January 2023

Upcoming local bloodmobile dates give opportunity to help com January is National Blood Donor Month - not only a time the American Red Cross designates for celebrating those who donate blood, but also to raise awareness for the constant need for blood donations. “We are really grateful to those people [who donate blood] because we’re working all the time to ensure a stable blood supply,” says American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas region Communications Manager Sue Thesenga.

With the recent snowfall, the Montevideo Wellbriety group, along with the newly formed Junior Homies group that meet at the Advanced Recovery Opportunities (A.R.O.) facility found an opportunity to help out those in the community who have difficulty clearing snow. The groups members regularly shovel for an elderly community member that has no family in the community to help. That community member provided the group with a list of names and addresses of people in the community who, because of health and age-related issues, have had trouble clearing the snow from their walkways. Thus, the group gathered last Wednesday, shovels in tow, to do some good for those in the community most in need of some help. As they gathered to head out for an afternoon of volunteering, one of the group members, Patrick Lundberg said, “We just like to do good where we can.” The group also notes that they hope to continue to provide help with snow removal to those who need it most, and would welcome any volunteers who would like to help out with the project. A.R.O. also works with probation and intensive supervised release parole agents to provide community service work hours, so helping with the project could be a way for those in need of filling community service hours to get some of those fulfilled. Those who would like to volunteer can contact A.R.O. at 320-321-1067. Pictured are volunteers from the groups that helped out with Wednesday’s shoveling efforts. (Left to right) Jim Reid, Caleb Roach, Ryan Salzwedel, Morgan IronHeart, Patrick Lundgren, Leo Baker Jr (front), Lakota Baker, Ty Bowen, Michael IronHeart, Leo “Gunner” Baker.