A SEASON OF GRATITUDE IS BLOOMING ALL OVER IOWA. FROM GREENHOUSES BURSTING WITH ABILITIES TO BARBECUES-- <SIZZLE.> CELEBRATING SIMPLY STANDING UP. <I'M A LUCKY GUY.> WE'RE LEANING IN FOR A HUG-- <I LOVE YOU GUYS.> FROM THE CAMPUS MOM WHO CAN'T GET OVER WHAT HER STUDENTS HAVE DONE. < I FEEL SURROUNDED WITH LOVE> TO THE RUNNER LEAVING LOVE LETTERS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE. <(COVER) 0755 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I TRY TO FIND THAT HIDDEN GEM.> AND WE'RE CATCHING UP WITH THE WOMAN WHO CAN'T SAY THANK YOU. <PEOPLE DON'T DO THIS, BUT DALE DID.> BECAUSE SHE NEVER MET THE MAN WHO GAVE HER A FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE. IT'S A SEASON OF GRATITUDE. THIS IS IOWA. ACROSS OUR STATE, IOWANS ARE SAYING THANK YOU. THANKS TO NEIGHBORS, CUSTOMERS AND EVEN STRANGERS WHO'VE MADE THEIR DREAMS POSSIBLE. IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR, WE'LL FIND THEM IN CAFETERIAS, GREENHOUSES AND EVERY SMALL TOWN IN THE STATE. BUT SOMETIMES, SHOWING GRATITUDE PLAYS OUT AROUND THE GRILL - BUILDING NEW MEMORIES WHEN OLD ONES WERE ONCE HARD TO FIND. GIVE PLENTY OF IOWANS A GRILL AND A FLAME-- <CLICK CLICK CLICK.> AND THEY'LL LIGHT IT UP, TOSS ON SOME BURGERS-- <CLANK.> AND DREAM OF THE FIRST BITE. <SIZZLE.> BUT THE GRILLMASTER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT SMOKE IS MORE FOCUSED ON THE FACT HE CAN ACTUALLY STAND AND GRILL. <PRETTY GOOD. GETTING BETTER.> BECAUSE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, THAT HOG FARMER PROUDLY WEARING PORK ON HIS SHIRT COULD NOT FLIP A BURGER OR EVEN SPEAK. HE HAD BEEN RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE. <FILLED UP WITH GAS AND GOT SOMETHING TO DRINK AND HEADED WEST. AND THAT'S THE LAST THING I REMEMBER.> HE WAS JUST EAST OF ROLAND. <A DEER COME OUT OF THE NORTH DITCH AND SCHMUCKED ME. I DIDN'T HIT THE DEER. THE DEER HIT ME, I THINK. BUT I DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT. (37) SO THEN I GOT A HELICOPTER RIDE TO DES MOINES FROM THERE.> (41) GREG CARLSON'S TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AFTER HE FLIPPED OVER HIS WINDSHIELD AND LANDED ON THE HIGHWAY HAD EVERYONE WORRIED. <I'M JUST GOING BY WHAT I HEAR FROM MY WIFE BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER, SHE SAID THE FIRST 7 TO 10 DAYS I WAS A VERY, VERY, VERY CRITICAL.> SO BAD THAT EVEN WHEN HE STRUNG TWO WORDS TOGETHER SEVERAL DAYS LATER-- <I'M OK.> HIS EYES STAYED CLOSED. FOR 31 DAYS HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS HOSPITAL BED. HE DOESN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING THAT FIRST MONTH. SO AS BONES HEALED, THEY LOADED UP THE HOG FARMER FOR AN AMBULANCE RIDE TO THE BRAIN INJURY EXPERTS AT ON WITH LIFE IN ANKENY. <PHYSICALLY, HE STILL NEEDED A LOT OF HELP WITH EVERYDAY TASKS.> THERAPISTS SAY IT'S WHAT THEY TYPICALLY SEE IN PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD BRAIN INJURIES. BUT ON JUST HIS SECOND DAY THERE, THEY TOLD GREG TO STAND UP. <RIGHT FOOT. NOW BIG LEFT. GOOD!