Sertoma Sharing Tree

Sertoma is about Service to Mankind and today we were allowed the privilege of sharing a heartwarming experience with someone who was actually homeless in Brainerd. Laura Beilke arranged with the program director from New Pathways to be our speaker and he brought with him one of the people who has recently benefited from their help. Connie explained how easy it was for her and her family to end up homeless when their efforts to buy and fix up an older house ended in disaster. All of their money had gone to the down payment and the purchase of a travel trailer as a "temporary" home. When that became their "permanent" home and both her and her husband ended up with medical problems, they were lucky enough to ask for help from New Pathways. Richard described the program as an interfaith hospitality network that deals with homeless families in a five county area included Cass and Crow Wing. The process includes not only providing shelter and food but creating a customized plan for each family to become independent again. The plan deals with education, medical, mental and physical health, and housing issues. The churches are very involved with some of them providing shelter facilities. Connie explained, "Being in the program was a blessing especially for my 15 year old daughter who was able to continue to attend school. All the wonderful people I have come in contact with have treated my family with care and respect." Connie was able to tell us that she and her husband finally have found a place to live that will keep their daughter in her school. She has made lifelong connections and friends through this experience and plans to volunteer as soon as she is eligible. She continued, "Thank you will never be enough!" Homelessness in rural areas does differ from that in metropolitan areas but it is still a problem. The rural homeless are more likely to have a job, more likely to have chronic health problems, can usually get some help from friends and family, and are often living in totally unsuitable environments that lack kitchen and plumbing facilities. Both Richard and Laura as well as Julia encouraged us all to pay more attention when our churches are asking for support for this needed program.

A note from Tom Rosenberger was addressed to his Sertoma friends and thanked us for our support when his brother died. He remarked, "It's times like these when friends mean the most."

David Downing from Kinship was overwhelmed and pleased to announce that the 100 mentors in 100 days campaign was truly successful since the current total of applications is at 106 with more out there.

Prayers go out to Karla Nelson and her family. She will be having breast cancer surgery on January 2nd.

Congratulations to Aaron Meester, the proud father of twin girls born on December 11th.

Thanks Culligan for donating 6 cases of water to the concession stand at Winter Wonderland.

• The curling team is undefeated--they won by forfeit last week.The curling team is undefeated--they won by forfeit last week.
• Gorgeous George the sergeant did his MacArthur imitation this week-since we were short of time he assured us he would return next week.
• Jerry Peterson got fined for being a radio star!
• Kristine Hoheisel paid an elf fine.
• Sheriff Dahl is cooking loons and eagles.
• Joyce Frid paid for her outstanding holiday outfit.
• Karen Owen needs to take table dancing lessons from Karla Nelson--something about falling falling falling!
• Dave Clausen thinks he is the epitome of a leader--is working on his own version of how to win friends and influence people.
• LoAnn Reponen is refining yellow snow.
• Brian Kirkpatrick is so retired he had to be reminded that he (a) did not have to go to the office any more and (b) had not excuse for not realizing he was a greeter today.

Kari Barnes and her assistant Cathy Picek are the go-to folks for Pipe and Drape information.

Need awards? Did you lose your pin? Bonnie Cumberland (bcumberland@mailstation.com) is the person in charge of awards and meeting paraphernalia.