As we move through the early months of 2026, our team has enjoyed a meaningful start to the year—both in the office and out in the community. From travel and events to client engagement and continued growth, here’s a look at what we’ve been up to in the first quarter.
Community, Travel & Events
We kicked off the year with a strong focus on service, connection, and experiences.
In early January, Sam traveled with Many Hands for Haiti on a mission trip to Abaco, Bahamas—an opportunity to serve alongside others and make a meaningful impact in the community.
Zach participated in Career Days at Pella High School, speaking with students about career paths, financial decision‑making, and the importance of building healthy financial habits early in life.
February brought a mix of celebration and family time. Zach and Sam, along with their wives, attended an oceanside wedding in Sarasota, Florida, and extended the trip with family time in Marco Island—an especially memorable experience as it marked Stetson’s first plane ride.
Back home, Zach joined his men’s Contributors Breakfast Club team in the Can Play Courage on the Court 2026 basketball tournament, an event centered around community, competition, and supporting a great cause.
Amy shared that the Pella Hoops Club wrapped up another fun and successful basketball season—adding another trophy to the shelf. She also celebrated a family milestone as KJ turned 2 at the end of the quarter.
In March, Zach, Sam, their wives, and Ross traveled to McKinney, Texas to celebrate the wedding of longtime family friends. The group spent the weekend exploring the area and enjoying time together.
Closer to home, our office had some fun with our annual March Madness bracket challenge. Congratulations to Hannah Vande Weerd, who came out on top this year—even with Iowa State as her champion.
During Spring Break, Tricia and her family enjoyed a trip to Galveston, Texas. She finally had the chance to take a beach cruiser out for a ride—something she’s always wanted to do.
We were also proud to support the community by sponsoring a table at the Pella Opera House Diamonds and Denim Gala, which raised an impressive $45,000 to support its mission and continued impact in the community.
What’s on the Horizon
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue connecting with clients in more personal ways.
We recently sent out an invitation to join Sam or Zach for a round of golf at Bos Landen. If you’d like to schedule a time, you can do so here:
- Golf with Sam Vande Weerd, Managing Partner, Wealth Advisor
- Golf with Zach Vande Weerd, CPA, Wealth Advisor, Director of Financial Planning
Client Stories & Behind the Scenes
On March 13, we spent the day working with Good Era to capture new branding content and client stories. This was an exciting step in helping us better share the impact of financial planning and the stories behind it.
We encourage you to check out one of our latest client testimonials from Dr. Eric Recker and his wife, Amy.
We value feedback and would appreciate if you would take a moment to leave us a Google Review. And if you’d ever be open to sharing your story through a video testimonial, please let us know—we’d love the opportunity to highlight your journey and help more families find financial freedom.
Financial Planning Tip
Now that we’ve passed the April 15 tax deadline, this is an ideal time to revisit your return with your advisor.
A second look can uncover valuable planning opportunities—helping minimize taxes, maximize wealth, and bring greater clarity to your overall financial strategy. You may hear from our team requesting a copy of your return as part of keeping your plan aligned and optimized.
To stay informed on market trends and how they may impact your financial plan, we also recommend tuning into the Facts vs. Feelings Podcast, which breaks down economic headlines and investor behavior in a practical, easy‑to‑understand way.
Did You Know?
Carson Wealth’s home office is based in Omaha, Nebraska. Through this partnership, we have access to a wide range of specialized professionals, including estate planning experts, in-house CPAs for tax strategy, insurance specialists, and more—all working together to support your financial goals.
Take Action Now
If you have legal documents (such as wills, trusts, or powers of attorney) that our team does not currently have on file, we encourage you to bring them into the office.
Our in-house legal resources can review these documents to help ensure they align with your goals, objectives, and overall financial plan.
Team Update
As we wrap up the first quarter, we’re excited to celebrate a milestone within our team.
Bryce Haessig, Marketing Intern, has been leading our social media efforts and helping create content like this quarterly blog, will be graduating from Central College this May with a degree in Business Management and Marketing.
During his time with Carson Wealth, Bryce has helped grow our presence across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram—sharing community‑focused, educational, and client‑centered content. He has also supported email communications and event planning.
If there’s anything you need or if you’d like to connect, we’re always here to help.