> FOR SOME REASON, IT WORKED. <WHY SUCH BIG STEPS?> SO DID GREG'S MEMORY. <HOW FAST HE WENT FROM NOT REMEMBERING ANYTHING TO WALKING AND THEN QUICKLY DITCHING THE CANE.> IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, THEY WERE TESTING HIS BALANCE WHILE TOSSING HIM TENNIS BALLS. <EVERY DAY, HE KEPT PROGRESSING.> SO THEY TOOK THE FARMER OUT BACK, PAST THEIR PIG STATUE TO THE AG THERAPY AREA FOR A LESSON IN WALKING ON UNEVEN SURFACES. <HE'S TRYING TO MAKE ME CRY. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.> CLIMBING ON LIVESTOCK GATES LIKE HE USED TO BACK ON THE FARM-- <HERE PIG. HERE PIG.> AND EVEN GETTING HIMSELF INTO A TRACTOR - WHICH WAS HARD. <BECAUSE YOUR BALANCE IS SCREWED UP. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND THEN BEING OFF MY FEET FOR 31 DAYS.> THE POINT - JUST LIKE THE FACILITY'S NAME - WAS TO GET GREG ON WITH LIFE. <JUST LIKE RELEARNING TO RIDE A BICYCLE. YOU GOTTA DO THAT AGAIN. WHICH I DID THAT TOO.> BUT TO MAKE SURE GREG WAS READY FOR EVERYDAY MENTAL TASKS-- <IT'S 48 BUCKS.> THEY ASKED HIM TO MAKE A SHOPPING LIST AND THEN PROVE HE COULD DO IT. <HEY, LET'S GO TO THE GROCERY STORE. IF YOU GRILLED AT HOME AND PORK BURGERS FOR YOUR FAMILY, LET'S DO IT HERE.> <SO WE GOT TO THE FAIRWAY STORE HERE IN ANKENY AND SHE GAVE ME A $20 BILL AND SAID, YOU GOT TO GO BUY THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT $20 BILL WILL BE ENOUGH.> JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER HE'D STOOD UP FROM HIS HOSPITAL BED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A MONTH, HE WAS DOING MATH IN THE GROCERY STORE AISLES. <TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, CAUSED COGNITIVE PROBLEMS. SO THEY WERE TESTING ME. SEE IF I CAN REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO COOK.> AND THEN, AS HIS FINAL TEST, HE STOOD ON HIS OWN AND GRILLED THE PRODUCT HE'D RAISED ALL HIS LIFE FOR HIS THERAPISTS. FOCUSING ON THE ONLY EXPLANATION HE COULD COME UP WITH FOR HIS INCREDIBLE FOUR WEEK TURNAROUND. <(QUIET 2 SECONDS.) GOD'S MIRACLES.> <SIZZLE.> SO 18 MONTHS LATER - WITH GRATITUDE OVERFLOWING? (COVER?) <YEAH, I'M A LUCKY GUY.> GREG WANTED TO TAKE HIS THANK YOU UP A NOTCH. <CAN WE GET THREE? WOAH! YOU GOT IT.> SO THE HAMILTON COUNTY HOG FARMER ASKED HIS FRIENDS AT THE PORK PRODUCERS TO FIRE UP THEIR BIGGEST GRILL SO HE FLIP ENOUGH BURGERS TO THANK EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING. <IT'S A COOL MOMENT, FOR SURE.> BETWEEN BATCHES-- <SEE, IT'S NOT AS WOBBLY AS IT WAS.> GREG CLIMBED BACK ON HIS BALANCE BALL-- <IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS.> SHOWED OFF HOW HE CAN TACKLE STAIRS WITHOUT PROBLEM-- <GOOD.> AND THAT THE FENCE OUT BACK? <CHAIN RATTLING.> IS A DAILY REMINDER ON THE FARM OF HOW FAR HE'S COME. <I THINK OF THAT WHEN I'M CRAWLING OVER FENCES.