K of C to sponsor free-throw championship
All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2017 Knights of Columbus Free Throw championship. The local competition will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 at the All Saints Academy gym in St. Joseph. Registration and practice is at 1:30 p.m., and the contest begins at 2 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually with winners progressing through local, district, and state competition. International champions are announced by the K of C international headquarters based on scores from the state-level competitions. All boys and girls 9 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in respective age divisions. Last year more than 120,000 sharpshooters participated in over 3,600 local competitions.
All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent. For any additional information contact Mark Berg-Arnold at (320) 363-1077.
Fare for All set Jan. 16
Fare for All’s next distribution will be from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Fare for All is a budget-stretching program that allows people to save up to 40 percent off fresh fruits, vegetables and frozen meats. Distribution is once a month. We are open to everyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollar. Cash, credit, debit cards and EBT cards are accepted. For more information please visit our website at fareforall.org or call 1-800-582-4291.
‘Dyslexia, the Gift’ workshop set Jan. 21
A workshop entitled “Dyslexia: the Gift” will be held from 8:15 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21 in the Gorecki Conference Center on the campus of the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph. Three clock hours may be earned. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Jan. 18. For more information, visit bit.lv/dyslexiathegift2 or contact Paulette Hauge at butterfliesare4me@gmail.com or Carolyn Garven at cjgarven@charter.net.
Mindfulness’ course set Tuesdays at CentraCare
A course on meditation as a stress-reducer will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 24-March 14 in the lower level of CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. The name of the course is “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction,” which is designed to help people cope with anxiety, depression, attention deficits, chronic pain or illness, cardiac disease, life transitions and feelings of emptiness. Learning the meditative process called “mindfulness” can help restore balance to life. For more information or to register, call Patsy Murphy at 320-290-2155 or email patsymurphy@mac.com.
St. Ben’s hosts Girls, Women in Sports Day
The College of St. Benedict will host a celebration for National Girls and Women in Sports Day at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. The community is invited to join us for this celebration and the CSB basketball game vs. St. Olaf. The 2017 Breaking Barriers Award honoree Marcia Mahlum will be honored at halftime along with a performance by the CSB dance team. Player autographs will be available after the game. All girls and women wearing a sports jersey will receive free admission to this event. For more information visit csbblazers.com.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Serving those who served
The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is in need of volunteers in various assignments throughout the medical center. The St. Cloud VA is dedicated to providing exceptional health care to our service men and women. Join our team and honor our nation’s veterans today. Contact St. Cloud VA Health Care Voluntary Service office at 320-255-6365 or vhastcvavsstaff@va.gov vhastcvavsstaff@va.gov.
Friendly visitor
Develop a special friendship with a resident of Country Manor by visiting with them regularly. You can visit in their room, the lounges, the bird aviary or, when the weather permits, you could take the resident outside the facility to one of our gardens and/or ponds for your visit. The residents have very interesting stories and insights to share about their lives. Please take some time to listen to a piece of their history and life experiences. Some residents also enjoy being read to during visits. You will learn so much about the generation that has been here long before this website. Contact Caitlin Tierney, volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-1920.
Foster Grandparent Program
Are you looking for more positive interactions in the New Year? Consider joining the Foster Grandparent Program for a joyful and rewarding experience, and mentor youth in our community. The Foster Grandparent Program, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, is looking for volunteers ages 55 and older to mentor children. Volunteers are needed in schools in District 742, Cold Spring and Avon, as well as after-school programs. An hourly stipend, transportation reimbursement, and paid training are included. Contact Emily Chaphalkar, Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program, at 320-229-4597.
WACOSA’s ThriftWorks! Store
Provide upbeat, positive customer service to all who enter WACOSA’s ThriftWorks! store. Manage donation drop-off, including assisting customers with accepting donations and providing receipts as directed by staff members. Volunteers will sort and/or price donations, operate a cash register and/or display merchandise items on the store floor. Shifts available are between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. They ask volunteers help for a minimum two-hour shift. The day/time you are scheduled may vary according to your availability and the needs of their organization. This volunteer position is available at 310 Sundial Drive, Waite Park. They will take groups up to 10, with notice, and one-time volunteers. Contact Andrea Harrell, WACOSA volunteer coordinator, at 320-257-5188 or aharrell@wacosa.org.
Volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club can always use volunteers at any of their 17 sites. Whether you are interested in playing basketball with teens, reading to a child or doing paperwork in the administrative office, they can use your help. All volunteers will be required to complete a criminal background check consent form and must make a minimum commitment of 20 hours over a three-month period. Contact Bethany, Boys and Girls Club, at 320-252-7616.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
