United Way of Otter Tail County

Partner Programs

2007/2008 United Way of Otter Tail County Partner Programs

2-1-1 Northwest - $2,000 Mary Phillipe 211wcmn@tvoc.org 120 E Washington Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 736-2856 A free and confidential telephone service which refers information regarding health and human services in the community.	A Place to Belong - $3,300 Mike Loreno mnm7487@prtel.com PO Box 206 Fergus Falls, MN 56538 218-739-0797 A consumer-run program providing community support for adults with serious mental illness.	American Red Cross- $8,450 Blood Services, Education & Training, Emergency Services Sheri Thomsen sthomsen@fargoredcross.org 2602 12th Street North Fargo, ND 58102 701-364-1800 Providing education & training in first aid, CPR-AED, water safety and safety education programs including the bloodmobile. Emergency services program ensures the emergency needs of those affected by disaster are met including temporary shelter, food, clothing and medications.
Arthritis Foundation - North Central Chapter - $1,500 Deborah Sales Maysack dmaysack@arthritis.org 1902 Minnehaha Avenue St. Paul MN 55104 651-644-4108 The Arthritis North Central Foundation North Central Chapter provides arthritis education that empowers people to better manage their arthritis and to reduce pain and disability through our Life Improvement programs and classes.	Battle Lake Community Recreation - $3,000 Kathy Kensinger kkensinger@battlelake.k12.mn.us 402 W Summit Street Battle Lake, MN 56515 218-864-5215 Providing scholarships for children in Battle Lake which keep youth active in positive activities by helping them learn new skills, teamwork and self-esteem.	Battle Lake School Readiness - $5,400 Linda Morical lmorical@battlelake.k12.mn.us 402 W Summit Street Battle Lake, MN 56515 218-864-5217 A literacy based preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds which promotes the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children to facilitate their success in Kindergarten.
Boys Scouts of America - Northern Lights Council $2,500 Mark Holtz mholtz@nlcbsa.org 301 7th Street South Fargo, ND 58103 701-293-5011 A values-based comprehensive youth development program for boys ages 6-20 and girls 14-20 which provides skill training and outdoor experiences.	Camp Fire USA Northern Star Council Moccasin Valley District - $500 Myrna Johnson campfireusans@juno.com 120 East Washington Fergus Falls MN 56537 218-736-3027 Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and future leaders. Boys and girls from Kindergarten to high school participate in many different programs. Caring adults assist the youth in building skills through informative education opportunities for youth to realize their potential and to function as caring, self directed individuals responsible to themselves and to others.	Child Care Visitor Program - $17,325 Beth Achter bachter@fergusfalls.k12.mn.us 805 E Channing Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 998-0544 ext 1200 Monthly visits to 37 child care provides and 370 children each month to enhance the healthy development, positive values and the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of children.
Children’s Services Association - $9,900 Millie Pearson mpearson@prtel.com 2207 Brookwood Court Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-739-9778 A funding source of last resort for those children and families in need of support for medical expenses or other dire needs when no other funding sources are available. The CSA exists to assist children who are significantly disadvantaged and typically denied basic health care or life needs.	Father’s Resource Center - $4,125 Otter Tail Wadena Community Action Council program Daryl Maihori dmaihori@otwcac.org PO Box L New York Mills, MN 56567 218-739-3011 Empowering fathers to be actively, positively and responsibly involved in the nurturing and support of their children.	Fergus Falls Adult Basic Education - $6,600 Judy Suiter jsuiter@fergusfalls.k12.mn.us 117 W Washington Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-998-0544 ext 1602 Providing adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve the literacy skills necessary to be self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members and citizens.
Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA - $7,425 Ron Raasch ffymca@prtel.com 1164 N Friberg Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-739-4489 Providing financial assistance for membership and program services to individuals and families financially unable to participate.	Fergus Falls Meals by Wheels Deb Johnson 1221 E Mt Faith Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-739-3517 Utilizing volunteer drivers to deliver meals to people unable to cook for themselves.	Foster Grandparent Program - $3,300 Catholic Charities/St Cloud Diocese program Jackie Johnson jjohnso1@gw.stcdio.org 157 Roosevelt Road Suite 200 St. Cloud, MN 56301 320-229-4587 The senior volunteers provide meaningful supportive relationships for children with special needs in school and child care settings.
Girl Scouts Pine- Dakota Horizons - $2,000 Michelle Paulson mpaulson@gsdakotahorizons.org 2525 Demers Ave Grand Forks, ND 58201 800-293-7962 A comprehensive and developmental program for girls involving: educational events, field trips and community service projects.	Henning School Readiness/Preschool Program - $2,600 Laura Smith lsmith@henning.k12.mn.us 500 School Ave Henning, MN 56551 218-583-2927 A kindergarten preparation program for preschool children ages 3-5 in Henning. The goal is to ready children for success in kindergarten and a lifetime of learning.	Lutheran Social Services Refugee Services - $12,375 Dianne Kimm dkimm@lssmn.org PO Box 867 Pelican Rapids, MN 218-863-5627 Helping resettle refugees in Pelican Rapids and surrounding areas who have been assigned by the US government or are asylees and immigrants looking for jobs.