> BUT WHEN HE SAW WHEELCHAIRS ROLLING INTO THE LUNCHROOM - AND OTHERS OVERCOMING BRAIN INJURIES STAND UP LIKE HE DID - AND WALK TOWARD THE PORK LUNCH WAITING FOR THEM - <THERE'S BROWNIES IN THERE.> IT SANK IN. JUST LIKE IT DID FOR GREG'S THERAPISTS. <YOU KNOW, WORKING HERE LONG ENOUGH, THAT THERE ARE SOME THAT DON'T TURN OUT THAT WAY. SO THOSE REALLY SPECIAL ONES, THEY HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART.> <IT'S PEOPLE LIKE GREG THAT KEEPS ME COMING TO WORK AND KEEPS ME MOTIVATED TO GET THEM BETTER AND GET THEM ON WITH THEIR LIFE.> BECAUSE RECOVERY IS UNCERTAIN AND EVERY JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT. BUT WHEN IT ENDS WITH SO MUCH SUCCESS YOU CAN SAY THANK YOU WHILE ENCOURAGING OTHERS? <WELL AT LEAST YOU HAVE THAT ARM THAT WORKS, RIGHT? THAT'S RIGHT.> IT'S JUST PLAIN - SWEET. THE FACE OF KINDNESS AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY - <MARIETTA GREETING> NEEDED SOME HELP TOO. AND AFTER 15-YEARS OF GIVING HUGS, WHY THE WOMAN EVERYONE ON CAMPUS LOVES NEEDED A HUG HERSELF. AND FROM A SPRINT THROUGH SPIRIT LAKE - <3:44 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718)YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND.> TO POUNDING THE PAVEMENT IN PARNELL - <(CLIP 4718)YES, I CAN LOOK AT MY AT THE GOOGLE MAPS AND I CAN SEE OKAY, THEY HAVE A CHURCH. > AN IOWA MAN IS STRIDING THROUGH YOUR SMALL TOWN - AND SHOWING US WHY áTHIS IS IOWA.á MAGEL OPEN STANDUP 21:36:08-18Ñ <A DRAKE UNIVERSITY DINING HALL CASHIER IS LEARNING JUST HOW MUCH HER STUDENT CUSTOMERS LOVE HER. MEET MARIETTA JACKSON AND HER HER STORY BEHIND HER INFECTIOUS SMILE> <BRIAN! HOW ARE YOU? I'M DOING ALRIGHT> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A LUNCH LADY GREETED YOU BUY NAME? <HI ANTHONY. YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON TV...LAUGHS. HOW ARE YOU? GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?> MARIETTA JACKSON IS NO ORDINARY LUNCH LADY. FOR 15 YEARS SHE'S BEEN IS A POWERFUL LIGHT THAT BRIGHTENS THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY HUBBELL DINING HALL. <HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? HOW'S IT GOING MARIETTA? GOOD! THANK YOU> AND SHE MAKES EVERYBODY THAT PASSES HER CASHIER STATION FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. (CHRIS DAVIS/ DRAKE STUDENT) <SHE IS AN AMAZING WOMAN. SHE IS ALWAYS SO KIND. SHE TAKES CARE OF US AND ALWAYS MAKES YOU FEEL SPECIAL> <THEY LOVE ME. I LOVE THEM. I'M THEIR MOM AWAY FROM HOME. LAUGHS> (OKAY DJAMGOUZ/ DRAKE STUDENT) <SHE KNOWS EVERY BODIES NAME. SHE LIGHTS UP YOUR DAY. MAKES YOU FEEL WELCOME. YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS SHE IS GOING THROUGH WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH> WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH... MIGHT WIPE THAT SMILE AWAY. BUT NOT JACKSON. (MARIETTA JACKSON ) <I HAVE OVARIAN CANCER. WHICH HAS NOT BEEN PLEASANT AT ALL.