Brainerd, Minn. –The Women’s Fund has named Sherri DeLaHunt the 2016 Women Making Waves Award recipient. Sherri was chosen for the award because of her commitment to the community through her immense volunteer work and her enthusiasm for giving back to others.
DeLaHunt will be receiving the “Women Making Waves” Award at the Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund event on Wednesday April 27th. To register to attend the event, visit communitygiving.org/events
An educator for over 30 years, Sherri spent the first 15 years of her teaching career at the Minnesota Learning Center, a residential treatment center, on the campus of the Brainerd Regional Center, working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. She spent 19 years as a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Brainerd. Sherri retired in 2006, but continues to consult with the Paul Bunyan Educational Cooperative, assessing children for special education services, mentoring new teachers and providing training on assessment and due process.
She has enjoyed many volunteer opportunities and credits her parents for setting the example of a life of service for her and her sibling. Sherri currently serves as President of the Brainerd Area Retired Educators and the local Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary women educators’ organization, where she also serves as chair of the International Living Memorial Scholarship committee, which promotes world understanding through foreign travel and study. Sherri also volunteers with many organizations including Friends of the Brainerd Public Library, Lakes Area Music Festival and Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Area Race for the Cure. Sherri has often stated, ‘When I am on my way to a meeting or event as a volunteer, I am going to be of service to others. When I am on my way home, I know I am the one who was served. A life of service is a life well lived!’
Executive Director of Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) Karl Samp remarks, “Sherri is such an asset to our community. Her commitment to students and those less fortunate in our community are testimony to her giving and caring personality. When I see the Greek Proverb, ‘A society grows great when ‘people’ plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in,’ I am reminded of Sherri DeLaHunt.”
The mission of the Women Making Waves Award is to recognize and honor the Brainerd Lakes Area women who has significantly contributed in the field of philanthropy in the region by their personal and/or professional contributions. It is important that this woman share her time, talent and financial resources within the community. Past winners of the award include Sue Hadland, Pam O’Rourke and Cindy Moore.
The Women’s Fund started the award in 2011 to recognize women making outstanding contributions in the Lakes Area. The award is presented on behalf of the Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund, a committee within the BLACF, committed to creating and supporting programs that empower and enrich the lives of women and girls.
The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, BLACF has grown to over $7.9 million in assets and awarded over $3.5 million in grants to local nonprofits. CommunityGiving is a partnership of four community foundations, including Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and Willmar Area Community Foundation. CommunityGiving administers more than 650 funds totaling more than $115 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org.