Funding Research
Childhood cancers receive a small fraction of overall research funding. The foundation puts money directly toward changing that, and toward finding a cure.
Forever Austin Strong
You'll see the logo on our wall, on our shirts and on the menu. Here's why it matters to us.
How it started
A family up the road
Sally bought the restaurant in 2012. Not long after she opened the doors, friends from Monticello came to her with news about their young son, Austin Smith. Here is how Sally tells the rest.
“We've held fundraisers for the school and the fire department. And shortly after our opening, friends from Monticello told me their young son, Austin Smith, had an inoperable brain tumor.”
“I naturally wanted to help the family with a fundraiser, and folks from Springville and other communities really came together to support this child. It's so rewarding experiencing the kindness of others.”
Sally helped Austin's parents set up the Austin Strong Foundation in his memory. It funds research into childhood cancer and supports the families living through it.
Sally's words above are quoted from her interview in Our Iowa magazine, “My Favorite Ma & Pa Restaurant,” October/November 2022. More from that piece →
The foundation
What Austin Strong does
The foundation works on DIPG, a childhood cancer that gets a fraction of the research funding it needs. It pushes on three fronts.
Advocating Awareness
Most people have never heard of DIPG until it reaches their own family. The foundation exists to change that, and to make the funding gap impossible to ignore.
Supporting Families
A diagnosis upends everything. The foundation provides a support system for families going through what Austin's family went through.
Get involved
Where you'll find them
Ride & Drive Like A Superhero
Every spring
The ride Sally wears the shirt for. Bikes, cars and a whole lot of capes.
Ice Fishing Tournament
Every February
Now in its ninth year.
Christmas toy drive
Every December
Toys for the children's oncology floor.
Austin Smith Inclusive Playground
Monticello
A playground built so every child can use it, in Austin's name.
Every one of these is run by the foundation, not by us. The best thing we can do from here is point you at them.
Visit austinstrong.org#ForeverAustinStrong