Giving Where She Lives: Gale Gehling’s Mission to Put Books in Kids’ Hands

Give Where You Live. 

That’s the motto Gale Gehling ascribes to each and every day. She believes that if her community thrives, so will her family and her business. 

For Gale, being a REALTOR® has always been about more than real estate, it’s about investing in the people and places that make a community feel like home.

That commitment to service was recently recognized when Gale received the Humanitarian Award from the Ames Human Relations Commission, a recognition celebrating individuals who go above and beyond to promote well-being and belonging in the community.

“It was such an honor,” Gale shares. “I’ve always been committed to giving back, especially in the community where I’m raising a family and own a business.”

Gale’s journey started nearly 25 years ago when she became a REALTOR® and opened her business in Ames. But three years ago, as a milestone birthday approached, she took things a step further launching what she calls “The Fabulous 50 Project.” 

The Fabulous 50 Project was Gale’s personal challenge to complete 50 acts of kindness before turning 50. Gale turned to her network for ideas, posting on social media and inviting her community to weigh in. The response was overwhelming and eye-opening, she recalls. 

“Through the ideas people shared, I discovered many organizations and opportunities I hadn't known about,” she says. “One suggestion came from an organization that needed children’s books. I began collecting gently loved books from community members, and what started as a small effort quickly grew into something much bigger.” 

That was three years ago, to-date, Gale and her community have collected more than 52,000 children’s books and shared each one with organizations, students, teachers and families who need them, reaching communities from Ames to Belize. 

“When children grow up without books in their homes, the impact goes far beyond academics,” Gale says. “It affects their development, emotional growth, and long-term economic opportunities. Access to books is one of the strongest predictors of educational success across all income levels. Because of that, my mission remains to put books into the hands of as many children as possible.” 

Gale explains that her work as a REALTOR® has played a critical role in expanding that impact. 

Guided by her motto, Gale has built a strong network across Ames. While those connections have helped her reach more people and grow her outreach in ways she never imagined, it has also strengthened her business. 

“In real estate, trust is everything,” Gale says. “I’ve found that consistently showing up for my community through volunteering, giving back, and supporting local efforts has helped build that trust. People know that I care deeply about the place we all call home, and that makes a meaningful difference in both my work and my ability to give back.” 

For Gale, serving clients and serving the community go hand-in-hand. 

“As a REALTOR®, my job is about much more than helping someone buy or sell a house, it’s about helping people feel connected to the place they call home,” she says. “When I serve my community through volunteering and outreach, I’m investing in the same neighborhoods where my clients live, work, and raise their families.”

“Community involvement also allows me to build genuine relationships with people. It helps me better understand the needs of the families, schools, and organizations in Ames, which ultimately makes me a better advocate for my clients.” 

Her advice for other REALTORS® who want to get involved is simple: start with passion.

“Life is busy,” she says. “If you’re going to dedicate your time and energy to a cause or project, it should be one you believe in and genuinely enjoy being part of. If you see a need, don’t be afraid to dive in and make a difference.” 

She also encourages REALTORS® to make it a family affair.

“And if you have kids or grandkids like I do, involve them,” she says. “Turn your volunteer efforts into family time. It’s a meaningful way to spend time together and a powerful opportunity for kids to learn the value of kindness, generosity, and community by watching your example.”