The Gerdin family of Solon, which owns Heartland Express in North Liberty, was named 2025 Chapter Philanthropists of the Year by Make-A-Wish America at the organization’s Evening of Excellence Award Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 6 in Orlando, Florida.
The annual award recognizes a Make-A-Wish donor who plays an essential role in creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Nominees from all 57 chapters are evaluated based on lifetime giving, total years of engagement and support, and overall advocacy for the Make-A-Wish mission.
“Our family feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be part of the Make-A-Wish organization,” said Julie (Gerdin) Durr, who accepted the award on the family’s behalf. “There is no decision more natural or meaningful for us than helping children, especially those facing serious illness.”
Through the Gerdin Charitable Foundation, which is rooted in the legacy of Russ and Ann Gerdin and led by their children, the family has contributed $3.5 million to Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Dreams Come True Fund. The 2023 pledge marked the foundation’s second major commitment to the organization and will help realize nearly 250 wishes over five years.
“The Gerdin family’s generosity has not only expedited the wish granting for kids in Iowa at a time where we have over 300 kids fighting a critical illness, but it has also inspired others to believe in the life-changing power of a wish,” said Sara Kurovski, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa.
The family attends events, promotes awareness and follows each funded wish through a custom “star portal” that maps the stories and locations of wishes granted.
Make-A-Wish Iowa is part of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, which serves children in every community in the United States and in more than 50 countries. The organization is headquartered in Phoenix.