Mills IMPACT Team - $2,500 Lynn Kasma lrkasma@hotmail.com PO Box 218 New York Mills, MN 56567 218-385-4060 Enhances the lives of children and families in New York Mills through increased opportunities and programming by coordinating school and community resources.	New York Mills Food Shelf - $1,500 Connie Warner wcwarner@lakesplus.com PO Box 323 New York Mills, MN 56567 218-385-2900 An emergency food shelf for residents of the New York Mills area in need of food.	North Country Food Bank - $12,375 Susan Novak ncfbankrg@rrv.net 424 N Broadway Crookston, MN 56716 218-281-3559 Assisting local nonprofit agencies in meeting the food needs of their clients by obtaining large donations from the food industry for them to order at a reduced rate.
Open Door Youth Center - $2,000 Rich Hawkinson theODYC@iglide.net PO Box 551 Battle Lake, MN 56515 218-864-5004 Offering kids drop-in recreation in a safe and supervised facility-free of charge.	Otter Tail Sexual Assault - $6,600 A program of Someplace Safe Jill Fazio Jfazioregion4@yahoo.com PO Box 815 Fergus Falls, MN 56538 218-739-3486 Providing advocacy services to victims of sexual violence by offering a safe and confidential place for victims to share their experience.	PARTNERS - $1,000 Tina West rpartnersw@rtelnet.net PO Box 234 Rothsay, MN 56579 218-867-1234 Providing van service from Rothsay to Fergus Falls twice a month to transport seniors to do their own shopping and errands.
Pelican Rapids Food Shelf - $2,000 Johanna Christenson johanna@loretel.net PO Box 592 Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218-863-8452 An emergency food shelf for residents of the Pelican Rapids area in need of food.	Pelican Rapids OAKS - $2,000 Maggie Driscoll maggiedriscoll@ecumen.org PO Box 225 Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218-863-15115 A living at home/block nurse program reaching people ages 65 plus by helping people remain in their community living independently.	Pelican Rapids Early Childhood Family Education- $2,500 Terra Fitzsimmons tfitzsim@pelicanrapids.k12.mn.us PO Box 642 310 South Broadway Pelican Rapids MN 56572 218-863-2911 Bright Starts Child Care Home Visitor's goal is to enhance and support the trusting relationship of child care provider to its families. While making these visits, staff models open ended, age appropriate activities that are inclusive for all children ages birth through age five.
Pelican Rapids Senior Center/Meals on Wheels - $1,000 Robert Peterson PO Box 547 Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218-863-5225 Providing space and volunteers to deliver meals to home bound seniors in Pelican Rapids.	Perham Area Community Center (PACC) - $3,465 Children’s Assistance Program (CAP), After School Gym Activities, Fit Chix Kevin Nelson pacc@eot.com 620 Third Ave SE Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7222 CAP- providing reduced price admission to PACC for 3-12th grade youth who meet financial eligibility criteria. After School Gym Activities- provides structured, no cost to participant, activities for youth from 2-7th grade. Fit Chix- provides an avenue for girls to participate in fun, healthy activities while learning about healthy lifestyle environment.	Perham Area Kinship Program - $8,250 Jill Shipman kinship@perham.k12.mn.us 810 2nd Ave SW Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7102 Working to improve lives of children by establishing quality relationships between caring volunteers as a mentor and a child in need.
Perham’s Promise - $2,500 Patty Nunn nunnp@yahoo.com 425 4th Ave SE Perham, MN 56573 218-346-1474 Supporting youth and families within the Perham/Dent school community by fostering relationships between school, community and youth.	Permanent Family Resource Center - $750 Maryjane Westra maryjane@permanentfamily.org 1220 North Tower Road, Suite 101 Fergus Falls MN 56537 218-998-3400 Permanent Family Resource Center's Waiting Children Adoption Program recruits, trains, and approves families willing to adopt children who wait for permanency in the foster care system.	Salvation Army Feeding Program, After School Program, Social Services - $23,550 Captain Mike Parker mike_parker@usc.salvationarmy.org 622 E Vernon Ave Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-739-9692 Providing hot meals to those needing food services, after school care for families with limited income and providing assistance with rent, utilities and housing for people falling on hard times.
Someplace Safe Outreach and Intervention - $20,625 Jill Fazio Jfazioregion4@yahoo.com PO Box 815 Fergus Falls, MN 56538 218-739-3486 A crime victim service organization assisting victims of domestic violence by providing a safe and confidential place for victims to share their experiences and to receive assistance in protecting themselves and their children.	Someplace Safe Parenting Time Center - $8,250 Jeanne Jacobs ptc@prtel.com PO Box 815 Fergus Falls, MN 56538 218-739-3132 Providing a safe and neutral site for children and their families to provide safe exchanges of children from one parent to the other without being exposed to anger, hostility or violence.	Perham Area Special Olympics Team - $2,000 Corinne Schattschneidergschatts@eot.com 43263 S.Paul Lake Drive Perham, MN 56573 218-758-3138 Perham Area Special Olympics Team provides year round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Here are some suggestions about how you and your family can begin building community today!

