Even the leprechauns are green with envy over Brainerd's response to the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign. Many thanks to the thousands of people who donated to MDA and signed paper shamrocks in businesses in February and March. Their generous participation in Shamrocks will help MDA continue to provide families affected by neuromuscular diseases in our community with valuable services.
As one of many who has a loved one affected by a neuromuscular disease, I'm genuinely grateful for the caring support of customers and employees at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and other retailers in Brainerd.
The 18th annual Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign raised more than $10 million nationally. These donations help MDA fund almost 400 research teams worldwide.
On behalf of the millions of Americans affected in some way by the more than 40 diseases covered by MDA - thank you - and may St. Patrick bless you all year long!
Maureen McGovern
National Chairperson
MDA Shamrocks Against Dystrophy
Kinship Partners
One way to celebrate the last day of winter is go for a swim. That's just what a group of 22 children and adults from Kinship Partners got to do on March 19, thanks to the generosity of the folks at the Brainerd Ramada Inn. A special thank you to Ramada staff, Terri and Angie, who helped set it up.
Having a healthy, active event is really great for our kids, and the adults had a terrific time, too! Thanks, also, to Brenda DeWitt for her help with "lifeguard" duties, and to Denny Schmidt, who provided a tasty snack for our hungry swimmers.
Madonna Black
Activity coordinator
Kinship Partners
Camp Confidence
Camp Confidence held its annual Racquetball Tournament on March 23, 24 and 25 at Premier Fitness in Brainerd. It was a huge success thanks to Premier Fitness staff and the many sponsors, volunteers and participants. Operations Manager at Premier Fitness, Barb Gebhard volunteered her time along with many staff members. Jerry Hanson handled registration and Rick Anderson was Tournament Director.
Sponsors for this year's event were Royal Tire, Viking Coke, Wendy's, Brainerd Medical Center, Super One Foods, St. Albans Bay Pizza, Pan O'Gold, Triangle Oil, Great Plains Graphics, Quality Vacuum, Ameripride Linen, Boardwalk Bread N Bagels, Culligan Water, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Metz Baking and of course Premier Fitness that donated the facility.
A huge thanks goes out to the many volunteers from Camp Confidence who helped serve food and beverages.
Racquetball players form around the state were treated to excellent hospitality and superb racquetball competition. The comment that this is the best tournament in the state was heard many times. Congratulations on a job well done!
Lon Schmidt
Director Special Events/Marketing
Camp Confidence
Soup Kitchen
We had another wonderful month at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, working together for the glory of God. In February we served a total of 997 meals. We were open 24 days. This represents an average of 42 meals served per day. Thanks again for all of your help in making the work here possible. Your gifts of time and of financial support are what makes this operation a success.
This month I will attend a Food Handling Certification course being offered at 2nd Harvest Food Bank in Grand Rapids, Minn. God willing, I'll be "certified." I know some of you are thinking this man has certainly been "certifiable" (as insane) for a long time. Well, I guess the time has come to make it official.
Special thanks are due this month to Rohlfing's for allowing us the opportunity to staff the food booth at their annual Trade and Hospitality Show. We thank Tom Chesley (our intrepid board president), Jennifer Evans, Eric Boberg, John and Florence Nelson, Mary Benson, Lorraine Warnberg, Rhodie Halverson and Winnie Larson for sharing the serving duties. $320.00 was donated over the two days we served.
We also thank the following people/organizations for food donations: The Alvin Larson family, Roger and Marilyn Bernu, Cub Scout Pack 83, Bethlehem Lutheran, First Lutheran, Crisis Line, Bethany Good Samaritan Home.
We thank the Brainerd Jaycees for including us among the many organizations they support through the Ice Fishing Extravaganza. Thanks for the privilege of working with you all.
Bob Evans
Manager
Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen
Brainerd
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