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Zack S. offered our invocation. President Katie introduced prospective member Stephanie Grow with the YMCA and also greeted Exchange Student Candi Musse who was again with us this week. Dean Monke introduced our four student guests from Hillcrest. Pictured left to right below are Vincent Nash, Student Body President; Kathryn (Katie) Holzner who went to State again this year in cross-country; Ava Lindgren, Student Body Chaplin (works at Victor Lundeen Co.); and Preston Bergem who plays boys basketball.  Katie announced that this coming week we will hold our regular meeting at noon and then are planning a social event for the evening. There is a meet and greet with basketball players at M State which starts at 4:30 p.m. and then Rotarians and spouses are encouraged to assemble at Northern Aire Lanes around 5:15 p.m. for pizza. Everyone will hopefully then return to M State and take in basketball games for both the women and men. It is Shoot for the Cure Night at the games so there is no admission charge, but freewill donations are being solicited to benefit the Fergus Falls Area College Foundation and the Lake Region Cancer Center. We also understand Morning Kiwanis is holding a social at the game the same night, so there could be a little competition as to who turns out the greater number of club members or is the most vocal. Brian T. encouraged members to sell tickets for The Magic of Rotary event at The Center for the Arts on February 23rd. A sheet for people to indicate their sizes for Rotary vests was passed around. Then we went into brags and fines, with Lisa M. and Holly W. each contributing for either missing last week's meeting or having to leave the day's meeting early. Steve L. told us of a grandson in Alexandria that participates in robotics and received an all-conference academic award; Zack S. thanked our speaker for the day and told us he really enjoyed last week's middle school musical; and Brian T. capped it off by talking a little about Candi. Zack S. then introduced our speaker, Erin Tysver, who has been at the Health Resource Center for 14 years and is its director. It is a 501(c)(3) organization and works alongside individuals and families and offers one-on-one mentorship and resources in the areas of parenting and pregnancy, life coaching and sexual health. It has been serving Fergus Falls and the surrounding area since 1983. Its original location was above the old post office but now is located at 126 E. Lincoln Avenue. The services offered to the public are free and in 2024 the Center had 1,016 visits, of which 49.4% were new clients and 12% were individuals in their teens. A medical director is employed and a women may obtain pregnancy testing, pre-natal vitamins and ultra-sounds through the Center. Educational programs include promoting safe relationships, in addition to parenting and pregnancy classes. In 2024, 771 people attended classes offered by it. There is also an in-house baby boutique stocked with diapers, bottles, baby clothes, etc. There are six people employed by the Center and it is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The ultimate goal is to build stronger family units in the area. |
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