Celebrating Care in West Des Moines

Communities are built on more than just roads and rooftops—they thrive because of the people who live, work, and care within them. In West Des Moines, everyday acts of kindness often happen quietly: a neighbor checking in on an elderly resident, a business donating to a local cause, or a volunteer showing up when it matters most.

Recognizing the power of these moments, the City of West Des Moines’ Human Services & Inclusion (HHI) Department had an idea: What if we made compassion contagious? What if, instead of only addressing community challenges, we also amplified the goodness already happening all around us?

That question became the seed of something bigger.

The Problem

The Human Services & Inclusion (HHI) Department in West Des Moines witnesses both the challenges and the compassion within the community every day. They see residents and businesses stepping up in meaningful ways—but these everyday acts of kindness often go unnoticed. The team began to wonder: what if we celebrated the care that already exists here?

The Solution

Instead of focusing solely on the struggles within the community, HHI envisioned a campaign that would spotlight the good—the small gestures, the generous actions, and the people behind them. Their goal: to become a catalyst for connection, celebration, and kindness in West Des Moines.

That’s when HHI reached out to Amplimark to help turn this vision into a strategic initiative. Together, we gave shape and structure to the idea, starting with a name: Community of Care.

Designed as an inclusive, year-long campaign, Community of Care invites residents and businesses alike to get involved. It also serves a meaningful purpose—raising funds for HHI’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides vital support to residents in need.

How It Came Together

As the concept took off, it quickly evolved into a multi-faceted movement. The campaign is grounded in three core pillars: Advocate. Donate. Volunteer.

From there, things moved fast:

• Sponsorship levels were developed for donors.
• Monthly causes were identified to spotlight and support.
• Community-sharing channels were created to collect and promote stories of care.
• Internal education led to stakeholder engagement, and soon, marketing materials were in high demand.

What started as a small initiative began to generate real momentum—and Amplimark was honored to be part of building that framework.

The Outcome (So Far)

Community of Care officially launched in October 2024 with a series of public events, developed in collaboration with local partners. One standout element: the now-iconic “I Care” yard signs, which residents proudly display to show their support.

Excitement around the campaign continues to build. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are not only participating—they’re creating their own acts of care, exactly as intended.

Social media engagement is rising across Facebook and Instagram. The campaign hashtag, #wdmcares is gaining momentum. Donations are growing beyond HHI’s typical fundraising avenues. And interest from local businesses is high, keeping up with requests for materials and information has become a (welcome) challenge.

Conclusion

What began as a simple idea has sparked something powerful. The vision is bigger than just one campaign—it’s about reconnecting a community through compassion. Neighbors helping neighbors. Young people supporting seniors. Seniors mentoring the next generation. Businesses collaborating for the greater good.

That’s the heart of West Des Moines. And that’s what it means to be a Community of Care.

Ready to Reach Out

If you would like to hear more about our involvement and how we can help create a campaign for your business or nonprofit, contact us 515-225-6438 or on our website. Let’s get started!