By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
It is better to give than to receive.
Members of the Caledonia Charities board hope persons living in the community will remember that little saying we were all taught in Sunday school during the upcoming weeks. The annual solicitation letters will be sent out in the mail this week, and the annual community fundraising event will be underway.
“Our goal is to raise $10,000 again this year. That was our goal in 2007, and we gave out $9,900 to local charities and non-profit organizations,” Caledonia Charities President Steve Buttell reported. “Almost 100 percent of the money we raise stays right here in the Caledonia area. We feel it’s important for people to know where their money is going.”
Buttell listed the main recipients of their annual fund drive as: Camp Winnebago, Houston County Care and Share, Semcac Food Shelf and Emergency Services, Woodland Industries/ABC Works, Caledonia Care and Rehab’s Home Delivered Meals program, the local Boy Scout Troop, and the American Red Cross.
What the recipients said
“Most of the donations we receive at Camp Winnebago help pay for our camperships,” Camp Winnebago Executive Director Randi Gustafson said. “Our scholarships to help pay for our camperships are based on income. Some individuals qualify for full scholarships, while others receive half scholarships. Overall, we receive about $60,000 each year in donations, all of which goes to send more persons to camp. The money we receive from Caledonia Charities is very instrumental in providing camperships. And, it is very much appreciated by our staff and the campers.”
Judy Wandling of Woodland Industries/ABC Works said the funds they receive from Caledonia Charities help support adults with disabilities achieve employment goals.
“We use the money to help train disabled persons. It is a great help to our programs,” Wandling said. She added ABC Works personnel did all the collating and envelope stuffing for massive solicitation mailing.
“The money we receive is very much appreciated. It helps us purchase toys and clothing items for the less fortunate children of Houston County,” Jill Hahn of Houston County Care and Share noted.
Donna Pearson, food service director at Caledonia Care and Rehab said the money they receive from Caledonia Charities is used during various holidays to brighten their home delivered meals clients.
“It might be the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, when we do something special,” Pearson said. “We usually make up some care packages that include gift cards, books of stamps, special food items, like cookies, teas, apple sauce, maybe a little cup and saucer. Just little things that they might like, or find useful. And the people we serve are so appreciative. They look forward to those special days. Caledonia Charities is a great community program!”
Jan Palen of the Semcac Food Shelf and Emergency Services reported they purchase soaps, personal care items, diapers, and other items that most people don’t donate during food drives. The Emergency Services staff uses the money to help persons deal with crisis situations, like utility disconnects, emergency dental or medical issues, or evictions.
“Caledonia Charities is a great program, because the money stays here, to help our local residents,”’ Palen said.
About Caledonia Charities
Caledonia Charities was started 44 years ago in Oct. 1964. Over the past five decades, the organization has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that has been distributed to local organizations. There is a 12-person board of directors, which spearheads the drive each year, and reviews the potential recipients.
Buttell serves as the president, Jean Betz is the secretary, Jean Becker is the treasurer, and the other board members include Lynn and Ken Van Den Boom, Mary Betz, Glenda Miller, Howard Medin, Jack Hauser, Wilma Schoh, Bonnie Goetzinger, and Julie Winjum.
The solicitation letters will be sent out Sept. 11 and 12, and a thermometer will be located on Main and Kingston indicating how much money has been received. Persons living outside the Caledonia area who would like to participate, can do so my sending their donations to Box 42, Caledonia, MN. 55921.
“We’ve appreciated the generosity in the past, and hope the community will continue to support Caledonia Charities,” Buttell concluded.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
