Encyclopedia Dubuque
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GINTER, Donna: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:donnaginter.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Photo Courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]GINTER, Donna. (Humboldt, SD- ). "Mother on Main Street." Ginter's father brought his family to Asbury, Iowa, in 1941 after losing two sections of farm ground to droughts and grasshoppers. He opened a tavern. | [[Image:donnaginter.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Photo Courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]GINTER, Donna. (Humboldt, SD- ). "Mother on Main Street." Ginter's father brought his family to Asbury, Iowa, in 1941 after losing two sections of farm ground to droughts and grasshoppers. He opened a tavern. | ||
Beginning in 1949, Donna and her late husband Joe owned the [[NAVY CLUB]] on 4th and Main Street. During urban renewal in the 1960s, the business was moved into what had been the [[GERMAN SAVINGS BANK]]. Over the years, the Navy Club was renamed the Broken Spur and finally the Silver Dollar. Ginter's renowned hospitality included letting customers charge their food until the arrival of their next Social Security check. | Beginning in 1949, Donna and her late husband Joe owned the [[NAVY CLUB]] on 4th and Main Street. During urban renewal in the 1960s, the business was moved into what had been the [[GERMAN SAVINGS BANK]]. Over the years, the Navy Club was renamed the Broken Spur and finally the Silver Dollar. Ginter's renowned hospitality included letting customers charge their food until the arrival of their next Social Security check. According to Ginter, "We raised seven kids out of here. We got by. We ran a neighborhood place, a working man's place. And we always tried to take care of the old bachelors and the widowers." | ||
In May of 1980 to give herself more time for visiting children and grandchildren she relocated to the [[WEST DUBUQUE TAP]]. | |||
Better known became her free Thanksgiving dinners. Initially Ginter invited six homeless people to her house for Thanksgiving. This continued annually until the number of her guests outgrew the space available. Ginter later received help with the dinner from local organizations and volunteers. In 2007 her leadership of the effort led to meals serving 2,400 people including some taken to people's homes. In 2009 the number had grown to 2,542. | Better known became her free Thanksgiving dinners. Initially Ginter invited six homeless people to her house for Thanksgiving. This continued annually until the number of her guests outgrew the space available. Ginter later received help with the dinner from local organizations and volunteers. In 2007 her leadership of the effort led to meals serving 2,400 people including some taken to people's homes. In 2009 the number had grown to 2,542. | ||
Revision as of 04:25, 2 November 2010
GINTER, Donna. (Humboldt, SD- ). "Mother on Main Street." Ginter's father brought his family to Asbury, Iowa, in 1941 after losing two sections of farm ground to droughts and grasshoppers. He opened a tavern.
Beginning in 1949, Donna and her late husband Joe owned the NAVY CLUB on 4th and Main Street. During urban renewal in the 1960s, the business was moved into what had been the GERMAN SAVINGS BANK. Over the years, the Navy Club was renamed the Broken Spur and finally the Silver Dollar. Ginter's renowned hospitality included letting customers charge their food until the arrival of their next Social Security check. According to Ginter, "We raised seven kids out of here. We got by. We ran a neighborhood place, a working man's place. And we always tried to take care of the old bachelors and the widowers."
In May of 1980 to give herself more time for visiting children and grandchildren she relocated to the WEST DUBUQUE TAP.
Better known became her free Thanksgiving dinners. Initially Ginter invited six homeless people to her house for Thanksgiving. This continued annually until the number of her guests outgrew the space available. Ginter later received help with the dinner from local organizations and volunteers. In 2007 her leadership of the effort led to meals serving 2,400 people including some taken to people's homes. In 2009 the number had grown to 2,542.
In 1994 Donna Ginter was honored by the TELEGRAPH HERALD with its FIRST CITIZEN AWARD. In 2009 in honor of her 47 years of organizing Thanksgiving dinners for Dubuque residents, Mayor Roy D. BUOL on behalf of the city council, staff and citizens of Dubuque proclaimed April 18, 2009 as "Donna Ginter Day."
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Sources:
"175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 96
Telegraph Herald, May 4, 1980
Interview with Donna Ginter November 1, 2010
