On Thursday, November 6, 2025, The Blank Park Zoo held its 60th Anniversary and ground breaking ceremony of the Ruan Foundation Wild Iowa. Prairie Meadows awarded a 2024 Legacy Grant in the amount of $300,000 dollars to the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in support of the ‘Expand the Impact’ project. Since 1997, Prairie Meadows has been honored to contribute more than $2.2 million to the Blank Park Zoo Foundation, helping create a place where families learn, explore, and connect with nature. Prairie Meadows is proud to invest in projects that enhance the Blank Park Zoo helping it to grow and flourish.

The State Historical Society was awarded the Association of Midwest Museums 2025 Groundbreakers Award for their commitment to accessibility through their collaboration with the Iowa Council for the United Blind and the Iowa Department for the Blind, their use of available technologies to improve the navigation and accessibility of their building, and their overall commitment to accessibility, including other accessibility advancements in the building and on the museum website. Prairie Meadows was proud to provide funding for their accessibility work through a 2024 Community Betterment Grant in the amount of $10,000 to support their project, "Increasing Accessibility for Visitors who are Blind or have Low Vision."

On October 3, 2025, Prairie Meadows CEO and President, Brian Ohorilko participated in the Habitat for Humanity CEO Build. The 2025 CEO Build had 17 volunteers help build walls to a future Habitat home. 86 hours of volunteer time along with 45 plus wall panels were built and completed through the initiative. The walls built during the CEO Build will be part of a 48 townhome development in Waukee, at Walnut Crossing. The walls will frame a two story 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhome at 901 NW Hopewell Court in Waukee. The home is being purchased with an affordable mortgage by one of Habitat For Humanity’s partner families. Prairie Meadows is dedicated to supporting projects like this that bring hope and opportunities, and strengthen central Iowa.

Saturday, October 11, 2025, Prairie Meadows employee Chef Cade volunteered for a Prairie Meadows sponsored event, Rockin’ the Block with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers helped to complete home repairs in the Martin Luther King Jr. Park neighborhood of Des Moines. These home repairs not only help with the safety of the home but keep central Iowans in their homes for years to come. Prairie Meadows is proud to participate in volunteer opportunities and to sponsor events like this that help to make an impact in our community.

Prairie Meadows was proud to support Toys for Tots by collecting new, unwrapped toys for local children ages 14 and under. Guests, employees, and community members came together with Prairie Meadows to help make the holiday season brighter for children through the Toys for Tots program. Complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa added to the festive atmosphere at the final day of the event. The Toys for Tots Tuesday giving campaign is a community initiative held in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. In addition to the toys collected and funds raised by Prairie Meadows guests and employees, Prairie Meadows presented a $10,000 check in support of this meaningful cause.

Prairie Meadows supports Iowa nonprofit organizations focused on arts and culture, education, economic development, and human services. Through our grant programs, we continually work to strengthen and expand opportunities, infrastructure, and services offered within the community. Prairie Meadows will accept grant applications from January 2, 2026 to February 27, 2026. To learn more, please visit our website.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Prairie Meadows took part in ChildServe’s first ever Sprinkles of Thanks event, which celebrated the donors whose generosity fuels life changing care. Supporting ChildServe and its unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and young adults with special healthcare needs across Iowa is a true honor for Prairie Meadows. Guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast, inspiring stories, a behind the scenes tour of the campus, and meaningful conversations with fellow supporters and the dedicated team members who bring ChildServe’s mission to life each day. Prairie Meadows is grateful to stand alongside an organization making such an extraordinary impact in our community.

The Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market returned for its 20th season November 21 - 23, offering an indoor shopping experience at the Iowa Events Center. Attendees enjoyed shopping for everything needed to create beautiful gifts or prepare delicious meals for friends and family including late season produce, poinsettias, holiday wreaths and ornaments making it a perfect destination to kick off the holiday season. As the Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market marks two decades, Prairie Meadows is proud to have provided a sponsorship to help support local farmers and artisans by connecting people in the community to shop local, engage, and experience the holiday season.  

Like any great company, we're always looking for new employees with fresh ideas. Find your future - apply today. 

Julie Stewart 
Chief Operating Officer
515.967.1241

Call 515.967.8550 or email pmsales@prairiemeadows.com

Casino      Hotel      Events      Racing & Sports Betting       Dining      Careers 

This email is intended for this recipient only and is nontransferable. 

This email is intended for this recipient only and is nontransferable. Prairie Meadows reserves the right to modify or cancel promotions at any time, for any reason, without prior notification. In the event of a mail, email, or print error, the offer(s) containing the errors will be voided. Prairie Meadows, in its discretion, without compensation, may replace or substitute the correct offer(s). Subject to all applicable regulations. We support responsible gaming. 800 BETS OFF.