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Letters to the Editor

Readers’ Views

Humbled by support To the Editor: I am incredibly humbled to write this letter to the editor. During a time of shelter-at-home, social distancing and face-mask wearing, the Fairmont Soccer Association had the inconceivable happen: the largest flower sale in our history by volume of plants sold, gross revenues and proceeds to our association. Recently I learned that there appears to be a shift from baking to gardening as a shelter-at-home activity. We are thankful to the community for considering us again for some of your gardening needs. Your support goes directly to the funding ...

Readers’ Views

Relay for Life postponed To the Editor: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we sadly will have to postpone the Martin County Relay for Life scheduled for June 27 in Fairmont. A new event is pending. We want to do what’s best for our community, and especially our survivors, who are currently going through treatments and would be at increased risk of contracting the virus. This is a difficult time for everyone with the stay-at-home order in place and businesses closed. We aren’t doing much fundraising and have not sent out sponsorship letters, but we are still selling luminarias, ...

Readers’ Views

Some places to turn To the Editor: Farmers are the backbone of our community and region. Planting season brings long hours and lots of uncertainty that accompanies the season. Now, current threats to our food supply chain are leaving farmers feeling overwhelmed and out of options. Now more than ever, we need you. Your families, communities, livestock and land that you pour your labors into, need you. Your physical and mental well-being is important. We know how passionate farmers are about this work, and you have to take care of yourself to be able to do it. If you are feeling ...

Readers’ Views

A salute to volunteers To the Editor: During National Volunteer Month, CREST salutes the wonderful volunteers who help make our services possible. CREST volunteers offer vital help to our aging population. The benefits have proven to be greater for the volunteer as the right match can help them find new friends and connect with their community. Because of the COVID-19 virus, CREST is currently providing transportation services only for medically necessary appointments. CREST also has set up a telephone assurance calling project in which volunteers are calling seniors a couple ...

Readers’ Views

Volunteering during COVID-19 To the Editor: With the events involving COVID-19, the stay-at-home order from Gov. Tim Walz and employment uncertainties, we have heard a lot about volunteering. Pre-pandemic, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging was part of a coalition in the state to bring changes to assist volunteer drivers (volunteerdrivermn.org) and how these drivers are defined by state law. This movement has taken a back seat as we come together to combat this virus. Volunteering now takes on a new meaning, has a new look and feels different. Historically, when you think ...

‘Love Where You Live’

OWATONNA In January, I wrote about the importance of having an endowment so that at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation we can continue to address the emerging needs of our 20-county region through thick and thin. Little did I know at the time how critical this would be for our organization within just a mere two months. At SMIF, we are still able to deliver on the programming that we have promised our region, even during this challenging time. We owe this stability to our donors and the endowment that they have helped us build over the years. Earnings from our invested ...