The Owatonna Foundation is pleased to announce that a $10,000 donation has been made to the Foundation by the Gopher Sport Giving Team. Gopher Sport is a leading supplier of unique, high-quality, sports, physical education, fitness and early childhood products. Since 1947 they have earned the trust and respect of their customers by providing the very best service and products available. They are dedicated to providing products that will improve fitness, develop skills, create fun, and help everyone reach a high standard of learning and living. Their mission is to increase the happiness, confidence and self-esteem of young and old by helping them lead more active and healthy lives.

Along with a corporate philosophy of commitment to, and caring for our community, The Gopher Sport Giving Team members were quick to point out that being able to see a positive impact on the community means a lot to Gopher Sport. Caring is part of the core values of the company and it has always been part of the corporate and employee philosophy to give back to the communities of their Team Members. They do this through the giving of their time as well as product and cash donations.

“The Owatonna Foundation wishes to express its gratitude for this very generous gift. We truly appreciate the Gopher Sport Giving Team’s philosophy, their humbleness, and their commitment to making Owatonna a better place for all of us.  This gift will help to continue the Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life for present and future generations by supporting Owatonna projects that focus, in this case particularly, on Recreation.” said Foundation Trustee, Kent Kienholz who has worked with the Gopher Sport Giving team.

The Owatonna Foundation, now in its 59^th year of serving the Owatonna community, provides “brick and mortar” grants in Owatonna and its environs in four areas: Community, Arts, Recreation and Education.  The Foundation also provides both traditional and non-traditional scholarships for 2 year colleges and technical schools.

The Foundation was established in 1957 with the goal of improving the quality of life for present and future generations of Owatonna residents.  Since then, the Owatonna Foundation has committed more than $11.7 million dollars in grants and scholarships to local organizations and students. For more information about the Owatonna Foundation, grants or scholarships, please visit our website at: www.owatonnafoundation.org, or call our office at 455-2995.

Pictured left to right: Gopher Sport Team Member: Beth Gauthier-Jenkin, Trustee: Jay Johnson, Team Member: Jordan Lofgren, Trustees: Kent Kienholz, Todd Hale & Denny Meillier, Team Members: Rosa Ackerman and Eric Titchenal, and Trustees: Sharon West, Betsy Lindgren, and Dave Einhaus.