Family friendly fun on hand during community showcase
The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host its annual community showcase from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Kennedy Community School gym. The event will showcase local small businesses, with proceeds from sponsorships benefiting the St. Joseph Chamber. There will be live music, as well as entertainment for the kids. For more information, visit stjosephchamber.com.
Winter Market brings spring to Sartell
Sartell’s Winter Market will celebrate spring from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 11 inside City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road. Start your spring off right by shopping locally and eating healthy. New vendors will be on hand – as well as many of your favorites – with a wide array of products. Learn more online at marketmonday.org.
Birdhouse building project set April 12
A youth birdhouse building project is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at St. Stephen City Hall, 2 6th Ave. SE. The project is sponsored by the St. Stephen Sportsmen’s Club and the City of St. Stephen.
Senior Connection to host Stearns Sheriff Capt. Jensen
The Sartell Senior Connection will host Captain Pam Jensen of the Stearns County Sheriff’s Patrol Division, who will explain the process of how crimes are solved at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 at the District Service Center, 212 3rd Ave N., Sartell. There will also be a question-and-answer period.
Registration now open for St. Stephen Youth Athletics
Registration runs now through April 20 for St. Stephen Athletic Club Youth Programs. Registration forms are available at Schmidtys in St. Stephen or online at cityofststephen.com and on Facebook by searching “City of St. Stephen, MN.” For more information, contact Cindy Vanderweyst at 320-529-8498.
Sartell bunny winners announced
The winners for the Newsleaders’ Easter bunny giveaway are as follows: Avon State Bank, Travis Gertken, Avon; Central Minnesota Credit Union, Janet Huls, St. Joseph; Local Blend, Debbie Emery, St. Joseph; McDonald’s St. Joseph, Catelyn Smith, Avon; Once Upon a Child, Kate Peterson, Waite Park; St. Joseph Meat Market, Edna Johnson, Milton; and Wenner Cos., Landon Kraemer, Richmond.
St. Joseph bunny winners announced
The winners for the Newsleaders’ Easter bunny giveaway are as follows: Avon State Bank, Travis Gertken, Avon; Central Minnesota Credit Union, Janet Huls, St. Joseph; Local Blend, Debbie Emery, St. Joseph; McDonald’s St. Joseph, Catelyn Smith, Avon; Once Upon a Child, Kate Peterson, Waite Park; St. Joseph Meat Market, Edna Johnson, Milton; and Wenner Cos., Landon Kraemer, Richmond.
Fire department hosts CPR training class
The St. Joseph Fire Department will host a CPR training class free to residents of St. Joseph and St. Joseph and St. Wendel townships from 6-9 p.m. Monday, April 20 and Wednesday, April 22 at the fire hall. Only one day is required. Space is limited to 30. To register, call the city at 320-363-7201.
Family event to celebrate County Government Month
Get an up-close look at the highway department
Residents are invited to come out and play, and learn, at an open house from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 11 at the Stearns County Highway Department, 455 28th Ave. S., Waite Park (down the road from Mill’s Fleet Farm). Seeing the Highway Department’s massive equipment and climbing inside those vehicles is part of Stearns County’s celebration of National County Government Month. Kids and adults alike will enjoy getting a good look at the variety of road repair and maintenance equipment used by our Highway Department – bulldozers, loaders, bucket trucks, tractors, backhoes, stripers, sign truck, tractor with mower and boom cutter, pavers, rollers, snowplows, crack-sealing equipment, skid steers, patching equipment and more. Attendees will also be able to take home a free load of sand for the children’s sandbox.
This year’s theme for National County Government Month, which is held every April, is “Counties Moving America Forward: The Keys are Transportation and Infrastructure,” so Stearns County is highlighting its Highway Department. In addition to the open house, all sorts of tidbits and information about our Highway Department will be shared on the county’s website and social media channels throughout the month of April.
Inside the Highway Department, attendees will see in-shop vehicles on hoists, find giveaways, get all sorts of information, including old photos and maps that depict how Stearns County has changed over the years, see a display by the Ag Inspector relating to noxious weeds, and get information on various highway department programs such as Adopt-a-Highway, the Snow Plow – Cool presentations and the wheelage tax. Snacks and refreshments will also be served.
“This is a real family event; there is something everyone can enjoy,” said Janet Midas, Stearns County public information specialist. “Roads and the construction of highways is an intriguing business so it’s always exciting to get a good look at what they all do and how they do it.”
Since 1991 the National Association of Counties has encouraged individual counties to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of counties. National County Government Month is an opportunity for counties to let the public know what county government does and how the county responds to their needs.
Bag of Books Sale held at St. Cloud Library
The St. Cloud Friends of the Library spring Bag of Books Sale will be held April 16-18 in the Mississippi Room of the St. Cloud Public Library. Books-by-the-bag pricing will include fiction, non-fiction, romance, mystery, paperbacks, children’s and VHS. The sale will also feature vintage, collectibles and records with special sale pricing, as well as a silent auction that will run the duration of the sale. Head to stcloudfriends.org or find them on Facebook for more information.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Be a Big Brother
Want to Change a life? Big Brothers Big Sisters are looking for men that would like to hang out with a youth ages 5-14 years old three to four times a week for 12 months! You can make great memories sharing hobbies and interests. Their male youth typically wait 12- 18 month for a mentor! Please consider coming to a one hour informational session. Contact Rachel, Big Brothers Big Sisters at (320) 258.4537 or [email protected].
Donation Needs for Catholic Charities Emergency Services
Catholic Charities Emergency Services is in need of household items for families. Suggested donations include bedding (sheets/blankets) for bed size queen and king, pots and pans, dish sets, and silverware. Donations can be dropped off at 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud during business hours. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at (320) 229-4560.
Family Program – Recovery Plus
Help create a warm, inviting and welcome environment for participants in the Family Program. Start the coffee, put out treats, help new family members with signing in, and hand out information packets to attendees. Recovery Plus is designed for adults who are experiencing alcohol/chemical use problems or mental health issues. Contact CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Services at (320) 320-255-5638 or Visit centracare.com/volunteer
Spring Cleaning?
No child should sleep on the floor. You can help by donating gently used items to help out a low-income family in need. Items accepted include couches, love seats, lamps, recliners, rockers, kitchen tables and chairs, end table, night stands, dressers and complete bed sets (no king). Furniture with rips, stains, rust, tears or mold cannot be accepted. Tax receipts and pick up is available. Contact the Community Furniture Program at (320) 656-9004.
Refugee and Immigrant Child Care Assistants
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills for immigrant and refugee newcomers to St. Cloud. We are in need of assistants to help the child care director care for children. Our goal is to give the children the love and attention they need while we help them learn English and adjust to life in St. Cloud through activities and games. Parents are considered the primary caregivers, and will be responsible for changing diapers and feeding; the volunteers will help the director supervise and carry out activities for the children. If you have worked or plan to work in education or social services, if you just enjoy children or if you’re interested in other cultures, this is a great opportunity for you to help others while learning more about them.
Contact Brianda Cediel, Executive Director at (320) 260-1072 or [email protected]
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at (320) 223-7991 or [email protected]