> JACKSON HAS BEEN ON AND OFF THE JOB AND IN THE HOSPITAL DEALING WITH SCARY HEALTH ISSUES. <I WAS SAD, FRIGHTENED SCARED. NOT GOOD NEWS TO HEAR, NO ONE WANTS TO HER YOU HAVE CANCER> DURATION:0:08 <SEE I LIKE TO GET ALL THE SYRUP OFF THE TABLE CAUSE WE ARE GETTING READY TO SERVE LUNCH> JACKSON LEARNED OF HER DIAGNOSIS IN JANUARY. SHE STARTED CHEMO THERAPY IN FEBRUARY. <THE CHEMO MAKES YOU TIRED. NOT FEEL GOOD. BUT I WOULD RATHER BE HERE LOOKING AT THOSE SMILING FACES THAN BE AT HOME. IT BRIGHTENS MY DAY> DOCTORS ARE DISCUSSING POSSIBLE SURGERY AND MORE CHEMO. BUT THEY SAY JACKSON HAS A SPECIAL WAY TO HELP HEAL HER ILLNESS. HER ATTITUDE AND HER FAITH. <GOD WOKE ME UP THIS MORNING. AND IF I CAN GET THROUGH THIS DAY, MAYBE HE'LL GIVE ME ANOTHER DAY> EVENTUALLY DRAKE BASKETBALL PLAYER MAGGIE BAIR OPENED UP A GO FUND ME ACCOUNT FOR HER. IT'S RAISED MORE THAN DOUBLE THE ORIGINAL 15-THOUSAND DOLLAR GOAL FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES. < I FEEL SURROUNDED WITH LOVE> AND THAT LOVE IS MUTUAL. (KEESHA WARD/FORMER DRAKE UNIVERSITY STAFFER) <TO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF WARMTH AND COMFORT AND JOY COME FROM THIS ONE LITTLE BODY IS SOMETHING THAT I FEEL EVERYBODY LOOKS FORWARD TO. I KNOW I LOOK FORWARD TO IT> JACKSON SAYS SHE IS TRYING TO WORK AS MUCH AS SHE CAN THROUGH HER DIAGNOSIS. AND SHE ASKED US TO LET HER SEND A MESSAGE. <I FEEL THEIR PRAYERS. AND I AM TRULY BLESSED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SAY THANK YOU! THANK YOU...GIGGLES> A SPECIAL PERSON, SURROUNDED BY HER SPECIAL STUDENTS IN THE LUNCH ROOM. <CAN I HAVE A HUG? I LOVE YOU GUYS. I LOVE YOU TOO> <JACKSON CLEARLY APPRECIATES ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT SHE IS GETTING HERE AT THE DRAKE DINING HALL AND SHE WILL NEED THAT LOVE AS HER CANCER TREATMENTS CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS> YOU THINK YOU KNOW IOWA? <0736 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I'VE BEEN TO 1116 CITIES. SO PERRY'S ACTUALLY 1117> TYLER'S GOT YOU BEAT. HIS SPRINT TO EXPERIENCE EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE. AND THE GIFT HE'S GIVING BACK TO EACH ONE. <TAKE THIS IN THE DIRT. PICK UP THE PLANT.> AND WE'RE CATCHING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS. TO SEE NEW BLOOMS BEYOND THIS GREENHOUSE. <IT'S REALLY NEAT TO SEE HOW SHE HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS.> AND HOW A CARPENTER'S LIFE- CHANGING GENEROSITY KEEPS GROWING. WE'RE CHECKING BACK IN WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITES. áTHIS IS IOWAá. IOWA'S SMALL TOWNS DOT THE RURAL LANDSCAPE-- BRINGING BUSTLING BEAUTY TO THE FARM FIELDS THAT SURROUND THEM. YOU'VE PROBABLY VISITED A FEW-- MAYBE DOZENS OR HUNDREDS-- BUT WHAT ABOUT MORE THAN A THOUSAND? WHAT ABOUT áALLá OF THEM? YOU MAY SEE ONE IOWAN COMING PAST áYOUR HOUSE. WORDS CONNECT US <044 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) THEY LEFT THE TOWN AS FAST AS THEY COULD AND ALWAYS TRIED TO STAY ONE FOOT AHEAD OF THE LAW> TO THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS US. <(COVER) 0755 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I TRY TO FIND THAT HIDDEN GEM.