A fund created through the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation in honor of Doug Arndt Sr. was recently granted to the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center and Alex and Brandon Child Safety Center at the request of Arndt's family.
The fund was started with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation by Arndt's wife, Elaine Arndt, after his death as the family "loved helping others and felt it was imperative to lend a hand when possible to build community," according to a news release from BLACF.
The women's center and the Alex and Brandon Child Safety Center were two of Elaine Arndt's biggest passions, BLACF noted, and she volunteered at both organizations and went to court many times to assist women when they needed a helping hand. Elaine Arndt, a resident of Minnetonka and Gull Lake area, also served on the board of the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation from 2005-12.
After Elaine Arndt's death July 18, the balance of the Doug Arndt Sr. fund was transferred to Mid-Minnesota Women's Center and Alex and Brandon Child Safety Center.
"The funds will be used to provide emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse and to provide a family-friendly environment for supervised visitation of children," said Shannon Wussow, executive director of the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center, in a news release. "It is evident Mr. and Mrs. Arndt embraced living a meaningful and fulfilling life and passed those characteristics on to their children. All of us at Mid-Minnesota Women's Center thank the Arndt family and will remember Mr. and Mrs. Arndt fondly."
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Local organizations received thousands of dollars from the Doug Arndt fund including: Bridges of Hope, Mid-Minnesota Women's Center, Gull Lake Sailing School, Brainerd Women's Fund, BLACF Women's Fund, The Crossing Arts Alliance, city of Nisswa, Lakes Area Music Festival, Gull Chain of the Lakes, Salvation Army and others.
"Dad and Mom were probably ahead of their time in their beliefs about giving and in helping the community be strong and diverse," said their daughter, Susan Mark, in the release.
