Carl Ehry: "I worry about money, it's my nature."

"He said, 'I'll be right back.' and he just walked away.

"Later he came back and said, 'You have an appointment tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. with John K. Hansen (chairman, Winnebago Industries).'

"The next morning I went to the Winnebago display and found Mr. Hansen in a motorhome. I said, 'Mr. Hansen, Warren Jones said you would meet with me.'

"He said, 'Yes, I don't know why; that's a Midwest club thing. I have a hospital I support in Forest City (Iowa) and my college, and I've got a church at home and a church in Florida and they need help right now. However, why don't you write me a letter and I will give you a little gift.'

"I said, 'Mr. Hansen, I'd like to come and see you.'

"He said, 'I'm only going to be in Forest City two more weeks then I'm out of there for five months.'

"I said, "Can I come next week?'

"He said, 'Call my secretary and make an appointment. I'll see you.'

"The appointment was for Monday morning so I went up on a Sunday night. I woke up every hour because I was so nervous. I went in and said, 'Mr. Hansen, before we start, I'd like you to pray with me -- not for you but for me because I'm a nervous wreck.'"

Ehry laughed as he remembered Hansen's response. Ehry continued, "He said, 'The last guy that prayed with me took me for three million dollars.'

"Afterward, he said, 'What's your background?'

"I said, 'I grew up in North Dakota; I was with the Salvation Army for 12 years and then with United Way. Now, I am with the RV/MH Hall of Fame, and we have this national raffle to sell tickets and raise money to help fund the programs.'

"I laid out a list of people and companies that had made a contribution and also a bunch of magazines showing ads promoting the raffle. I intended to ask him to helps us financially because we had to extend the raffle and needed funds to survive until it was concluded.

"Before I could say anything he said, 'Boy, that's impressive.' Then he called to Fred Dorhman, then president of Winnebago. He said, 'Fred, come in here. Look at this. These guys have a lot of support out there.'

"I said, 'I had to extend the raffle three months because I only sold 500 tickets -- I've got to try to sell 4,000.'

"He said, 'How much do you need?'

"I said, 'I need $30,000 -- $10,000 a month to stay alive until March.'

"He picked up the contributor list and glanced at the names. Then he said, 'So Tom Corson gave $1,000, huh?'

"He said, 'Fred, give him a check for $31,000 -- I'll match Corson's gift.'

"I walked over and gave him a hug.

Al Hesselbart, vice president: "I'd rather work with people than things."

"He said, 'Carl, I'm a little embarrassed -- I should have given you more.'

"I said, 'No, Mr. Hansen. I am thrilled. Until we build credibility we cannot command that kind of consideration -- right now I'm just trying to stay alive until my raffle ends.'

"I went downstairs and they handed me a check for $31,000."

That turned out to be a major turning point for the Heritage Foundation. It gave Ehry and the foundation a little breathing room. Then in March when the raffle ended there were only 2,000 tickets sold. That netted the foundation $80,000. But in subsequent years the raffle has been a significant funding source. In 1996, the foundation's contribution from the raffle was $130,000 and in 1997 they matched that figure.

In the meantime, the manufactured housing industry has become a major supporter. In addition to 22 state associations making annual pledges, the national association, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), pledged $25,000 unencumbered and an additional $50,000 challenge grant if the RV industry would match it. RVIA and RVDA accepted the challenge and pledged $50,000.

So between the generous contributions of individuals, companies and organizations as well as revenues from the annual raffle, the foundation's financial crisis seems to be past.

The foundation's programs include a library filled with industry history, periodicals and memorabilia; an impressive and growing museum and, of course, the Hall of Fame. In addition the foundation has expanded the staff. Al Hesselbart, who had worked many years with Ehry when Ehry was with United Way and Al headed the area Boy Scouts of America programs, is vice president of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation.

There is excellent respect and rapport between the two; Carl focuses on fund-raising, industry relations and planning, while Al manages the facilities, conducts tours for visitors to the museum and is curator of the foundation's library. Al told RV News in his opinion, Carl Ehry is one of the best fund raisers in the country. Carl told RV News, "Al is a people person and he loves history. He is great with the people who come to the museum because he has immersed himself into the history available in the library. He's incredible!" Continued