Dear Minot:
Community support comes in a variety of ways.
We have a wonderful network of organizations in Minot and the surrounding area to provide everything from Scouting opportunities for boys and girls, to improving our hunting habitats, to ensuring more of the hungry residents in Minot are fed, to offering a wide variety of essential services for children, to our local churches that bring soup kitchens and food pantries to the needy residents of our community.
All of these organizations provide necessary and often unique support for members of our community, and often for residents who need a helping hand the most. As members of this community, we can help these organizations make an even bigger difference in the lives of many of our residents.
Right now seems to be the busy season for fundraising in our community. You can easily find organizations selling raffle tickets, promoting tickets for banquets, collecting free will donations for medical benefits, hosting pancake and other types of fundraising breakfasts or roast beef dinners, extending invitations to various types of galas, and selling cookies or other food items. The list goes on and on.
And that can be a good thing, because it shows that our community has created endless ways to rally around an organization, family, or individual who needs assistance. It’s unfortunate that these needs exist in Minot, but our community and its residents have always been great at rising to the challenges when called on in times of need. Minot is a better place when all of us contribute to the overall well-being of our entire community.
I know I’m not the only one, but often times you will find on my desk, both at home and in my office at City Hall, an assortment of raffle ticket stubs, banquet tickets, 50/50 tickets, and more. There are so many great causes in our community, and it’s impossible to participate in all of them. But I encourage you to identify the causes, organizations, or events you’re most interested in, and find a way to take part and show your support.
And that support doesn't necessarily have to come from your wallet. Time and talent are needed by so many organizations, and there are endless ways to contribute to the success of a local charity or group.
Perhaps it’s delivering for the Meals on Wheels program run by the Minot Commission on Aging. Or packing and/or delivering food to local schools as part of the Souris Valley United Way’s Backpack Buddies program. Or volunteering at a local animal shelter, or serving food at a local fundraising benefit to help offset someone’s medical expenses after an accident.
You’re an electrician, carpenter, or plumber? Maybe a local church needs help with a small project. You own a concrete or roofing company? Maybe a local non-profit could benefit from your advice and assistance in making repairs to their building. A mechanic? Maybe a local Scout troop’s bus needs a tune-up.
The point is, there are many ways to help your community that don’t involve providing financial support, although that’s also a great option if you’re willing and able to make a monetary donation. But contributing your time and talent is often just as important as making a financial contribution.
I challenge all of you to choose the way or ways you can help. Trust me, what you get back will be so much more rewarding than what you put in.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.