Wadena Update

The response to our online Wadena Relief Fund has been truly amazing! Because of this and an additional $5,000 in matching funds from the Minnesota Power Foundation we've decided to increase the goal to $25,000. (The original goal of $12,500, set by matching funds from us and West Central Initiative, was completely smashed within just 24 hours of announcing the online challenge.)

I think it's safe to say that community spirit is alive and well in Minnesota!

The supporters and followers on our GiveMN page really say it best though. If you have a few minutes to read their comments, it's well worth it! (visit: http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Wadena-Tornado-Relief-Fund)

And please help spread the word about this fund or other ways to help. I just spoke with a longtime Wadena resident this morning who quite simply said, "there's just a lot of heartache."

For more info about Wadena, the tornado & the recovery efforts visit the City of Wadena's website: www.wadena.org or the Wadena Pioneer Journal's website: www.wadenapj.com.


TO HELP WADENA:

Donations via credit card:
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Wadena-Tornado-Relief-Fund

Donations via check or cash:
Wadena Tornado Relief Fund
c/o Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank
PO Box 152
Wadena, MN 56482
218-631-1414

Volunteering time or donating items:
Call United Way at 2-1-1 (from land line) or 1-800-534-7709 (from a cell) to get more details, up to date information and to make arrangements.

Thank you for your support!

Wadena's Tornado Relief

On Thursday, June 17th a devastating F4 tornado struck the city of Wadena, a city of 4,300 about 50 miles northwest of Little Falls.

According to Wadena County sources, the 1-mile by 10-mile tornado touched down at 5:10 p.m. and cut through both residential and commercial areas.

Thankfully (and amazingly), only minor injuries were reported but the city suffered extensive damage. Wadena-Deer Creek High School, the Wadena Community Center, Minnesota State Community College, the Wadena County Fairgrounds, the city cemetery and other areas all suffered severe damage. At least 235 homes were either damaged or destroyed.

Caring neighbors in Minnesota and beyond are now able to immediately help the residents of Wadena!

The Initiative Foundation, in partnership with the City of Wadena and the Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank, is now accepting donations to the Wadena Tornado Relief Fund. (download the news release to read more...)

The Initiative Foundation and West Central Initiative will match the first $12,500 in online donations made at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Wadena-Tornado-Relief-Fund.

GiveMN.org, a Minnesota-based nonprofit giving portal, also allows donors to share the cause through Facebook and other social media sites.

100 percent of tax-deductible donations will go to the City of Wadena to meet the needs of impacted families and help with volunteers and clean-up efforts.

---------------------------------
OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

Donation checks (not eligible for matching funds) may also be addressed and mailed to:

Wadena Tornado Relief Fund
c/o Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank
PO Box 152
Wadena, MN 56482
www.midcentralbank.org

If people are interested in volunteering or making donations, please call United Way at 2-1-1 (from land line) or 1-800-534-7709 (from a cell) to get more details, up to date information and to make arrangements.

Please consider helping your friends and neighbors in Wadena!

(photo by Brian Hansel/Wadena Pioneer Journal)

IOC Featured on Lakeland Public TV

Inside-Out Connections coalition members (including our own Jolene Howard) were featured on the Lakeland Currents show hosted by Ray Gildow on Thursday, May 27. Lakeland Currents is Lakeland Public Television's public affairs program based out of the Brainerd studio.

On the show they discussed our Inside-Out Connections project and the impact of parental incarceration on the lives of children. They described the work the coalitions are doing to support children, educate parents and inform the community.

Inside-Out Connections was created in 2008 and is supported, in part, by organizations like the Minneapolis Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Minnesota and Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

If you're interested in learning more about what it's all about, and have 30 minutes or so, watching the video is well worth your time! Just visit: www.lakelandptv.org.

Thanks for all of your work on such an important issue, Jolene!

"I can't imagine a better place to live."

Our very own Kathy Gaalswyk was recently featured on a new website!

Mymn.org is a new, local website that zooms in on our Minnesota communities and celebrates the reasons why we love living and working here.

The site is packed with resources and opportunities to share your story by allowing us to comment on hot topics, submit photos, videos and even get our voices heard by our elected leaders!

Mymn.org is a nonpartisan grassroots effort to unite Minnesotans around the shared goals of growing our economy, maintaining our quality of life and creating a secure future for our children.

Hear what Kathy has to say: