Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WA-TAN-YE
WA-TAN- YE. Service organization whose local chapter boasts of hosting the first rummage sale in Dubuque. Wa-Tan-Ye celebrated fifty years of service to Dubuque on September 24, 1987. The celebration in the JULIEN MOTOR INN was held in the same room that held the charter dinner on September 25, 1937.
Dedicated to doing well for others, the club is best remembered for its fund-raising booth at the Dubuque County Fair. From its beginning, the group supported the GIRL SCOUTS and originally sponsored a troop. Today proceeds from the club activities support two Girl Scout camp scholarships and a wide variety of other community organizations. One of the club's most successful fund-raisers resulted in an estimated $50,000 worth of war bonds being sold during World War II. Bond purchasers were given free jeep rides to encourage sales. This record was a great improvement from the twelve dollars raised in the first rummage sale.