> EACH WORD <37:15 (TIMECODE, CLIP 4719) SHOE SLIP ON> FEELS LIKE A CONNECTED STEP TO THE PAVEMENT. <BLEND SAME NAT HERE AS HE GRINDS HIS FOOT INTO THE PAVEMENT.> TYLER SULLIVAN DRAWS UP A RUNNING ROUTE SIMILAR TO HOW HE WRITES A POEM-- <3816 (TIMECODE, CLIP 4719) ITS MOSTLY THE OUTSIDES OF TOWN> FEELING EACH WORD, EACH STEP, IN EACH TOWN. WITH NO STARTING LINE, NO STARTING GUN, JUST A TAP OF THE WATCH. <40:31 TIMECODE, CLIP 4720, WHAT LITTLE NAT THERE IS HERE> AND HE'S OFF-- A SEVEN MILE SPRING MORNING JOURNEY IN PERRY. <3:44 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718)YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND. YES, I CAN LOOK AT MY AT THE GOOGLE MAPS AND I CAN SEE OKAY, THEY HAVE A CHURCH. THEY HAD THIS BUT JUST OPEN YOUR EYES. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND. > NEVER KNEW WHAT HE'D POUNDING THE PAVEMENT IN PERRY, <22:10 (CLIP TIME, GOPRO 10652) WE'RE GONNA TAKE THIS LITTLE ALLEY ON THE RIGHT> NEVER KNEW WHAT HE'D FIND LOGGING MILES IN MANNING, OR WEAVING THROUGH THE STREETS OF WEBSTER. <0909 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I LOVE IT. YOU KNOW, I LOVE JUST SUPPORTING LIKE EVERY COMMUNITY. I DON'T REALLY HAVE ONE FAVORITE ONE.> HARD TO FIND A FAVORITE-- WHEN YOU'VE LOGGED MILES IN MORE TOWNS THAN ARE ACTUALLY RECOGNIZED IN IOWA. <0736 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I'VE BEEN TO 1116 CITIES. SO PERRY'S ACTUALLY 1117> SULLIVAN ESTIMATES THE STATE HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 12- HUNDRED TOWNS, SOME AS SMALL AS ADAZA-- THE GREENE COUNTY UNINCORPORATED TOWN NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN ITS WELCOME SIGN. <0811 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I SEE LIKE A SMALL TOWN. AND I GO OVER THERE AND SEE IF IT HAS A WELCOME SIGN-- BECAUSE IF IT HAS A WELCOME SIGN THEN I COUNT IT.> HE RUNS IN AREA 5K'S-- VISITS COUNTLESS MUSEUMS-- EXPLORES THE HISTORY-- AND MEETS THE PEOPLE OF IOWA. POSTING ALL OF HIS FINDINGS ON FACEBOOK-- FOR HIS 11-THOUSAND FOLLOWERS TO SEE. <1319 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I TAKE PICTURES OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM, THE CHURCHES IN TOWN, THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND ANYTHING ELSE I FIND ALONG THE WAY> <1533 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) I FEEL LIKE THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GO TO THESE COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, FOR SOME REASON, YOU KNOW, LIKE, MY PAGE GIVES THEM A LIGHT, I GIVE THEM HOPE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT THERE IS GOODNESS IN THE WORLD,> THE RUNS AREN'T JUST FOR FACEBOOK POSTS AND PHOTOS FOR FANS. TO RUN IN EVERY IOWA TOWN-- SULLIVAN, OF COURSE, HAS TO VISIT EACH IOWA COUNTY. AND FOR EACH OF THE 99-- SULLIVAN PENS A POEM-- TO REMEMBER HIS VISIT. <RUNNING NATS, BLEND THIS HERE WITH RUNNING NATS AND POEM NATS?