably help Polson write a grant application for Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casinos community betterment funds. (Add another $5,000.)

And don't forget his granddaughter, Emily Naylor, a landscape architect with Shive-Hattery, and her friend, retired landscape architect Jon Crose, who drew the plans for the memorial.

Lawson sold bricks among his fellow members at the and at two VFW halls where he knew people. Those VFW posts also donated money.

Are you interested in honoring a veteran? Tell us about that person in the comments below and we'll put Lawson in contact with you. 

His old high-school buddy, Bob Gates, works at the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge, talk to him.

Gates is a Marine veteran of the Korean War and he not only bought a brick for himself, but also for three of their North High School friends who died in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

"We grew up together, all of us, from the old Highland Park area," Lawson said.

He's Still Selling

This is how Lawson raised $25,000 selling bricks. And he's still selling.

Why just the other day as he was walking to the Kum & Go store to buy a lottery ticket, he stopped and asked the guy selling shaved ice if he'd ever been in the service. Lyle Jeffries, said no, he wasn't, but his dad was. 

"Just that quick, he bought one," said Lawson.

So it helps to be a talker?

"Yeah, that's true. That's me," he said.

Bill Lawson is more than a talker. He knows how to put money where his mouth is.

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