Local service organizations make impact on community

LOCAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

impact the community by giving back

The Alexandria lakes area is home to many different service organizations and nonprofit organizations whose mission it is to give back and help those in need.

Highlighted below are four service organizations that have made a big impact on this community.

Kathryn LeBrasseur and Craig McMillan are both recipients of the Sertoma Service to Mankind award. Echo Press file photo

KIWANIS

Kiwanis is a worldwide organization that is dedicated to serving the children of the world. Through service projects and fundraisers, Kiwanis members help to improve their communities, make lifelong friendships and help children reach their full potential.

Kiwanis offers programs for students, including Terrific Kids, Bring Up Grades and Key Leader. Terrific Kids and Bring Up Grades, both for students ages 6-12, teach children to plan, set goals, work with others and celebrate success. Key Leader is a weekend experiential leadership retreat for teens.

The Alexandria Noon Kiwanis meet at the Broadway Ballroom every Tuesday of the month, except for the third Tuesday. They meet from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, visit alexandriamnkiwanis.club.

The Golden K Kiwanis meet every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Alexandria Senior Center. For more information, visit alexgoldenk.com.

ALEXANDRIA LIONS CLUB

Founded in 1917, Lions Clubs are best known for fighting blindness, but they also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects, including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.

The Alexandria Lions Club meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at Broadway Ballroom in Alexandria.

For more information, visit e-clubhouse.org/sites/ alexandriamn/index.php.

ALEXANDRIA ROTARY CLUB

Rotary is an opportunity to build lifelong friendships and experience the personal fulfillment of providing volunteer service to others. An organization of business and professional leaders, Rotary provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and builds good will and peace in the world.

The Alexandria Rotary Club was organized with a membership of 17 on Feb. 18, 1938. The first Rotary luncheon meeting took place at the Alexandria Hotel on Feb. 24, 1938.

Doctors Deborah Ristvedt and Lowell Gess share smiles of surprise and joy after Ristvedt was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship award at an Alexandria Lions Club dinner. Echo Press file photo

Service from Page 50

The club currently has nearly 90 members representing the full range of businesses and industries in the lakes area. From young professionals to executives to retirees, members of the Alexandria club have one thing in common – a passionate desire to be involved and make a difference in our community.

The Alexandria Rotary Club meets Thursdays at noon at the Broadway Ballroom.

For more information, visit alexmnrotary.org.

SERTOMA

Sertoma is one of the oldest service clubs in the United States. It operates nationwide, with deep roots in the communities they serve at the local level. Members seek to transform lives and, in doing so, transform themselves. Sertomans are men and women who understand that they can accomplish more together than they can alone. They know they can make a difference with their national mission of hearing health and in the other important areas of service their clubs provide.

For the past century and the next, Sertoma’s purpose has been and will be to continue to meet the needs of communities through service.

The Alexandria Sertoma Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Broadway Ballroom.

For more information, visit sertoma. org.

Evan Clemensen of Ashby enjoys an ear of corn at the annual Rotary Corn and Pork Chop Jubilee. Echo Press file photo At the 2020 Rotary Corn and Pork feed, volunteers served drive-through customers at the fire station in Alexandria. Money from the annual fundraiser is used to support a variety of community service projects. Echo Press file photo

EDUCATION in Douglas County

Douglas County is home to three public school districts and a number of private education options, serving more than 4,800 students. Each school provides a strong education framework for students as well as providing additional courses and learning possibilities. The Alexandria Technical and Community College is ranked 8th best Community College in the nation and #1 in Minnesota. The college’s connections to business and industry ensures currency and trade standards in its technical degrees, delivering a highly skilled workforce. ATCC is a member of the Minnesota State system and serves more than 3,800 students.

Source: Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission Public school districts

ALEXANDRIA

Student enrollment – 3,774 Student/teacher ratio – 16 to 1 Graduation rate – 91%

BRANDON-EVANSVILLE

Student enrollment – 417 Student/teacher ratio – 14 to 1 Graduation rate – 100%

OSAKIS

Student enrollment – 755 Student/teacher ratio – 16 to 1 Graduation rate – 97%

116 50th Avenue West, Alexandria, MN 56308 www.alexpowerequipment.com • 320.763.4994