Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Slowly but surely, the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau in Forest Lake is closing in on its 2006 capital fund-raising drive.

Motorists passing the YSB office on N. Lake St. have watched the past months as the signing marking the progress slowly inches. Local physician Ralph Magnusson is among those.

On a day last week, Dr. Magnusson stopped his car, went in to the YSB office and left a check for $1000 on behalf of himself and his wife, Dr. Betty Maloney. Both are affiliated with the Forest Lake Allina Clinic and have been supporters of the YSB mission to help teens and their parents.

Their donation in late December is just one example of how the 2006 fund drive marches on, says Pam Trudeau, the YSB staff member who heads the fund-raising tool.

The goal for 2006 is $100,000, a dollar amount needed to augment YSB funding in the wake of declining grant and endowment dollars that have forced the service agency to streamline its operation and turn outward for financial help.

With December rapidly waning, Trudeau says the fund drive has broken the $90,000 plateau in forms of pledges and gifts, but has an excellent chance to reach the goal, thanks to last minute giving by area residents who want to help while securing a tax deductible write-off for the year.

The $100,000 community giving goal will produce some 20 percent of the YSB's operating expense, Trudeau said.

"We are critically dependent on generosity from our partners for funding that enables us to maintain current programs as well as implement programs and services requested by youth and parents," she adds.

All efforts help

There have been many efforts that have helped in the 2006 drive, Trudeau said.

This fall's Stepping Out for Youth Gala is a positive example. With the support of more than 80 local business and the many who purchased tickets to attend the gala, the YSB netted a profit of $9400. That's three times the amount generated by the gala in 2005.

In celebrating its 30th anniversary in early December, a YSB booster club sponsored a "Birthday Bash" at Dummy's in Forest Lake. That event generated another $2400 in revenue for the YSB.

Thanks to groups like Thrivent Financial for Lutherans of Scandia and the Sunrise Bassmasters Club, the coffers grew by another $2400.

On Oct. 1, the club, led by Joe Anderson who is also a Thrivent agent, sponsored a bass fishing tournament in the Chisago Lakes area. The Bassmasters contest raised $1207 for YSB and the amount was matched by Thrivent Financial.

Russ Cooper, an avid fisherman and a retired principal at Forest Lake High School, was one of many club members who helped the YSB drive.

The United Way, another key donor, also helps the YSB in many ways. The YSB received $13,510 in donor designated gifts from 54 individuals through the Greater Twin Cities United Way in 2006, Trudeau said.

It is such efforts by organizations and individuals that have Trudeau believing the goal will yet be reached before the first day of 2007 arrives.

The YSB will accept gifts at its office, 244 N. Lake St., until 4:30 p.m. this Friday. Any gift posted through Dec. 31, 2006 will be receipted for the 2006 tax year.

2006 donors

The following is a list of all major donors who contributed to the 2006 fund-raising drive:

$1000 Plus Club

All State Giving Foundation - Matching Gift; Karen Alm and Brian Alm Family*; Barb Goerss/BG SOLD Team*; Gail Brandt.

Brian Brogmus and Claire Kotts; Dummys Bar & Grill; ECM Publishers, $1500*; Edina Realty Foundation (Forest Lake Office) $1500*; Elliot Gerard*; First State Bank of Wyoming, $2000*; Jim and Elizabeth Foley.

Forest Lake Ford/John Berken, $2500*; Forest Lake High School Class of 1984; Forest Lake Rotary Club, $2000*; Jan Foss (Tom Mehlhoff Restorative Justice and Volunteer Fund $5000)*; Hallberg Family Foundation*; Corbett and Lynn Johnson.

Lake Street Federal Credit Union, $1500; Kathy and Clare Lillis*; Drs. Ralph Magnusson and Betty Maloney; Maranatha Assembly of God Church*; Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, $1000*; North Branch Hockey Association*; Olson Sewer Service; Patriot Bank Minnesota*; Renee Wagner, $3000*; Sons of American Legion Post 225, $4000*.

Sunrise Bassmasters, $1207 Tournament Donation*; Target of Forest Lake*; Thrivent Financial for Lutherans - Matching Gift; Lou and Pam Trudeau*; Upper Deck Grill & Bar (Bo Bogotty)*; Wal-Mart of Forest Lake*; $2000; Jeanne and Bob Walz in memory of Kelly J. Thompson*; Greg and Cady Lindeberg*/

Sponsor a Youth Donations - $325-$999:

American Spirit Graphics Corp.*

Mike and Mary Aschenbrener*; Joanne Brown; Centennial Youth Hockey Association; Chisago Lakes Lions Club; Church of St. Gregory the Great*; Church of St. Peter-Forest Lake*; Concrete Pump Repair*; El Ewert.

Faith Lutheran Church*; David Goiffon; William Haring*; Paul and Susan Hutchison*; Kathryn M. Johnson*; Greg and Fran Klausen; Scott Kraiter; Forest Lake Memorial Quilters.

Mid-Minnesota Wire & Mfg., Inc*; Miller Law Office*; Mark Nicklawske*; Old Log Cabin*; Polaris; Mr. and Mrs. Don Ringstmeyer; Matt Sackmaster; Scandia Marine Lions*; Mindy Smith ; Springs Inc.; TCF Bank Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Vohs*; Bea and Myron Zaruba*.

*Indicates Sustaining Members (consecutive year donations at this level or higher. Friend Level Donors ($1-$324) and in-kind donors are not included in this list.)

Top of Page