Someday soon, the animals sheltered by the Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa will be traveling to veterinarian appointments in comfort, safety and even a little bit of style.

This will be possible thanks to a remarkable gift by one man.

Dave Ristau, of Fort Dodge, and his late wife, Lis, were passionate about animals for all of their married life. They shared their home with lots of dogs and cats over the years, including six dogs adopted from Almost Home.

Recently, Dave Ristau made a $10,000 donation to Almost Home.

By doing that, he provided all the matching funds needed for a $10,000 grant from the Fort Dodge Community Foundation, which was awarded for the purchase of a van.

Now $10,000 is a lot of money to give in a single donation. A huge foundation or a multinational corporation might give at that level. A Silicon Valley billionaire might do so as well.

The Ristau family is none of the above. Lis Ristau, who died in a June 15, 2021, traffic crash, held various administrative roles for the Fort Dodge Community School District. Dave Ristau is retired after working as facilities manager for Holy Trinity Parish and St. Edmond Catholic School.

This gift to Almost Home is rooted in their love for animals and his enduring love for his wife. That’s what makes it so special.

With one big check, one man made an immense difference for an organization that has at times struggled financially.

It is refreshing to know that average people can still make a big difference for causes they believe in. It is even better to know that such people are our neighbors here in Fort Dodge.