The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation is proud to honor Jim and Merry Lynn Roelofs as the 2025 recipients of the Award in Philanthropy. The Award in Philanthropy was created to honor those who act out of love for others, build a better community, and inspire the next generation of philanthropic leaders.
Never Stop Showing Up
In a world where many wait for someone else to lead, Jim and Merry Lynn quietly rolled up their sleeves and got to work. For more than 45 years, they’ve been the kind of neighbors who don’t just notice what needs doing—they do it. Whether building a public library, lighting a city park, bringing medical care across the globe, or simply adding fairy houses to a local trail, their impact is felt in big and small ways. They don’t ask for credit. They just keep showing up—with purpose, compassion, and a deep love for the Lakes Area.
Rooted in Service
Jim and Merry Lynn both grew up in Sioux Center, Iowa, where civic involvement was woven into daily life. Jim’s father served as treasurer of the local Chamber of Commerce, while Merry Lynn’s father was active on the economic development board. These early role models instilled in them a deep belief in community responsibility and the power of showing up. As Merry Lynn says, “The world is run by those who show up.” That simple philosophy has shaped their lifelong commitment to giving back.
Both earned degrees from the University of Iowa: Jim with a medical degree in radiology and Merry Lynn with a master’s in library science. In 1979, they made Brainerd their home and immediately began contributing to its growth and vitality. For the Roelofs, volunteering wasn’t something to be talked about—it was simply what one did. Their daughter Ann Kaim puts it best: “They always were involved. I don’t even remember the beginning of it.”
Building a Better Community
Jim and Merry Lynn have supported a wide array of local nonprofits and initiatives—quietly, consistently, and impactfully.
Merry Lynn has been especially dedicated to civic literacy and public access to knowledge. She was a driving force behind the bond issue that funded the construction of the current Brainerd Public Library. “Everyone needs a library,” she says. “I have a master’s in library science, so I helped build one.”
She has also served on the County Social Services Board, the Community Education Board, the Health Services Board, has long been active in her church, ongoing book sales for the Library, and has been a supporter of many organizations throughout her life.
Jim, a founder of Diagnostic Imaging Associates, brought advanced radiology medical services to the region and helped grow the area’s medical infrastructure. He served nine years on the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation Board, and 10 on the CommunityGiving board. His leadership extended to the Benedictine Health System, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Bremer Bank, and the Rotary Club. He also co-founded the Lakes Area Prostate Cancer Support Group and was a passionate advocate for the Brainerd Riverfront project.
Together, the Roelofs led efforts to install lighting at the Gregory Park tennis courts and Mills Field, enhancing safe and accessible recreation spaces. And, in perhaps one of their most whimsical contributions, they maintain a collection of fairy houses and care for goats along the Paul Bunyan State Trail near their home—small gestures that spark joy for children and adults alike.
A Global Perspective
The Roelofs’ generosity extends beyond Brainerd. They have served on medical missions with The Faith Project in Haiti, Bairo Pite Free Clinic in East Timor, and both the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center and the Foundation for Cancer Care in Tanzania. Jim provided hands-on training and radiology expertise, while Merry Lynn taught English and offered community support. Wherever they go, they embody a spirit of service and compassion from their roots in Iowa and the many communities they’ve lived, to several international towns and here in the Lakes Area.
The Heart of Philanthropy
The Roelofs’ philosophy is simple: If each of us contributes our skills, time, and energy, we can build a better community together. “It’s about what we can do for other people—for our neighbors,” Merry Lynn reflects. “Focus on the little guy, because that’s where it starts.” Their approach to philanthropy isn’t about recognition or resources—it’s about responsibility. As Helen Keller famously said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Their daughter Ann shared her admiration: “They probably feel a separation from philanthropy and volunteerism. When they think of philanthropy, they think of people with a lot of money. But it’s woven into their personalities, that desire and need to help — they just do it. It wasn’t about why we helped. It was just what we did.”
It’s clear that the “little things” done by people like the Roelofs, while not always highly visible, are deeply impactful. They show how small, thoughtful acts—whether it’s delivering a care package to a neighbor in need, lending a hand on a service project, or leaving a surprise for young bikers behind the whimsical fairy doors Jim built into tree trunks along the paved trail near their home—can profoundly impact others and help build a more caring, connected community.
A Lasting Legacy
Jim and Merry Lynn have raised a family that mirrors their values: Ann (Frank) Kaim, Laura (Kip) Lynk, and Mark (Jeremy) Roelofs-Lynch, along with grandchildren Franz, Eva, Nolan, Kyan, Mya, Tyler, and Wyatt.
Whether attending board meetings, leading youth groups, or donning a blazer (after a day in jeans) to support a community cause, the Roelofs have never stopped showing up. As demonstrated by a recent trip taken with their two oldest grandchildren, they recognize sometimes creating positive change can be as simple as spending time and creating memories with family, helping to instill the same values around compassion, kindness, and generosity they were taught – hopefully carrying on the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors and building a brighter community together.
Their story is a testament to how enduring impact comes from care, consistency, and community. The Lakes Area is stronger, kinder, and more connected because of them—and their example will continue to inspire the next generation of philanthropic leaders.
“Jim and Merry Lynn have quietly and generously given financially, shared their talents and gifts with many, and given something even more valuable – their time to help others and build community. They both believe that each of us carries a personal responsibility—a calling—to nurture what may be life’s most meaningful purpose: building relationships and helping others. By consistently showing up, spreading seeds of kindness and generosity, they have helped transform the lives of our friends and neighbors and helped to better our community in countless ways,” says Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation Executive Director Terri Foster.
“Their giving spirit, humble leadership, and deep compassion reflect the very best of what philanthropy means (to love mankind),” Foster continues. “They are so deserving of this award and our community is extremely blessed and far better for having them be a part of it. Congratulations and thank you both for your philanthropy that is clearly rooted love for this place and its people.”