Okoboji businessman and philanthropist Gerald “Bud” Pearson has given Quakerdale a half million dollars to establish the Bud Pearson Promise Home.

(photo: Bud Pearson, 2nd from left, with, l to r, Quakerdale Director of Development Donna Lawler, Executive Director Robert Talbot, and former Executive Director Michelle Herman.)

“Mr. Pearson believes in the concept of a privately funded, non-correctional, faith-driven living opportunity for children who need a chance in life,” said Robert Talbot, executive director at Quakerdale. “His generous gift allows us to begin building an endowment that will fund a Promise Home forever, which is the essence of the Promise Program.”

Pearson founded Spencer Foods and built the beef packing operation into a Fortune 500 company in the 1970s. In 1988, he started World Champions of Golf, which produces corporate outings with senior golf professionals and donates proceeds to children’s charities. It was through the golf company’s relationship with the Lennox/Quakerdale Invitational Pro-Am Golf Tournament that Pearson first embraced Quakerdale’s work with children and families.

“I was impressed with Quakerdale’s leadership and their dedication to their mission,” Pearson said. “Their results are amazing. I know of no other charity as worthy of the support.”

The Bud Pearson Promise Home will be the second of its kind for Quakerdale. Cost for the new project is estimated at $4.5 million. In 2006, Quakerdale established the Rena Van Orman Promise Home in Marshalltown for the voluntary, long term placement of youths whose potential are hampered by economic conditions, adverse family issues or other factors.