Story courtesy of The Northern Star Newspaper, Clinton, MN

Work of Graceville Mercy Center  To Help Those in Need of Basics

The Work of Mercy Center has been established by a group of local volunteers to help individuals and families in need of basic household items. The Mercy Center is a ministry to serve Big Stone, Traverse, Lac qui Parle and Stevens counties, as well as the surrounding area. Father Brian Oestreich, Pastor of the local Catholic churches and church members developed the idea of The Work of Mercy Center. “Our mission is to have basic items available to individuals and families in need at no cost. Some of the items we try to have available include clothing, hygiene items, shoes, dishes, pots, pans, diapers, bedding and many others,” said Katie Jensen, church member. “Everyone is welcome at The Mercy Center”, Oestreich stated. “We offer special hospitality to our guests, to care for their basic human needs and to treat them as respected people of God”.

The Work of Mercy Center is located in the old school building of Holy Rosary Parish, 711 Studdart Ave, in Graceville.  Weekly hours are Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday afternoons 1-3 p.m., or by private appointment. Please call Katie at 320-748-7259 to make an appointment. The location was chosen due to the availability of space needed to display all of the items donated by generous individuals.  This room and articles have no affiliation with any church or social service agencies and is open to anyone regardless of race or creed. It is a Christian based outlet serving anyone in need from the surrounding communities.

Information cards have been given and are displayed in area hospitals, clinics, law enforcement offices, businesses, and schools. When visiting The Mercy Center, you will find gently used and new clothing from infants to adults, dishes, pots and pans, bedding, bath towels, dish cloths, etc.  These items are all free for the taking (no hoops or hurdles.)  There is a simple registration to fill out but nothing else. If a larger piece of furniture is needed, the volunteers and Board of Directors will do their best to find the needed items. Donations of clean, usable, appropriate clothing and house hold items are always needed. Please call or deliver your donations during regular weekly hours. There is a need for personal hygiene items at this time.For more information about The Work of Mercy Center, please call Katie Jensen at 320-748-7259.

Thank you to State Senator Torrey Westrom and State Representative Jeff Backer for the legislative updates and an opportunity for residents to visit about topics that are important to Big Stone County! It was certainly not an ideal travel day for them to make the trip.

I’ve attached the two handouts that were distributed to everyone as they each gave a brief update on their work in St. Paul. Once they’d given their update, the residents kept them engaged past the 9:00 a.m. scheduled closing for the meeting.

Topics that were discussed: concerns regarding the low reimbursements that threaten the viability of small-town hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies; status of the licensing bureau, daycares (Kendra Moberg made some very good points on changes that could help rural daycare programs – and maybe a trip to St. Paul is in her future!); the guidance document that was recently put out by the DNR on County ditches; rural grocery stores & the Good Food Access; diversifying crops; rain tax; LGA; Border City Tax Credits/Enterprise Funds – and others. Watch the Northern Star and Ortonville Independent for a full story on the Town Hall meeting.

Thank you to Kathy Draeger-Jorgenson for organizing this opportunity to speak with our representatives! (This is her third year organizing!) – and to the Downtown Diner for hosting the event!

What a fun evening and fun people.  I had the pleasure of attending the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting tonight at Sioux Historic on Big Stone Lake. I’ve never attended this event in the past but I can tell you that I will be going again!  It was a great evening.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by Chamber Director Mary Hillman, with a big smile.  Mary and I have been acquainted for several years through family and friends and it’s always fun to see her.  I had the opportunity to register for door prizes and then made my way to the silent auction items to take a quick look.   There was also an opportunity to play plinko and bean bag toss to win other prizes.  The Chamber members were so generous in their donations to the event.  I bid on a few items that I thought might be fun and continued on my way to the bar for Happy Hour!

Sioux Historic is one of the gems of MNbump,  I remember as a young girl spending many Friday and Sunday nights there roller skating.  The big ballroom was filled with tables for the chamber members.  We took our seats and Mary introduced new Chamber President Ryan Kehnle.  Ryan handled the business part of the meeting well, and we were soon on our way to a fabulous buffet of pasta and pizza.  To top it off, we were able to have cupcakes and ice cream!

During the meal, drawings were made for door prizes and the lucky winners were able to pick out one of the prizes that were donated by Chamber members.   Bidding on the silent auction items continued until 8:00 pm.   It was a great fund raiser for the Chamber in addition to a great opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.

I saw some people that I hadn’t seen in awhile as well as many friends and even met a few new friends.  Thanks Big Stone Area Growth and MNbump for letting me represent you tonight.  What an enjoyable evening in the MNbump!!