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To celebrate 50 years of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, CEO Renee Hardman, 58, is looking 25 years ahead. 

The program sealed a time capsule that will preserve mementos for the next 25 years at their yearly Big Little Picnic at Legion Park in West Des Moines Sunday afternoon.

CEO Renee Hardman and board member Jon Swanson celebrate 50 years of the Big Brothers Big sisters of Central Iowa program at their annual Big Little Picnic Sunday afternoon. In that time, the program served more than 20,000 kids.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa "littles" placed items into the time capsule which will remain untouched in a vault at their offices for 25 years. A staff photo, letters from the current CEO and board members among other items will be preserved.

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Lucianna Bentiz, 6, checks to make sure the time capsule is locked at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa picnic. Bentiz promised she will open the capsule in 25 years for the program's 75th anniversary.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa CEO Renee Hardman joined the program 22 years ago as a mentor.

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"Littles" a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa let go of balloons at the Big Little Picnic Sunday afternoon. The program celebrated their 50 year anniversary by sealing a 25-year time capsule.

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  • CEO Renee Hardman and board member Jon Swanson celebrate 50 years of the Big Brothers Big sisters of Central Iowa program at their annual Big Little Picnic Sunday afternoon. In that time, the program served more than 20,000 kids.1 of 5
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa "littles" placed items into the time capsule which will remain untouched in a vault at their offices for 25 years. A staff photo, letters from the current CEO and board members among other items will be preserved.2 of 5
  • Lucianna Bentiz, 6, checks to make sure the time capsule is locked at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa picnic. Bentiz promised she will open the capsule in 25 years for the program's 75th anniversary.3 of 5
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa CEO Renee Hardman joined the program 22 years ago as a mentor.4 of 5
  • "Littles" a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa let go of balloons at the Big Little Picnic Sunday afternoon. The program celebrated their 50 year anniversary by sealing a 25-year time capsule.5 of 5

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Hardman joined the program as a mentor a couple days after finishing her education at Drake University. She was a “big” to the same “little” from age six to her high school graduation. Now that “little” is in her 40s.

“She’s the daughter I never had,” Hardman said. “This organization is a part of my blood. It’s a part of who I am, my DNA. Mentoring youth makes me thrive.”

In the program’s 50 years, mentors have touched the lives of more than 20,000 Iowan youths. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa is a part of a nationwide program whose founding dates back over 100 years.  

The capsule will preserve letters from Hardman and the current and past board presidents, today’s paper and a picture of the current staff, among other documents. 

Danielle Gehr is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. She can be reached by email at dgehr@dmreg.com, by phone at 515-284-8367 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.

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