Brainerd, Minn. – The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation’s (BLACF) Board of Directors is proud to announce that Thomas Anderson of Brainerd, MN, is the 2024 BLACF Award in Philanthropy honoree. This award recognizes the efforts of an individual, family, or an organization who has significantly contributed to the field of philanthropy in the Brainerd Lakes Area – through their personal generosity, by giving of their treasure, talent, and time. The Award in Philanthropy was created to honor those who work to build a better community and to inspire the next generation of philanthropic leaders.
Anderson, fueled by a passion for community, has a special focus on business mentorship and his personal mission has been to support the growth of the Brainerd Lakes Area in all aspects. BLACF Executive Director, Terri Foster states, “Tom is the epitome of a philanthropist, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his generosity, of not only his treasure but something even more valuable, his time. He continually gives to the Lakes Area through his copious amounts of volunteerism through many local organizations including the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, the Brainerd Family YMCA, the Initiative Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation, Essentia Health, AARP/VITA, Brainerd Public Schools Foundation and right here with the BLACF. Countless lives have been touched by Tom and the Lakes Area communities are a better place because of his generous nature, and we are honored to have him as the recipient of the 2024 Award in Philanthropy honoree” Foster stated.
Each year, BLACF celebrates the generosity of our community, and shares stories of how kindness can be infectious and spread to those around us. Foster shares, “when a community comes together and focuses on helping one another, it can catalyze an entire community to create lasting positive change.” This year’s Award in Philanthropy celebration will be held July 18, 2024, at Grand View in Nisswa, MN. Also being recognized at this year’s event is the Outreach Programs of Salem Lutheran Church and John Poston who have both demonstrated compassion and helped transform the lives of our friends and neighbors by offering hope with their generous giving.
The Outreach Programs of Salem Lutheran Church of Deerwood, MN, will receive the BLACF 2024 Global Humanitarian honor for their humanitarian work, not only here but also for their global outreach in Honduras. The award recognizes an individual or group who work to improve access to basic needs and enhance the lives of global neighbors who may experience extreme poverty or face adverse situations, through giving of their time, resources, and expertise. The Outreach Programs of Salem Lutheran Church have been doing work in Honduras for over 25 years helping to transform communities through building of infrastructure including homes, churches, schools, and providing education and ministry to support residents and organizations in need – transforming communities around the world.
John Poston will be remembered posthumously with the 2024 BLACF Legacy Memorial honor for leading a life with a purpose that was bigger than himself, leaving a legacy fueled by stewardship and generosity. Poston truly embodied what it meant to be a public servant in all aspects of his life. He was an active leader in the City of Lake Shore, Nisswa and throughout the State of Minnesota. Poston served as Mayor of Lake Shore for four years and was heavily involved in local politics, he also served three terms as District 9A State Representative. Poston founded a humanitarian food-aid organization in 2012, what is now known as, The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes (formally Kids Against Hunger). He was an entrepreneur who vitalized the Lakes Area with his businesses and through providing jobs to residents. Poston epitomizes the essence of legacy, having left a profound and enduring impact that will resonate for generations to come.
