Kerri-Lynn and Dean Larimer, a school teacher and social service worker, respectfully, returned from a treatment trip to Mayo Clinic to find new floors, a new bathroom, a new furnace, new light fixtures, repainted walls, more trim, and a tidied yard – all thanks to a host of volunteers who wanted to show their love and support for the family during Kerri-Lynn’s melanoma fight. All of the materials and labor were free, including the assistance from the University of Minnesota-Crookston baseball team. Kerri-Lynn’s friends have also set up a GoFundMe to assist with the cost of treatment because, according to the GoFundMe site, insurance has chosen to stop coverage on her oncologist-recommended Chemotherapy. You can donate here.
Sweet Briar School, located near Mandan, is one of a few remaining small rural schools in North Dakota, but it is as strong as ever. The school has 22 children from Kindergarten to 7th grade, although it can go to 8th grade if the students exist. And just because it’s small, doesn’t mean it’s behind the times; Sweet Briar School has all of the latest 21st century learning mechanisms available to all North Dakota schools, including Lego robotics and extracurriculars. Take a few minutes and read the whole Bismarck Tribune’s spotlight on the District; it will make you want to move to Sweet Briar.
Vel Rae Burkholder celebrated with AARP’s most prestigious award for community service (KVRR)
After 22 years of volunteering for the AARP, 82-year old Vel Rae Burkholder of Fargo has been presented with the organization’s 2018 Andrus Award. As a part of the award, AARP will donate $500 to Moorhead’s Theater B, a charity Vel Rae selected. From the story on KVRR:
While she says she’s both humbled and honored to receive the award, she says volunteering has always been her the best prize of all.
“It just seems like something that means more to you then. You learn from them as well as they learn from you and I just feel that it makes you happier,” Burkholder said.
North Dakota Nice 