Speech team to perform for Sartell Senior Connection
Enjoy a fun afternoon listening to the Sartell High School Speech Team students present their meet speeches, which include dramatic and comedic presentations, during the Sartell Senior Connection meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 in the Sartell Senior Center, 212 3rd Ave. N., Sartell. Refreshments will be served.
Girls Summer Fastpitch Registration
Sartell is forming 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U girls summer fastpitch softball teams. Registration deadline is March 22. For more information and registration forms to to www.sartellfastpitch.com.
Summer Rec ball registration
The St. Joseph Summer Rec evening ball program will be having registration on Saturday, March 9 from 1–4 pm at the St. Joseph Fire Hall. This program offers T-ball, pitch ball, softball and baseball for ages 5–14. If you cannot make it for registration or have any questions, please call Sharon at 320-293-3278 or Jen at 320-291-8393.
Daylight Savings begins
Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Residents should turn clocks ahead one hour.
Nominations sought for child care provider
Members of the community are encouraged to nominate their provider for this well-deserved recognition. Licensed providers within Stearns and Benton counties who have had at least three years experience are eligible. Letters should describe how a caregiver exhibits special competency, demonstrates professional skills or has made a positive impact on the lives of young children. Each county’s recipient of this award will be honored at the annual Provider Appreciation Banquet Friday, May 8 in the St. Cloud area. Letters can be emailed to Provider of the Year Committee at sbccaofmn@gmail.com. Letters must be received by April 1 in order for a provider to be considered for the 2013 Provider of the Year. For more information, visit www.sbccaofmn.com.
AgStar now accepting senior scholarship apps
20 scholarships for $1,000 available
The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, is now accepting applications for its high school senior scholarship program, which awards up to 20 students with $1,000 scholarships.
The AgStar High School Scholarship Program is designed for students who have an interest in an ag-related field and/or have an ag or rural background. Of the 20 students awarded, 15 will be selected from candidates who are specifically pursuing an ag-related degree. Additionally, up to five students will be selected based on their ag background and experience but their specific career goals need not be tied to agriculture.
“AgStar is committed to youth who are passionate about agriculture,” said John Monson, chair of AgStar’s Fund Board of Trustees. “We believe it’s imperative to support rural youth as they pursue their future endeavors, bringing their talents and skills back to rural America.”
Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and live in AgStar’s local service area. Applicants are selected based on academic achievement, leadership characteristics and community involvement. Four winners will be chosen from each of AgStar’s five regions.
To apply for the scholarship, students should visit our website to download the application form. Applications must be postmarked by April 1 to be considered.
To date, the fund has given $154,500 in scholarships to 160 students through the high school scholarship program, which began in 2005. Since its inception in 2001, the AgStar Fund has donated more than $4 million to organizations working to improve the future of rural America.
Endangered species art contest seeks participants
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous conservation organizations will observe Endangered Species Day to recognize conservation efforts underway across the nation aimed at helping America’s imperiled species. This year also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.
Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the nation’s rarest plant and animal species. The Youth Art Contest provides students from kindergarten to high school with an opportunity to learn about threatened and endangered species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. Young artists who are home schooled and participate in youth groups are also eligible to submit their art. Previous winners have come from Minnesota, California, New Jersey, Louisiana and as far away as Alaska. Entries must be postmarked by March 15.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Anna Marie’s Alliance
Anna Marie’s Alliance is seeking women or men 18 or older to become volunteer mentors for the children who come to the shelter. The, both girls and boys ages birth to 17, need of positive role models. Anna Marie’s will offer orientation (two hours), child-mentor training (1.5 hours) and SIDS/shaken-baby-syndrome training (two hours). Contact Rita Koll, Anna Marie’s Alliance volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-6900.
Seeking donations for Project Homeless Connect
Donations are being collected for Project Homeless Connect, an event for people who are homeless or near homeless in St. Cloud. Donations will be accepted through March 15. Donations can be personal-hygiene products, new socks, new clothes, cash to support the event and gift cards. Contact Cheri Klassen, Tri-CAP, at 320-251-1612.
Enrich the lives of adults with disabilities
The Independence Center Inc. needs activity volunteers 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 clients with disabilities. You do not need to have any prior experience working with people with disabilities. Our staff will provide you with training and will be with you at all times to help you interact with our clients. You must be 15 years of age or older to volunteer. Any persons 18 years or older may need to submit and pass a background check. Contact Jaime Ludwig, Independence Center Inc. program coordinator, at 320-252-4146.
Make a difference in a child’s life
Join the staff and kids at Southside, Roosevelt or Eastside Boys and Girls Club unit as a program volunteer. You can make a difference in a child’s life in as little as one hour a week. Set your own schedule with the volunteer coordinator to make your experience valuable. We have opportunities for you to get involved in the areas of education-and-career development, character and leadership development, the arts, health-and-life skills and sports and fitness and recreation. Play board games with the kids, read one-to-one with a child or share your love of arts and crafts. It’s as easy as just spending time with kids. We only ask volunteers be able to relate well with children in a group environment, participate as an active team member with staff and other volunteers and abide by volunteer policies. All volunteers are asked to complete a criminal background check before their first volunteer experience. Contact Bethany Theisen, volunteer coordinator, at 320-257-5115.
Encourage students to do their best
St. Cloud area schools are looking for volunteers to support students through reading and tutoring. Involved, caring volunteers have a good impact in our schools and the lives of children. We have a variety of tasks, especially with our eight elementary schools. Even if reading with children is new to you, volunteer orientation and training is provided. Volunteers help to promote and strengthen the partnership between community, students and schools. Contact Sonia Dickrell at 320-529-6500 or visit www.isd742.org.
Volunteer with Casa Guadalupe’s Summer Camp!
Casa Guadalupe Multicultural Community sponsors a summer camp during June and July for Latino children of the ROCORI area. They are looking for volunteers to help the camp coordinator with running camp activities, supervising the children and helping to create a positive environment of learning. The camp runs Monday-Thursday and they are very flexible working with schedules. They especially welcome volunteers with interest and experience in this year’s theme of math and science. Volunteers should be over 18 and they will provide training. Contact Sarah Jacobson, Casa Guadalupe at 320-685-3949.
Director of first impressions
CentraCare is looking for volunteers to make a great first impression! Volunteers will greet guests upon arrival, provide directions and assistance to guests, answer phones and have basic computer skills. Contact Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638 or e-mail volunteer@centracare.com.
Play games
Sit with a resident or group of residents at Country Manor and play the game of choice. Checkers, cribbage, Kings in the Corner, Bridge and 500 just to name a few! Patience and a willingness to learn a new game if necessary is desired. Contact Jacquie Hartman, Country Manor at 320-253-1920.
Mentor a child in your community
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota helps youth to realize their potential by providing positive growth experiences through one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children and families in a four and a half county area by providing volunteers who will nurture children through positive life experiences that will impact the child’s life and the life of the Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple, Big Family or Big Grandparent forever. Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples, Big Families, and Big Grandparents are simply friends who share their life with a child. Each of us can remember those special people in our lives who help shape who we are, who taught us to ride a bike, who taught us to fish, etc. These are the people who are “Bigs” to children throughout Central Minnesota. Contact Maija Schmelzer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota at 320-258-4535.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.