“For 10 years, from 2008 to 2018, I was a board member and former president and treasurer of Restore House, a “half-way house” as the term used to be called for helping to free people from their addictions and integrate them back into society without relapse.”

Dawn Ganje is NMF’s Director for Community Philanthropy and volunteers with the Northwest Private Industry Council Board, a private, nonprofit organization that provides administration and oversight for federal and state employment and training services to residents and businesses across Northwest Minnesota.

Kari Cooper is a Program Officer who volunteers with the Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter.

Beau is or Chief Morale Officer, or our in-house therapy dog.

I raised my daughters in an area of Bemidji that was not particularly affluent. More than once, we returned home to find neighborhood children playing on our own backyard play structure.

I have volunteered for Bemidji Area Take a Kid Fishing. I think it is important to introduce children in our region to opportunities they have right outside their back door.