Brainerd, Minn. – The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation’s (BLACF) Award in Philanthropy Annual Dinner was held on July 13, 2023, at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN. Pequot Manufacturing was named as this year’s Award in Philanthropy recipient. Pequot Manufacturing has displayed a passion for helping others and bettering our communities. The have assisted with the growth and development of the Lakes Area through supporting a multitude of nonprofit organizations including Breath of Life Adult Day Service, Bridges of Hope, Kinship Partners, Relationship Safety Alliance, Lakes Area Hero’s, Pequot Lakes Schools and Patriot Foundation, Pine River – Backus Schools, Lakes Area United Way, MN Adult & Teen Challenge, Pine River Food Shelf, Lakes Area Food Shelf, Pequot Lakes and Pine River Chamber of Commerce, Lakes Area Restorative Justice Program, and so many more. Terri Foster, Executive Director of BLACF, said “The Lakes Area is a better place because of the generosity and community mindedness that the Goerges Family and the entire team at Pequot Manufacturing have demonstrated these qualities and are well deserving of receiving the 2023 Award in Philanthropy!”
In addition, one local man was honored with the second annual 2023 Global Humanitarian Award. Jim Kirzeder was recognized for his kindness, generosity, and passion for helping others around the world, especially for his tireless work in Haiti throughout the past 25 years where he made over 75 trips, assisted in building eight schools, over 200 wells and given over 500 loans to better the lives of Haitians. Kirzeder, a general contractor by trade, has been very active in helping others in any way possible, through volunteering of his time, talents, and treasure both locally and globally and we are honored to recognized him for his humanitarian work.
Another local woman was honored posthumously with the Legacy Hero Award. Marilyn Covey has left a legacy through her compassion and generosity during, and even after, her lifetime. Covey not only supported many nonprofit organizations and assisted numerous individuals, but she is also credited in helping to build the Essentia Health, Marilyn Covey Heart & Vascular Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. Because of Covey’s support, nonprofits were able to dream a little bigger and increase their reach, rather than worry about fundraising to meet immediate operating needs. The gifts from all these awardees will continue to support many of our neighbors in need and we are proud to honor such deserving individuals and organizations.
Award in Philanthropy sponsors included: American National Bank, Rob & Jennifer Birkeland, Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation (BLAEDC), Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Breen & Person, LTD, Tim & Ann Bergin, Bridges of Hope, Central Lakes College Foundation, CLA, Kevin & Terri Close, Rod & Avis Converse, Cragun’s Resort, Crow Wing Power Community Trust, CTC, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Easy Street Productions, Essentia Health, Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Foundation, Grand View Lodge, Gull Lake Resort, HUG Hydronics, Joey Halvorson, Johnson Enterprises, Just for Kix, Lakes Area Music Festival, Lakes Printing, Mary & Jim Jetland, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Mills Automotive Group, Moore Consulting, Nor-Son Construction, Nor-Son Custom Builders, Pequot Manufacturing, Relationship Safety Alliance, Riverwood Bank, Knights of Columbus #9657, Dr. Paul Severson, Stifel-DG Wealth Management, Syvantis Technologies, and Winegar Dental.
BLACF attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of supporting your favorite charities and causes. BLACF was founded in 1998 and celebrating their 25th anniversary and is excited for not only the growth in fund assets that the foundation hosts – over $18.5 million, but even more proud of the $8.5 million in grant funding provided to nonprofit organizations from BLACF and in-partnership with its fundholders and donors. Those dollars are truly transforming lives and changing our communities! The BLACF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a collaborative of community foundations creating efficiencies that maximize donor impact. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 1,000 funds, totaling nearly $200 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/blacf.
Attached pictures:
Award in Philanthropy Awardee Pequot Manufacturing – pictured (left to right) – Terri Foster, BLACF Executive Director; Jim Haakonson, Principal with CLA; Chuck Albrecht, BLACF Board Member; Mike Goerges – Sales & Marketing Manager and Board Member/Owner; Karlo Goerges – CEO and Board Member/Owner; Chad Shogren – President and Board Member; Angela Goerges – Board Member/Owner; Jim Goerges – Board Member/Owner; Brian Goerges – Director of Business Development and Board Member/Owner; Joe Goerges – Project Manager and Board Member/Owner; Gary Goerges – Technical Advisor and Board Member/Owner; and Tim Bergin, BLACF Board Member.
Global Humanitarian Awardee Jim Kirzeder – pictured (left to right) Terri Foster, BLACF Executive Director; Jim Kirzeder, Dr. Paul Severson – 2022 BLACF Global Humanitarian; and Tim Bergin, BLACF Board Member.
Legacy Hero Award Awardee Marilyn Covey – pictured (left to right) Terri Foster, BLACF Executive Director; Mike Larson, Sr. Vice President of Operations with Essentia Health; Wendy Topp, Marilyn Covey’s nephew; and Tim Bergin, BLACF Board Member.