> DALLAS COUNTY'S POEM IS ABOUT THE SHOOTOUT BETWEEN BONNIE AND CLYDE'S BARROW GANG AND POLICE IN DEXFIELD PARK NORTH OF DEXTER. <058 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) SOMEONE FOUND THEM-- AND IT ENDED DEADLY. SOME OF THE GANG MEMBERS WERE SHOT AND KILLED.> NOW JUST ETCHED IN A STONE MEMORY-- PART OF HISTORY HAPPENED HERE. <0123 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) YOU MAY WANT TO STOP. YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT BONNIE AND CLYDE. WHAT A REMARKABLE STORY IN ITSELF.> AS SULLIVAN LOGS MORE MILES IN DALLAS COUNTY-- AND ACROSS THE STATE-- HE HOPES HIS JOURNEY INSPIRES IOWANS TO EXPLORE MORE. <1148 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE A SMARTPHONE THESE DAYS, WE ALL SHOULD CHECK OUT TO SEE WHAT SPECIAL BECAUSE YOU GREW UP HERE. > <(COVER) 1200 (CLIP TIME, CLIP 4718) FROM THERE, JUST VISIT MORE OF YOUR COUNTY. EVERY COUNTY HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR. > SULLIVANS RUN ENDS ABOUT THE SAME WAY AS IT BEGINS-- WITH NO CHEERING SECTION, AND NO FINISH LINE. <3720 (CLIP 4738) AHHH COME ON, 300 METERS> ON THIS DAY-- <QUICK RAIN NAT> A RAINY LAP DOES THE TRICK. <RAIN NAT FROM GOPRO CLIP 10661> BECAUSE HERE-- THE JOURNEY IS THE GOAL <38:47 (CLIP 4739) WATCH DING> JUST LIKE THE WORDS CONNECT US TO A POEM. TAG SULLIVAN PLANS TO PUBLISH HIS POEMS IN SEPARATE BOOKS FOR DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE. THE FIRST BOOK-- FEATURING POEMS FOR EACH COUNTY IN NORTHWEST IOWA IS WRITTEN AND SHOULD BE PUBLISHED SOON. SULLIVAN HAS HIT 93 OF IOWA'S 99 COUNTIES-- AND MORE THAN 11- HUNDRED TOWNS. HE EXPECTS TO RUN A MILE IN HIS FINAL TOWN IN 2025. REMEMBER THE IOWA CARPENTER WHO PAID THE FULL COLLEGE BILL FOR 33 IOWA STUDENTS? KIRA SURE DOES! <PEOPLE DON'T DO THIS, BUT DALE DID.> WE'RE CATCHING BACK UP WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITES. THE NEXT CHAPTERS IN THE LIVES OF CHARACTERS WE'VE MET OVER THE LAST DECADE. áTHIS IS IOWA.á I'VE MET THOUSANDS OF IOWANS WHILE TELLING THIS IS IOWA STORIES FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS - AND SOME OF THOSE STORIES KEEP GETTING BETTER AFTER OUR STORIES AIR. LIKE THE ONE IN 2015 THAT TOOK US TO THE GREENHOUSE. IN GREENHOUSES ACROSS IOWA - <AND FOUR OF THESE PLEASE.> YOU'LL FIND POTENTIAL IN EVERY POT. <WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF VEGETABLE PLANTS THAT YOU CAN PLANT IN THE GARDEN.> COLORFUL BLOSSOMS, READY TO GROW. <SNAPDRAGONS.> JUST LIKE THE GREENTHUMB WE FIRST MET IN 2015 WHO ACTED LIKE SHE RUNS THE PLACE. BECAUSE... SHE DOES. <I AM A BOSS.> MARISSA SCHLETZBAUM'S ONLY TWO EMPLOYEES? <MY MOM AND DAD.> ARE HER PARENTS - WHO PLANTED THE SEEDS FOR THIS YEARS AGO. <SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT WITH SOMEONE LIKE MARISSA, WHAT IS THE BEST?> WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, THEY NOTICED SHE LOVED GETTING HER FINGERS DIRTY AND SPREADING SMILES. <LAUGH.