It was a wonderful week of celebrations as the Owatonna Foundation celebrated Foundation Week from October 1^st through the 7^th This special time of the year is when we recognize and honor those that have helped the Foundation fulfill its mission “to improve the quality of life for present and future generations by supporting Owatonna projects that focus on community, arts, recreation and education.”

The celebrations began with our Legacy Luncheon on Wednesday were we welcomed close to 100 guests that were recognized for their contributions to the Foundation, many of  them being Legacy Society members that have included the Foundation in their estate plans.  Thank you for your continued support! We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our Legacy Luncheon speaker, Diane Amundson who shared an amazing and energetic presentation on philanthropy. We also recognized our 2017 “Spirit of the Community” Award winners, Jerry and Carol Deetz. Our sincere thanks to the Owatonna Country Club for the delicious lunch, Perfect Day Cakes for making our centerpieces, Quintessential Jazz who entertained us, Leanne Alt of The Third Hand Inc. Video Productions for videotaping the event, and the Staff of the Steele County History Center for providing a wonderful venue.

On Thursday we welcomed local business professionals to a breakfast at the Arts Center where they heard testimonials from both donors and grant recipients on how much the Foundation has meant to them personally and as organizations. Our sincere thanks to Otto and Joanne Havelka, Marilee Pfarr, Jolayne Mohs, and Sam Davidson who all spoke on behalf of the Foundation. The Arts Center provided a lovely venue and we thank Silvan Durben and the Arts Center for hosting us and for all their help.

The fun continued at the Holiday Inn later that day when we enjoyed our Wine and Beer Tasting Event. Special thanks to Dave Issacson and Chris Meneguzzo of Cashwise Liquor for all they did to organize a wonderful evening! Our thanks to Daren Wradislavsky, Sherri Severson, and the Holiday Inn staff for the great service and food, the many vendors who provided the wine and beer, and to our guests for their attendance!  Thank you to Vern Wilker who was our auctioneer for our live auction, and our thanks to those that purchased the items on the auction.

On Friday, October 7^th, where, despite the rain, we shared some hometown Husky sprit by tossing out t-shirts to the crowd at the football game. Thank you to Court Sports for the t-shirts, Mara Oien and the OHS Cheerleaders for doing the t-shirt toss for us, and to Brad Fischer and Paul Hokanson for making the announcements.

Saturday we welcomed guests to the Foundation Office at 108 West Park Square for conversation, cookies, and coffee. Our thanks to Old Town Bagels and Central Park Coffee for providing the cookies and coffee for all to enjoy! Ashton Jensen did an amazing job taking the pictures for our second  “Mystery Photo Contest”. Thanks, Ashton! The first fifty entrants that morning were treated to a Culvers value basket (thanks, Culvers!). At noon we drew for the grand prize package which was won by the Neil and Lindsey Thompson Family, second prize went to the Ihrke Family (Corey, Sara, and Katie), third prize was won by Joel Eaton, and fourth prize was won by Howard Engen. A special thank you to everyone that donated prizes to us: Owatonna Park and Rec – Holiday Inn – Dufresne, Wayne and Associates – Hy-Vee – Viracon – Kottke Jewelers –  Alexander Lumber – Charlie Herrmann -Plaza Morena – Fareway Foods – Steele County Historical Society – Owatonna Arts Center – Owatonna Country Club, and Elwood Star Cleaners.

Additional thanks go out to our Foundation Week Committee members: Betsy Lindgren, Monte Mitchell, Tom Dufresne, and Mike Jensen, and to all the local media that helped us to promote the week. Thank you!

To everyone that participated in the week’s activities and to those that support the Owatonna Foundation through their giving so that we can continue to enhance our beautiful community-thank you!  We are blessed to live in a community that embraces and works toward the continual improvement of our quality of life and it is the dedication of our local businesses and citizens that helps us to accomplish all we do.  And finally, my sincerest thanks to the Owatonna Foundation Board of Trustees for their steadfast dedication and commitment to the Foundation and to Owatonna!

Most sincerely,
Laura Resler
Executive Director, Owatonna Foundation