Sartell Youth Hockey begins 100 gun raffle
The Sartell Youth Hockey Association is hosting its third annual gun raffle, with the drawing being held at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 24 at the Blueline Sports Bar & Grill. Door prizes and silent auction start at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online or at Blueline Sports Bar & Grill and Bernick’s Arena, both in Sartell. There are 100 guns, with 20 tickets sold per firearm. Visit sartellhockey.org for a list of guns, rules/regulations and to reserve tickets. Winning tickets are good for the awarded gun or gift card for comparable value at Scheel’s in Waite Park.
St. Stephen to host Easter egg hunt
The City of St. Stephen will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at the Upper Smoley Field. Bring your Easter basket and take pictures with the Easter bunny.
CPR classes set April 18, 25
Two free community CPR classes will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, April 18 and 25 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The classes are free and open to the residents of St Joseph, as well as St Joseph and St. Wendel townships. Each class is good for initial CPR or renewal. Limited spots are available. Deadline to register is noon Friday, April 15. Call 320 363-7201 to register.
Community Showcase slated for April 2
The St. Joseph Community Showcase, sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at Kennedy Community School, 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph. Local retail, commercial, educational and service organizations will have booths to visit. Food, entertainment and children’s games will also be featured.
Burning restrictions now in effect
Open burning restrictions are in effect in many Minnesota counties including Stearns, Benton and Sherburne, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource. Firefighters have already responded to wildfires in central Minnesota as conditions for fire have increased. The mild temperatures and sparse snow cover this winter have resulted in an early snow melt, according to Linda Gormanson, DNR fire prevention supervisor. The warmer weather and spring winds dry the dead standing grass and brush, allowing them to ignite and spread fire quickly, she said. Spring open-burning restrictions mean residents will not be allowed to burn brush or yard waste. Restrictions typically begin about two weeks after the snow leaves and remain in place until summer green-up occurs. This usually lasts four to six weeks. For more information on fire condition and burning restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.
Sauk Rapids searches for Citizen of the Year
Do you know someone from Sauk Rapids who provides outstanding service to the Sauk Rapids community? Nominate them for the 2016 Sauk Rapids “Citizen of the Year.” Any individual who has positively impacted Sauk Rapids either individually, through business, or through civic and community organizations can be nominated for this recognition. Nominations are due April 11 by email to rolson@ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us or by mail to the Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N, Sauk Rapids. View the brochure and nomination form at www.stcloudareachambercom.
Tax statements sent to property owners
Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer Randy Schreifels wants residents to know that 2016 property tax statements have been mailed or emailed to those who own property in Stearns County. May 15 falls on a Sunday this year; therefore, the first-half property-tax payments are due Monday, May 16. Property tax payments can be made online through the Stearns County website at StearnsCountyMN.gov. Through the website, property owners can also request to get future tax statements by email. Property owners in Stearns County who did not receive a tax statement should contact the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at 320-656-3870 or at taxes@co.stearns.mn.us.
Lecture series hosts Girls Leading Change
Stopping Rape: South African student activists lead for change will be held at noon Wednesday, March 30 as part of a lecture series put on by the St. Cloud State University Women’s Center, which brings diverse women and programming to SCSU to cover political, social, legal and economic issues affecting women’s lives. Girls Leading Change, a group of young women students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, who are visiting SCSU on an exchange program, is challenging the problem of sexual violence through innovative and activist strategies including programming, policy-making and “cellphilming. In fact, their cellphilm about their experiences and stories as girls from rural backgrounds led to first- and second-place awards in the McGill International Cellphilm Festival. Join us to learn more about the lives, the work and the activism of these incredible young women students from Girls Leading Change. Lectures are held on select Wednesdays at noon in the Atwood Theatre in the Atwood Memorial Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
Athena Award seeks nominations
Nominations are being sought for the ATHENA Award by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation The mission of the Athena Award is to recognize and honor central Minnesota women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others. Criteria for selection includes the following: demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession; provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in the community; actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential. Nominations are due April 30 to the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. To officially nominate a candidate for the Athena Award, nominators must complete a short form and answer the question “Why do you think this woman should be selected as the 2016 Women’s Fund Athena recipient?” based on the criteria for selection. Forms are available at communitygiving.org/athenaaward or by calling Courtney Schmidt at 320-257-9723. The award is presented by the Women’s Fund and is sponsored by HealthPartners. Since 2002, the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has been dedicated to helping women and girls live their best lives.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Help give the gift of education
Opportunity Matters is looking for a volunteer to assist an individual in learning Braille. Volunteer candidates would know Braille or be willing to learn with the individual. Volunteer one to two times/per week for an hour in the afternoon or evening as your schedule permits. Help give the gift of education by helping someone learn to read. Contact Brenda Eggerth, volunteer and communications manager, at 320-240-1900 ext. 205.
Habitat for Humanity seeks pick-up assistant
The donation pick-up assistant works directly with our truck driver going on pick-ups from donors who are unable to bring items in themselves. Donation assistants help load and unload the donation truck. The ability to lift 50-plus pounds on a regular basis and a friendly and helpful attitude are the qualifications for this volunteer opportunity. Contact Eileen Bitzan, volunteer manager for Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity ReStore, at 320-241-4643.
Cosmetologists sought
CentraCare Health is looking for volunteers who are kind and caring professional beauticians to pamper hospice patients in their home, hospital or long-term-care facilities. Pampering includes manicures, shampoo set and style, haircut and helping with makeup. Contact CentraCare Health Volunteer Services at 320-240-3276 ext. 23276 or volunteer@centracare.com.
Library seeks bookstore help
St. Cloud Friends of the Library seeks volunteers to assist in staffing the bookstore located in the St. Cloud Library, sorting donated books and other materials, stocking the shelves in the bookstore, and determining appropriate prices for sales of the ordinary donated books as well as vintage books. Contact Marcia Neely, Friends of the Library, at 320-428-1714 or marciagarden@yahoo.com.
March is Food Share Month
March is Food Share Month in Minnesota where donations are matched during the month. During this time of significant economic distress, many area families are using local food shelves more than ever before. Consider leveraging the match by running a food drive within your work place, church or service club and donate to your local food shelf or one of the following: Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 320-229-4560; C.R.O.S.S. Center of Benton County, 320-968-7012; or The Salvation Army, 320-252-4552.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