> SO HER DAD RETIRED EARLY, HER MOM DID THE HOMEWORK AND TOGETHER, THEY INVESTED IN A DREAM. <YOU JUST TRY AND DO THE BEST FOR ALL OF YOUR KIDS SO THEY CAN GROW AND DEVELOP.> MARISSA'S STRAW HAT FARMS IN PLEASANTVILLE GREW. <IT NEEDS WATER.> WHICH IS INCREDIBLE GIVEN HER ABILITIES IN THIRD GRADE. <THEY WERE WORKING ON COUNTING TO 100 WITH HER AND SHE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH 15. COULDN'T GET PAST 15.> A PROBLEM SOLVED-- <33 DOLLARS AND 46.> ONCE CUSTOMERS KEPT HER SPECIALLY DESIGNED I-PAD CASH REGISTER HUMMING. <WELL, I'D SAY YOU'RE PRETTY GOOD AT THIS JOB BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME THAT.> WITH CUSTOMERS PICKING UP MORE THAN PETUNIAS. THEY ALSO GET A LESSON IN ABILITIES. <THE MORE THEY'RE EXPOSED TO IT, THE MORE THEY GET IT. THE MORE SHE'S EXPOSED TO IT, THE MORE SHE GETS IT.> NOW, MARISSA HAS EIGHT MORE YEARS OF SPRING EXPERIENCE. <YEAH, I LIKE THIS JOB.> AND HER RESPONSIBILITIES- - <TAKE THIS IN THE DIRT. PICK UP THE PLANT.> HAVE GROWN TOO. <PUT THE FLOWERS IN THE POTS.> MARISSA'S GREENHOUSE NOW SUPPLIES FARMERS MARKETS AND RESTAURANTS WITH VEGETABLES FROM HER NEW HOOP BUILDING OUT BACK. AND BY APRIL-- <MARISSA IS VERY GOOD AND METICULOUS ABOUT MIXING THE GROWING MEDIUM.> SHE'S MIXING, TRANSPLANTING AND WATERING. <I DO LIKE WATERING BECAUSE WE WATER A LOT OF STUFF.> <SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.> BUT THE LAST DECADE'S HELPED HER GROW OUTSIDE THE GREENHOUSE TOO. SHE WAS NAMED BIG 12 SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR! <85,000 PEOPLE IN TEXAS STADIUM ARE GIVING HER A STANDING OVATION. UH, YOU JUST SOAK IT IN. BUT IN THE GREENHOUSE, IT'S THAT WAY EVERY DAY. (57) AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT WORTHWHILE.> BECAUSE MARISSA'S PARENTS KNOW THIS WASN'T ALWAYS POSSIBLE. <BACK IN THE DAY WHEN I WAS A KID, UH, THERE WERE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.> NOW THOSE OPPORTUNITIES KEEP GROWING. <IT'S JUST A GOOD THING.> JUST LIKE THE BOSS. AND THEN THERE'S THE THIS IS IOWA STORY THAT WENT GLOBAL AFTER WE FIRST SHARED IT IN 2019. IT TURNS OUT ONE MAN'S MASSIVE GENEROSITY KEEPS SPREADING. IN HIGH SCHOOL, KIRA CONARD WAS STUCK. THE WINTERSET NATIVE HAD THE GRADES TO BE A THERAPIST - BUT NOT THE TUITION MONEY. <SO I GREW UP IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD AND I HAD THREE OLDER SISTERS SO PAYING FOR ALL FOUR OF US WAS NEVER AN OPTION.> SO AT HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY, SHE WAS PREPARING TO BREAK THE NEWS - COLLEGE WASN'T POSSIBLE. <ALMOST MADE ME FEEL POWERLESS. LIKE I WANT TO DO THIS. I HAVE THIS GOAL BUT I CAN'T GET THERE JUST BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL PART.> BUT THAT'S WHEN HER PHONE RANG. <AND I BROKE DOWN INTO TEARS IMMEDIATELY.> THE MAN ON THE OTHER END DROPPED THE NAME - DALE SCHROEDER. <HE WAS QUIET. DALE WAS VERY SHY.