Did you know that if you are between the ages of 16 and 40, North Dakota wants you – to donate blood at a blood bank? Blood banks are working to support area hospitals as they prepare for higher COVID-19 numbers, so if you are able, call your local blood bank and set up a socially-distanced appointment!
And did you know that there are so many good people in North Dakota that EVERY story this week’s news is the Story of the Week? Read on.
The employees at Comfort King Mattress Factory are using their rayon – usually meant for the side of mattresses – to make more than 2,000 free, reusable face masks for the community…and they will continue to make them until no one wants them anymore. (Fargo Forum)
My co-worker’s husband drives truck and said that many of the gas stations across the country have closed down, making it tough to stop for a bathroom break or a hot meal – which is why it’s so great that Ron Heisler of Rustic Ronnie’s is serving up a free meal for a truckers that come through town. (KX Net)
The staff of Randy’s Diner is now solely serving up 700 free meals a day for North Dakotans with disabilities – and 100 of those meals are being donated by a local family, who are offering a match up to $10,000 for any other community members looking to help. (Fargo Forum)
To help ease the burden for families who have seen a loss of income and are struggling to feed their families, let along their pets, the Circle of Friends Animal Shelter is offering free food and toys to the area food pantry – and also delivering pet food to seniors who are unable to leave the house. (Grand Forks Herald)
South Heart School in Dickinson have taken free lunches one step further by offering low-cost meals to adults, as well. (Dickinson Press)
When the soup kitchen in Bismarck ran out of bread, the local bakery dusted off its rolling pins to help. (KX Net)
The 50’s are back! The folks of Cooperstown took a night to cruise around town. (Grand Forks Herald)
A Facebook sewing group in McKenzie County has turned on their machines to make masks for healthcare workers using materials donated by area businesses. (Williston Herald)
A very big thank you to our school districts for making sure all of our North Dakota students are fed – like at Jamestown, where they have now launched an online sign-up for people who are having trouble leaving the house… (Jamestown Sun)
…And Park River, where they have set up a delivery service. (Grand Forks Herald)
There are so many businesses and organizations that have stepped up to assist the schools in providing meals for children, seniors, and families – like Minot’s Dakota Kids Dentistry and Subway, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. (Minot Daily News) (KFYR TV)
If you are an aspiring, professional, or casual artist, the North Dakota Museum wants to see what you’ve been working on while social distancing. (KVRR)
Happy 104th birthday to Dickinson’s Helma Lein! Get a cup a coffee and settle in – her life is a fascinating read. (Dickinson Press)
I LOVE movie theater popcorn. (Minot Daily News)
One of the paras at my 8-year-old’s elementary school, the Lewis & Clark Lions, posted a note on Facebook that said, “We miss our little Lions.” We are so lucky to have such amazing teachers and staff in North Dakota – like Bismarck’s Yvonne Ebertz, who went around to wish her students happy birthday… (KFYR TV)
…And all of the teachers like Amy Zins and Rissa Williams who are finding unique ways to connect with their students outside of school. (KX Net)
In Minot, five intrepid people are printing 400 3D masks for healthcare workers. (KFYR TV)
Here is a beautiful look back at Fargo’s beloved dancer, Beverly Halbeisen Blanich. (Fargo Forum)
The photo in today’s post was taken by Steve Silverman. It is of Towering Butte on Berthold Bay, on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea in central North Dakota.
North Dakota Nice 