Get to know your neighbors
Look up when you're walking
Plant flowers
Use your library
Play outside
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Honor elders
Support neighborhood schools
Fix it even if you didn't break it
Have a potluck supper
Organize a community garden
Pick up litter
Read stories aloud to someone
Join or start a book club
Dance in the street

Talk to your mail carrier
Listen to the birds
Put up a swing
Help carry something heavy
Barter for your goods
Start a tradition
Ask someone where they grew up
Hire young people for odd jobs
Organize a block party
Bake extra and share
Ask for help when you need it
Open your shades
Sing together
Share your skills
Listen before you react to anger
Seek to understand
Join a carpool
Volunteer your time
Attend school and community sponsored events Visit a local nursing home
Walk barefoot in the grass with someone you love

Stuff the Bus :

Help a student start off the school year on the right foot. Donations from the community go to help provide children in grades K-12 with a new backpack and the basic school supplies needed to help children succeed in their school year. Coming in 2007- a gently used sweatshirt and jean drive to help provide children with some clothing for the school year.

Material goods can be dropped off at United Way.

Click here for an application.

Monetary contributions can be sent to:

Stuff the Bus c/o Bremer Bank 2330 College Way Fergus Falls, MN 56537

This program is a cooperative effort between United Way, Salvation Army, Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action, Bremer Bank, and interested community members. If you would like to help be a part of this rewarding committee, please contact the United Way office.

Coats for Kids:

We live in a cold climate for many months of the year and we all know how important a warm coat and accessories are! Consider donating your gently used coats, snowpants, boots, hats, gloves and scarves for others in need. Donations are accepted year round at the United Way office and will be distributed to people needing a warm coat.; All sizes are welcome!

Holiday Toy Shop Program:

In cooperation with the Salvation Army, we are teaming together to make the holidays bright for families in Otter Tail County. Children ages 0-15 are provided with gifts from community donations. Toys, stocking stuffers and clothing donations are accepted. Volunteers help families shop for their children’s needs, wrap the gifts and set up the event.Donations of food are also accepted to help make Christmas dinner food boxes up for families in need. The 2007 distribution date is set for December 20th at the Salvation Army.