WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Kum & Go president and CEO Kyle J. Krause, along with his wife, Sharon, recently were honored with the "2010 Iowa Star Award." This award, offered by The Des Moines Register, recognizes central Iowans who have given back to the community and made an extraordinary difference.
The Iowa Star award was presented to Kyle and Sharon Krause on February 9, 2011, at the Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines, Iowa. This is the ninth year that the newspaper honored members of the community with this award for work to promote unity, self-empowerment [image-nocss] and self-sufficiency for all. Readers nominated community members for the honors and an independent panel of judges selected the award recipients.
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"For those of us who work with Kyle and Sharon on a regular basis, we see first-hand the compassion, caring and commitment that they have toward improving the communities in which Kum & Go does business," said Dennis N. Folden, COO at West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go. "Our associates were extremely excited to see the Krauses recognized with this prominent award. To us, it was visible acknowledgement of the charitable giving culture at Kum & Go that is such a strong part of our lives."
Last fall, the Krauses also were recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Iowa with the "Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of the Year" award. This award is presented to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, and whose generosity encourages others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community affairs.
In 2010, Kyle J. Krause's efforts as board chairman of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines helped the organization exceed significant donation goals by increasing assets by more than $165 million. He also helped jump-start the $17 million "We Believe" capital campaign for Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.
Sharon S. Krause's commitment to the rights of women, children and families motivated her to work with Children & Families of Iowa, a private, nonprofit human services agency headquartered in Des Moines.
The Krauses also have contributed to the efforts of other initiatives such as: The Mercy Medical Center's "Million Little Reasons" campaign and the Sacred Heart's "Light for Tomorrow" campaign, in addition to supporting higher education by funding the Iowa State University's College of Engineering "Krause Scholarship."
Kum & Go returns 10% of its profits each year to the communities it serves. These contributions support a variety of important causes including education and youth-related activities. In addition, Kum & Go encourages team members to give of their time to important local causes in each community.
The family-owned company began in 1959, in Hampton, Iowa, and has grown to more than 430 convenience stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming). In addition to a wide selection of products, Kum & Go provides customers a proprietary mix of products under the Hiland brand name. Other proprietary product offerings include Java Ridge Premium Coffee, Napa Creek and Sea Ridge wines, Go Fresh Market sandwiches and Nuclear energy drinks.
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