CSB hosts St. Joe Day
The College of St. Benedict Atheltic Department will host St. Joseph Day at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 in Claire Lynch Hall on the CSB campus. The Blazer basketball team hosts Augsburg. Free admission for St. Joseph residents and employees.
Safety training registration set for firearms, snowmobiles
Registration for safety training for both firearms and snowmobiles will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 in the St. Stephen City Hall.
Firearm safety training will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 7, 9, 16 and 21.
Snowmobile safety training will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18.
First-time homebuyer workshop set Jan. 15
One step closer to homeownership
Home Stretch, a first-time homebuyer workshop that takes participants through the entire home-buying process, will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Liberty Savings Bank downtown. In one day, you will learn about credit, qualifying for a mortgage, shopping for a home, the closing process, basic home maintenance and affordable mortgage products that may be available to first-time homebuyers. Some affordable mortgage products, government loans and down-payment and closing- cost assistance programs may require a buyer to receive a Home Stretch certificate.
Homebuyer education is also offered as an online course. Framework is a new online tool to prepare you for successful homeownership. Framework will provide you with the facts you need to become a knowledgeable buyer. Many lenders have approved Framework to meet homebuyer education requirements. The registration link can be found at www.cmhp.net.
Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, a non-profit organization providing affordable housing services to the central region of Minnesota, coordinates the Home Stretch workshop. The next workshop will be offered in St. Cloud from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Liberty Savings Bank downtown. Registration is required, and participants will receive a completion certificate at the end of the workshop. To register for the online Framework course or the Home Stretch workshop, please contact Trista at 320-258-0681 and visit our website www.cmhp.net for more information.
New Promotions! For every friend you sign up for your class you will both receive $10 off of your class fee! Refer a friend after you’ve completed the workshop and they get $10 off and you are entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card! **Limited Time**CMHP Locations Only**
Pre-purchase counseling is also available by appointment and is strongly recommended prior to taking Home Stretch. This is a free service to anyone who wants to speak with a certified homeownership counselor about their financial situation prior to buying a home.
Commissioner to meet with citizens Jan. 4
Stearns County residents are invited to have coffee with Commissioner Mark Bromenschenkel and discuss county-related issues from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 4 at American Burger Bar, 2010 CR 75 in St. Joseph. Citizens are encouraged to stop in anytime to discuss their issues, share what’s on their minds, raise concerns they may have or simply meet the commissioner. Coffee with Bromenschenkel is generally held the first Saturday of every other month and alternates between three locations in District 2 – St. Joseph, Waite Park and Sartell. Anyone who isn’t able to attend can contact him anytime at P.O. Box 190, Sartell, MN 56377, by phone at 320-493-9180 or by email at mark.bromenschenkel@co.stearns.mn.us. Commissioner Bromenschenkel represents the Cities of St. Joseph, Sartell and Waite Park and the Townships of Le Sauk, St. Joseph and St. Wendel.
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American Red Cross calls for Heroes Awards nominations
The American Red Cross Northern Minnesota Region announces its call for 2014 Heroes Awards nominations. The Red Cross Heroes Awards recognize everyday people who perform extraordinary acts of courage and kindness. The 2014 Heroes Awards winners will be honored at the sixth annual Heroes Breakfast, which will be held at the Hilton Minneapolis on June 5.
The Red Cross Heroes awards relate to the mission and fundamental principles of the American Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies: to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We fulfill this humanitarian effort with neutrality, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
There are several Heroes award categories including, Community, Good Samaritan, Give Life, First Responder, Military and Youth Good Samaritan. Please visit redcross.org/northmn to see descriptions of award categories and to access the awards nominations forms.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit redcrossmn.org or call (612) 871-7676.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Help with snow removal
Volunteers are needed to help with snow shoveling and other outdoor chores to help people remain independent in their homes. Responsibilities include volunteer orientation, snow-removal services, be respectful of the care receiver’s home and aware of safety procedures. Volunteers must maintain client confidentiality. Contact Cherise Robb, Great River Area Faith in Action volunteer coordinator, at 320-258-8678.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
RSVP is a volunteer program for men and women ages 55 and better offering a variety of one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities within 220 local human service organizations. With RSVP, volunteers choose how and where they want to serve. They choose the amount of time they want to give. And they choose whether they want to draw on current skills or develop new ones. Volunteers can utilize optional mileage reimbursement through RSVP. Contact RSVP at 320-255-7295 or visit www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/RSVP.
Junior Achievement
Each year, Junior Achievement in the St. Cloud area partners with community volunteers to deliver programs to more than 28 local schools in 275 classrooms. By sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills, volunteers help students make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life. The time commitment is minimal, scheduling is flexible and training is provided. Depending on the age of the students, volunteers make between five and seven visits to their classroom. Each visit lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Volunteers select a local classroom in which they want to work and are provided a packet of materials, which contains detailed lesson plans and hands-on activities to engage the students. As a volunteer you will help local students learn the value of controlling their own financial future, while they acquire the important life skills of communication, teamwork, critical thinking and decision making. Contact Ileana Merten or Sara Freeman at 320-345-0499 or ileana@jaum.org or sara@jaum.org.
Drivers needed
The Sisters of St. Benedict’s Monastery and St. Scholastica Convent are active in diverse ministries throughout the community. Each site offers unique opportunities for volunteers of all ages to accomplish important, fulfilling tasks and projects. St. Scholastica’s biggest needs are Sister Companions. Volunteers will drive and accompany nuns to appointments, read aloud, write letters for nuns or play cards, games and visit with nuns. Contact Sister Marina Schlangen, St. Scholastica Convent, at 320- 251-2225.
Activity volunteers with adults with disabilities
The Independence Center Inc. is looking for activity coordinators to help entertain and enrich the lives of adults with disabilities. If you enjoy sharing stories, playing games, baking brownies, going shopping, or making arts and crafts, this is the position for you. You will have a chance to use all your creative skills and make a lasting friendship and bond with our consumers with disabilities. No prior experience working with people with disabilities is needed. Staff members will provide training. Contact Jaime Garberich, Independence Center, at 320-252-4146.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.