Teresa Rom and Lori Bachmann recently accepted recognition for the Koochiching County Relay for Life.
Citing outstanding contributions in the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society recently presented a Regional Division Community of Hope Award to the volunteers of the Relay For Life of Koochiching County.
The recognition was made at the 2014 Northern Minnesota Leadership Conference held in Detroit Lakes.
The Community of Hope Award is presented annually to a Relay For Life community that demonstrates leadership, initiative, and creativity to successfully implement mission-related activities in order to positively impact the cancer burden and increase American Cancer Society awareness in their community, said a news release.
“The American Cancer Society recognizes and appreciates when volunteers understand the importance of showing others how the Society is active in their community, helping friends and families every day,” said Denae Alamano, American Cancer Society staff partner. “The volunteers of Koochiching County are very deserving of this award.”
The Koochiching County volunteers work hard to raise awareness within the community, while staying focused on the mission of the American Cancer Society, said the release.
“Volunteers developed creative and exciting ways to bring more members of the community to the event and were able to raise over $31,000 for the fight against cancer,” the release described. “The volunteers continue to do a wonderful job of sharing how the money raised at their Relay For Life event is used to support local community members.”
Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer, where each year more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. To learn more about the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, visit RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-227-2345.
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.
A popular fundraiser, KAO’s Logging Camp Christmas returns Dec. 5.
A holiday celebration geared for Paul Bunyan and local loggers at heart will return for its fourth season on Dec. 5. The Logging Camp Christmas is a fundraising event to benefit local nonprofit Koochiching Aging Options.
The event offers a casual evening of old-time entertainments, good food and good cheer, according to Douglas Skrief, executive director of Koochiching Aging Options.
“The sold-out success of the last three years has inspired us to bring back this fun gathering,” said Skrief, adding that there will be entertainment throughout the evening along with fundraising activities in a logging camp setting. Most of the 140 guests come to the event wearing lumberjack plaids, he said.
“Koochiching Aging Options is devoted to supporting older Koochiching County citizens and their families,” noted KAO Board Chair Susan Congrave. “The dinner is a chance to help support the organization – and have a fun evening out.”
Programs of Koochiching Aging Options include Groceries to You!, Senior Wheels, and the Senior Companion Program. It has also been the lead agency for the Greater International Falls Act on Alzheimer’s initiative.
“The generosity of the community in supporting this event is amazing,” Skrief said. “Volunteers include members of the Rainy River Community College baseball team, Darcy’s Dancers, the Slough Grass band and about 70 others. Over fifty local businesses and individuals have donated items for auction. Sponsors of the event include Boise, Molpus Forest Products, and Wenberg Transfer.
Tickets are disappearing quickly and need to be purchased in advance, according to Skrief. They are available while they last at City Drug in the Falls and at the Koochiching Aging Options office.
The event is held on the stage of Backus Community Center. No Place Like Home Again is in charge of the logging-era decorations. Citizen of the Year Cynthia Warren is the chef for the evening.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for socializing with dinner to begin at 6:30. For more about the event, visit the website KoochichingAgingOptions.org or call 283-7084.
