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Readers’ Views

Stay ahead of cancer

To the Editor:

The month of April draws attention to several cancers. It is Head and Neck, Oral, Esophageal and Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.

Regular oral cancer examinations performed by your oral health professional remain the best method for detecting oral cancer in its early stages.

See your health care provider regularly for preventive screenings.

Marsha Williams

Relay for Life of Martin County

Welcome

Input needed on sale

To the Editor:

It will not come as a surprise that the 2020 Kinship Industrial Commercial Rummage Sale/Auction to be held April 30-May 2 at the Martin County Fairgrounds in Fairmont will be cancelled.

We are asking for input from businesses. Whether you have or have not donated your unneeded items to the Kinship sale in the past, we ask for your suggestions on the following:

1) Do you have items that you might have wanted to donate this year?

2) If so, would you prefer:

o Rescheduling the sale for June or July?

o Rescheduling the sale for September?

o Skipping the sale in 2020 and waiting to do one in May 2021?

To refresh your memory or provide information:

This would have been the 17th annual Kinship Sale that benefits Kinship’s youth mentoring program, which connects caring volunteer adults to be positive role models to the youth in Martin County.

Businesses have donated used or even new unneeded items from their business. It is an opportunity for businesses to clean out and get rid of obsolete or unused inventory, equipment, machinery, tools, materials, supplies, parts and office equipment/furnishing/items. Donations are anything related to your business other than computers, copiers, appliances, tires and non-operable items.

Kinship is a 501c3 organization, so businesses are provided with documents of the value of items donated for use in taking tax advantages.

Thank you and please contact me with your ideas,

Char Kahler

board member,

Kinship of Martin County

Fairmont

An angel stepped in

To the Editor:

The most amazing thing happened to me after work recently.

We ordered groceries at Hy-Vee so I could drive up and get them. I texted my co-worker, asking if her mom needed any groceries. Her mom lives in Welcome and just lost her husband. She had a small list so I went in, got her stuff and picked up a few more things for myself.

I put my things on the belt first, then my co-worker’s, telling the checkout girls there were two orders. Mine rang up and then the shift manager stepped up and put a card in to pay for it. I was like, “What’s going on?” She said a man standing by the flowers told her there was a woman in the store in a blue uniform, a health care worker, and he wanted to buy her groceries as a thank you for what you do. I just started bawling. I had a mask on and he had a homemade one, and I just kept crying and thanking him. I hugged myself and pointed to him.

When the shift manager went to give him back his card, he must have asked about the rest of the groceries because I heard her tell him those were for someone else I was shopping for. He said get them too. So he bought my co-worker’s moms groceries too. Oh my gosh, we were all tearful.

I will never know who this was because he had a mask on. When my groceries were loaded in my cart, I wanted to go over and let him know what a beautiful and generous gift this was, but he was gone. Angels don’t stay around for a thank you.

People are amazingly beautiful right now, and I hope when this is all over we remember to be kind and pay it forward. God is good and blessed my co-worker and I today.

Julie Morris

Welcome

Moving forward

To the Editor:

Every employer and employee feels the historic impact of COVID-19. Those of us in the network of state and local chambers of commerce would like to thank employers and employees throughout Minnesota for navigating this crisis to mitigate the health impacts and keep our state moving forward. And if you are a business that is struggling or confused about the resources available to you, reach out to us. We can help — whether you are a chamber member or not.

Businesses are innovating and leveraging available resources.

Minnesota is blessed with a landscape of innovative companies and skilled workers. Employers and employees are continuing to find ways to work safely, keep essential operations open, meet customer demands and protect critical supply chains. Most impressive, companies are showing their ingenuity to transform operations almost overnight to supply products and services critical to bringing this pandemic under control.

Chambers of commerce share the goal of ensuring a healthy business community and economy. The stakes are higher today, and our efforts are escalated as we fight this pandemic. We are working tirelessly for our members — and everyone in the business community — listening to their needs and responding in their best interest.

Chambers are bringing businesses together.

Your local and state chambers work with businesses of every type, size and industry, and in every corner of the state. By listening to the needs of businesses, we are able to make connections between challenges and solutions — during this crisis and long afterward.

Chambers are advocating for employers and employees.

Minnesotans’ health and safety are paramount concerns for all of us. We share the goal of our elected officials to reduce the spread of the virus and simultaneously protect the long-term strength of the private-sector economy. It’s a delicate balance, and we have worked with legislators and Gov. Tim Walz and his administration to make decisions with this balance in mind.

Chambers are speeding resources and assistance to keep communities thriving.

Every company is impacted by the state and federal directives related to COVID-19. Those deemed essential are doing what they can to keep shelves stocked and meet customer demands. If they were required to close their physical doors, many are continuing remotely or pivoting their operations. This was not their choice, but they are reviewing every funding option available to continue to make payroll, or act in good faith on behalf of their employees to keep their businesses open while mitigating health impacts.

The twists and turns of the pandemic are changing daily. Your chambers of commerce provide timely and trusted information to navigate this crisis. We know businesses are looking for funding and resources to mitigate this crisis. Your state and local chambers are here to help you navigate the various options and maximize the benefit for your business and employees — whether you are a chamber member or not. Our offices may be closed due to the stay-at-home order, but we are only a phone call or email away.

Businesses contribute to our shared quality of life in Minnesota. Generations-owned family companies and new entrepreneurial start-ups are equally important parts of our state’s story. The remarkable response of employers and employees everywhere is evidence that Minnesotans are well-prepared to weather this pandemic storm. Working together, we will position Minnesota to return to full productivity and full employment as soon as possible.

For more information, contact your local chamber at www.fairmontchamber.org

Doug Loon,

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Ned Koppen, Fairmont Area

Chamber of Commerce

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