Every year the Sons of Norway in Detroit Lakes holds a silent auction in April to raise money for the foundation. Through this foundation, the lodge is able to support important works in the community helping to bring much needed services and support to those in need. Here are a few recent donations from the foundation.
Sons of Norway members Faye Johnson, Carol Turner, Sons of Norway Foundation Director, President Joe Merseth and Will Johnson present Pat Peterman with a check for $200 for the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Detroit Lakes & Perham serve over 750 children from Becker and Otter Tail Counties in Minnesota. Their Clubs provide structured after school and summer programming for children between 5 and 18 years of age. School year programming is offered between September and May, and summer programming is offered between June and August.
Their caring, professional staff work hard to offer fun and meaningful activities that help children succeed academically, practice healthy lifestyles, and develop good character and citizenship. Their programs seek to help children develop competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence in order to enhance their self-esteem – ultimately helping them achieve their full potential as young men and women.
Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place for children to learn and grow – all while having the time of their lives. Our Clubs are places where great futures begin each and every day.
Learn More About The Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes and Perham
LuAnn Porter, Executive Director of United Way of Becker County, Abby Pettit, board member of United Way of Becker County and Director of the Becker County Food for Thought Back Pack Program receive a check for $200 from Sons of Norway foundation chair Carol Turner and members Deeann Gottsman and Bonnie Mohs. Bonnie also serves as a board member of the United Way of Becker County.
The United Way of Becker County partners with local programs to provide a safety net for the community through education, collaboration and program building. One example is the Becker County Food for Thought Back Pack Program. This program provides food for qualifying children K-5th grade for the weekend over the school year.
Learn More About The United Way of Becker County
Sons of Norway members Will Johnson, and Karen Merseth presenting a check for $150 to Mark Gloege and Kari Stattelman for Fly Time for special needs students at Minnesota Flyers Gymnastics.
Minnesota Flyers Gymnastics provides gymnastics and fitness programming for all levels. Classes run daily, with open gym on most Saturdays. Their Fly Time program was created recently to provide a unique and special opportunity for children with development and physical special needs to learn movement and fitness training creating a place where all abilities are celebrated.
Learn More About Minnesota Flyers Gymnastics
Sons of Norway members Karen Merseth, Carol Turner Joe Merseth presenting Jack Berenz with check for $200 for the Becker County Food Pantry.
Since 1983 the Becker County Food Pantry has been serving the low-income residents of Becker County with food and supplies for sustaining a healthy life in times of need. In 2016, 431,772 pounds of food were distributed to 17,667 individuals, most of them children. Demand has grown significantly in the last six years; the number of individuals benefiting from the food pantry have more than doubled. Our donation helps to maximize the impact for those most in need. Due to partnerships with North Country Food Bank, Central Market, Wal-Mart, and the USDA, the Becker County Food Pantry is able to make the most of every dollar. Ground Beef, canned foods, and vegetables costs them just 14 cents a pound.
Consider Making A Gift to the Becker County Food Pantry via GiveMN
Pete Granger from Let’s Go Fishing with Sons of Norway Foundation Director, Carol Turner along with members Jim and Gerry Langemo present a check for $100 to support their efforts.
Let’s Go Fishing is an organization that provides fishing and cruises around Lake Detroit each summer. They make over 200 trips each summer providing rides for nursing home residents, group home residents, boys and girls club members all free of charge. Our donation will help pay for expenses such as gas and pontoon upkeep.
Learn more about Let’s Go Fishing
Lakes Crisis & Resource Center receives items for their clients from Sons of Norway foundation funds, Anna Sellin , Beve Melgaard & Carol Turner.
Lakes Crisis & Resource Center is a nonprofit community advocacy program providing direct services to women, men and children who are victims of abuse, sexual assault and general crimes. In addition, they operate a parenting time center, Kinship – a mentoring program for youth, support groups on site and in area schools, mental health services, a domestic violence shelter, and a number of other collaborative programs to serve the community.
Learn more about Lakes Crisis & Resource Center