> THIS MAN KIRA HAD NEVER MET GREW UP POOR, NEVER MARRIED AND WORKED AS A CARPENTER FOR 67 YEARS AT THE SAME DES MOINES BUSINESS. á <HE WAS THAT KIND OF A BLUE COLLAR, LUNCH PAIL KIND OF GUY. WENT TO WORK EVERY DAY. WORKED REALLY HARD. WAS FRUGAL. LIKE A LOT OF IOWANS.> AND, TEN YEARS BEFORE KIRA'S DILEMMA, HAD WALKED INTO HIS LAWYER'S OFFICE. <HE SAID, 'I NEVER GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE. SO I'D LIKE TO HELP KIDS GO TO COLLEGE.'> THEN CAME THE JAW-DROPPER. ááá <FINALLY, I WAS CURIOUS AND I SAID, 'HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE, DALE' AND HE SAID, 'OH, JUST SHY OF 3 MILLION DOLLARS.' AND I NEARLY FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR.> WHEN DALE DIED IN 2005, THE GUY WHO OWNED TWO PAIR OF JEANS-- <HE HAD CHURCH JEANS AND WORK JEANS.> LEFT BEHIND A RUSTY CHEVY TRUCK - AND INSTRUCTIONS TO SEND SMALL TOWN IOWA KIDS TO COLLEGE. <HE WANTED TO HELP KIDS THAT WERE LIKE HIM, THAT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE BUT FOR HIS GIFT.> KIDS LIKE KIRA. <FOR A MAN THAT WOULD NEVER MEET ME TO GIVE ME BASICALLY A FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE. () THAT'S INCREDIBLE! THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN!> BUT FOR 14 YEARS-- <LONG TIME NO SEE.> IT HAS. <GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.> <WE'RE IN PELLA.> <I'M TRAVELLING TO BOSTON EVERY WEEK NOW.> DALE SCHOEDER'S OBITUARY SAYS HE DIED HAVING NO DESCENDANTS. <SHE SLEPT THE WHOLE WAY HERE.> BUT THE 33 IOWANS WHO GATHERED AROUND HIS LUNCH BOX WHEN HIS MONEY FINALLY RAN OUT DISAGREED. THEY CALL THEMSELVES DALE'S KIDS. <DALE WOULD BE EXTREMELY PROUD.> THE MAN THEY NEVER MET CHANGED THE COURSE OF EVERY LIFE IN THE ROOM. BUT THEY FOUND OUT THERE WAS A STRING ATTACHED. <ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU PAY IT FORWARD. (14) YOU CAN'T PAY IT BACK, BECAUSE DALE IS GONE, BUT YOU CAN REMEMBER HIM AND YOU CAN EMULATE HIM.> EXACTLY WHAT KIRA HAS DONE SINCE WE FIRST SHARED HER STORY. <SINCE I WAS 12 YEARS OLD, I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST.> DIPLOMAS NOW HANG ON THE WALL OF HER WEST DES MOINES OFFICE ABOVE KIDS FIDGET TOYS AND KLEENEX BOXES. <MY CLIENTS HAVE FACED A LOT OF HARDSHIPS. BUT THE COOL PART IS THE RESILIENCY. IT'S THEIR DETERMINATION, THEIR MOTIVATION, THEIR TENACITY, THEIR THEIR SOUL.> EIGHT YEARS AFTER SHE WAS CONVINCED HER DREAM WOULD NEVER COME TRUE, SHE'S LIVING IT. HELPING IOWANS GET THROUGH THEIR DARKEST DAYS. <THIS IS WHERE I GET TO PASS ON THE TORCH, RIGHT?> AND KIRA STILL WONDERS... <HOW WOULD DALE FEEL KNOWING THAT WE ARE LIVING THIS DREAM THAT THAT WE TOOK WHAT HE GAVE AND WE'RE WE'RE RUNNING WITH IT AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE AS MUCH CHANGE AS POSSIBLE. YOU'RE KIND OF LIVING HIS DREAM. YES. YEAH. YEAH. THAT. THAT HAS NOT FALLEN SHORT ON ME. YES, I AM LIVING HIS DREAM.> BECAUSE A CARPENTER KIRA NEVER MET GAVE IT ALL AWAY. <PEOPLE DON'T DO THIS, BUT DALE DID.> FROM FULL-RIDES TO COLLEGE TO INCREDIBLE THERAPUTIC RECOVERIES, IOWANS HAVE A LOT TO BE GRATEFUL FOR. AND THE LO