The Owatonna Foundation will celebrate Foundation Week October 1st through the 7th and invites the public to join in the festivities!

The week celebrates all that has been accomplished in the past 59 years through the generosity of the Owatonna community and their support of the Owatonna Foundation whose mission is: “to improve the quality of life for present and future generations by supporting Owatonna projects that focus on community, arts, recreation, and education.” 2017 will also be the official beginning of the Foundation’s fundraising campaign called “10 in 10”. This campaign’s goal is to raise enough funds so that the Foundation will have assets of 10 million dollars within ten years.  The Foundation is already over halfway to that goal, with current assets of over 5 million dollars. By reaching this goal, the Foundation, as directed by its spending policy, will be able to award $450,000 dollars a year for worthy Owatonna projects and scholarships.  “We are excited to embark on this new fundraising campaign. The idea for this campaign came out of our recent strategic planning session and will allow us to greatly impact our community for the future. As new capital projects and community initiatives come forth we will be able partner with, and support, Owatonna non-profits. Owatonna has always been a very philanthropic community and embraced projects for the betterment of the quality of life for all our citizens.” said Foundation President, Betsy Lindgren.

Established in 1957, the Owatonna Foundation has enhanced our community with a focus on capital projects. Some of the projects financially supported by the Foundation have included: the Central Park Bandstand, the Parks and Trail System, Soccer Complex, Softball Diamonds, Steele County Fair, Hospitality House, Owatonna Public Library, ISD #761, Homestead Hospice House, River Springs Water Park, the  Steele County History Center, Steele County Food Shelf, and Steele County Clothesline, among others. Since its beginning, over 260 projects, and $11.75 million dollars has been given back to the community.

On Wednesday, October 4^th, the Foundation will host their Legacy Luncheon to honor those donors who have included the Owatonna Foundation as part of their estate plan or made a contribution through the “Living Legacy” program.  The keynote speaker will be Diane Amundson, a motivational speaker who has worked with General Mills, Pepsi, and Express Employment Professionals. In 2009 Diane started her own training company serving clients throughout the Midwest in leadership development, conflict resolution, strategic planning and team building. She has a passion for giving back to her community and was featured on the front page of her local newspaper The Winona Daily News as the July 2017 volunteer of the month.  She has served as member or President of the local Rotary Club, Winona Community Foundation, Bluffview Montessori School Board, Ruskin Study Club, WSU Business College Advisory Board and United Way to name a few.

The lunch will also feature the annual presentation of the “Spirit of the Community Award” which will this year be presented to Jerry and Carol Deetz for their service to the community. The Legacy Luncheon is an invitation only event.

On Thursday, October 5^th the Foundation will host a “Breakfast for Professionals” at the Owatonna Arts Center. The short program will feature several speaker testimonials as to the importance and impact that the Foundation has made to them both as donors and as grant recipients. The speakers will include: Legacy Society members, Otto and Joanne Havelka and Jolayne Mohs. Grant recipients, Rod Mauer and Sam Davidson representing the “20” Rifle and Pistol Club and Marilee Pfarr of Wee Pals will also briefly speak. This event is by invitation only, but if you are a professional in the areas of insurance, banking, law, or financial planning and would like to attend, please call our office at 455-2995 to reserve your place.

Also on Thursday, October 5^th, the public is invited to attend a special Foundation Week tradition at our Wine and Beer Tasting Event, which this year will feature over 100 different beverages to sample. This fundraiser is graciously  co-sponsored  by Cash Wise Liquor and the Holiday Inn. The evening will feature wines, Minnesota breweries, and wonderful food.  Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and may be purchased at the Foundation Office at 108 West Park Square, Cashwise Liquor, from a Board Trustee, Kottke Jewelers, or by going to our website: www.owatonnafoundation.org.  The event takes place at the Holiday Inn & Suites and begins at 6:30 p.m. A live auction featuring several wine and food themed gift baskets from Cashwise Liquor and Foods, two wine tasting “road trips”, one of which features a Romance Package from the St. James Hotel will also be auctioned, and new this year, will be a dinner for 8 prepared by Betsy Lindgren and Laura Resler of the Owatonna Foundation and held at the historic Stephens and Sis Lange home. All proceeds go to the Owatonna Foundation to support their grant and scholarship programs.

On Friday night, October 6th, we will watch the Huskies “kick-off’” at the OHS football game between Owatonna and Rochester Century. The OHS cheerleaders will be tossing out t-shirts courtesy of Court Sports and More during the halftime activities. Show some hometown sprit and take your chance at catching a t-shirt!

On Saturday, October 7^ththe Owatonna Foundation office will be open from 8am until noon at 108 West Park Square across from Central Park. Stop in and enjoy coffee from Central Park Coffee and cookies from Old Town Bagels. Back by popular demand is a “Mystery Picture” photo contest! This is your chance to win an amazing “Experience Owatonna” package that includes an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites and 5 water park passes, value $250, $50 in Chamber Bucks from Dufresne Wayne and Associates, a family membership to Steele County Historical Society: value $45, an Owatonna Arts Center membership: value $100, An Owatonna County Club Experience package: value $200, a DeWalt shopvac: value $110 from Alexander Lumber, a Kottke Jewelry gift card, a Fareway Foods gift card, a Hy-Vee gift card and more! Total value of this grand prize package is over $1,000! There will be other prizes for second and third place with prizes from Park and Rec, Plaza Morena, Elwood Star Cleaners, Chamber Bucks and much more. Over $2000 will be given away! To enter you must fill out the photo contest form and identify 8 of the 16 mystery pictures that feature Foundation sponsored projects in Owatonna.Completed forms need to be dropped off at the Foundation office at 108 West Park Square on Saturday, October 7^h between 8 am and noon. Forms are available at Kottke Jewelers, Tri M Graphics, the Foundation office and on our website at www.owatonnafoundation.org. The first 50 contestants that enter will receive a value basket coupon from Culvers (value $10 each).

“We invite everyone to join us for this great week of activities that celebrates the Owatonna Foundation-your Community Foundation. For 59 years, through the generosity and vision of many civic minded citizens, the Foundation has made a positive impact on the quality of life for everyone that lives in Owatonna. The Owatonna Foundation is not just about granting funds to worthy projects, it’s about investing in ideas, vision, and people to ensure that these projects come to fruition. I am proud and humbled to be a part of this amazing legacy.” said Betsy Lindgren, Board President.

The Owatonna Foundation was established in 1957 with the goal of improving the quality of life for present and future generations of Owatonna residents.  For more information, visit theOwatonna Foundation web page at www.owatonnafoundation.org.or call our office at 455-2995.