The Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club made $1,000 donations to both the Sleepy Eye Fire Department and Sleepy Eye Ambulance Service. The local emergency departments will use the funds for new equipment. Pictured above: Sportsman’s members Dale Evers (left) and Sam Domeier (right) along with fire chief Ron Zinniel. Below EMT Jackie Confer accepts the check for the Ambulance Service.
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The Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s club made a $10,000 donation to the Sleepy Eye Parks department for the replacement of docks at Sportsmen’s Park. Parks dept. director Matt Schmidt (center) accepts the donation from club representatives Chris Krenz (left) and Sam Domeier.
Volunteers check the lights at St. Mary’s Fieldhouse before rewinding back onto spools in prep for next season’s set up.
Drew Sprenger and Katie Trebesch helped with the take down process.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on many activities this past year but the Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion display was not one of its victims. In fact, the pandemic was the reason the event had a record season and organizers decided to extend the season nine additional nights to January 10.
Over 22,000 vehicles passed through the loop during the 46 days the park was lit. That total nearly doubled last year’s numbers. The busiest night came on December 12 when 1300 vehicles visited.
““It was especially fun to see the kids come through with their heads popped through the car sunroofs. The expressions on their faces were priceless. I wish we could do an actual head count,” said committee member Shari Hittesdorf, “On the busy nights, most vehicles had three or more people inside. And we saw several buses drive through too.”
“We know the event brought customers to our local businesses also,” continued Hittesdorf. “We specifically heard from employees at Casey’s and Dairy Queen, we were told they were crazy busy on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Due to the large number of visitors, traffic control was necessary on a few of the busiest nights. To prevent back up on Highway 4, vehicles were re-routed to the Divine Providence Service.
“This was a challenge, but thanks to some dedicated volunteers, it was very efficient,” said organizers.
Santa’s mailbox was also very popular with 186 letters sent to the North Pole.
The lights came down at the park last weekend and thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, the strings have been been wound back onto spools in preparation for next season’s set up.
“This season was especially gratifying because all the hard work paid off with a safe place for families to visit during the pandemic,” said Hittesdorf. “In a trying time, we feel our event offered some joy to all ages.”
Despite the successful year, the board is hopeful next season returns to normal and they are again able to offer their special event nights including rides and concessions. The Holiday Lights in Motion committee won’t take much time off, planning for the 2021 season will begin at their next board meeting in February.
The Sleepy Eye Wide Awakes 4-H club members are having to make adjustments due to COVID-19 just like everyone else. In December, the club did not have an official meeting but instead gave back to the community with a visit to the SE Food Shelf. The Wide Awakes took with them a donation of $300 worth of food and supplies, as well as a $200 check!
For January, the club again did not have an official meeting but are working hard on a service project from the comfort of their homes. The club is making fleece hats to donate to the MN State 4-H sponsored Heads, Hands, and Toes winter gear drive. Everything collected through this drive will be donated to community partners who serve MN families in need.
The Sleepy Eye Wide Awakes make a donation to the Sleepy Eye Food Shelf.
Chloe Johnson worked hard to finish 36 hats to go towards the Head, Hands, and Toes winter gear drive.
The Braulick, Suess and Martinez family gave residents at Divine Providence a special treat with their caroling of Christmas songs.
More than $12,000 distributed through Operation Round Up
The generosity of Brown County Rural Electrical Association (REA) members has impacted many organizations, families and individuals this past year. Thanks to contributions from members who “round up” their electric bill to the nearest dollar each month, Operation Round Up was able to donate $12,100 to 26 organizations, six scholarships and five families in crisis this past year.
Each month, participating Brown County REA members electric bill payment is rounded up to the nearest dollar. The difference is put into the Round Up Trust account and becomes part of the funds distributed to worthy causes throughout the service area. For less than $12 per year, member contributions have helped provide support to area charitable organizations, individuals and families in crisis and scholarships.
Among the organizations to receive Operation Round Up contributions in 2020 were Bridging Brown County, Junior Achievement, Foundation Farm, Coats for Kids, Winthrop Lions Bandshell Project, Salvation Army Heat Share, Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion, Healthy Community Healthy Youth SPOTS program, Minnesota Brain Injury Force, South Central Minnesota Chapter of the Compassionate Friends and five area food shelves.
Since 1995, when Operation Round Up was started at Brown County REA, $213,875 has been contributed to organizations and individuals in the cooperative’s service area.
If you are part of an organization or project which would like to apply for funding through Operation Round Up, you may use the application found on the Brown County REA website at www.browncountyrea.coop, or contact the office at 794-3331 or 800-658-2368.
Kamakshi Murthy presents Sleepy Eye Area Food Shelf Board Member Josephine Rose a check for $500. Kamakshi is encouraging others to donate to the local organization. Area residents are reminded the Food Shelf is open every Monday from 4-6 p.m. It is located on the east side of the Community Center (115 2nd Ave NE)
The Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club made a $1,000 donation to the Jr. Achievement program. From left: Junior Achievement Board members Chelsea Mason (Area Manager), Mary Ganglehoff, Julie Anderson, Amanda Cook and Charitable Gambling representatives John Schueler, Jerry Bertrand and Ralph Grundmeyer.
Servicemen’s Club Charitable Gambling representatives John Schueler and Ralph Grundmeyer present Holiday Lights in Motion board member Katie Trebesch a check .
The Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club will once again be sponsoring the Freewill Concession Stand during the Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion Special Event nights. Thanks to the $500 donation, hot chocolate, popcorn and s’mores will be offered free to all visitors. A freewill donation box is available at the stand for patrons use, with all proceeds going to the non-profit group working the stand that particular evening. The Servicemen’s Club gambling association has provided this gift to the community for the past several holiday seasons at the local light show.
Visit the What’s Happening Page for dates of this year’s Holiday Lights in Motion Special Event Nights
The Sleepy Eye Wide Awakes 4-H Club met Sunday, October 25th at the Brown County Extension Office to kick off the new 4-H year by electing new officers and planning service projects for the next few months. The 4-Her’s also enjoyed some time decorating pumpkins to take home and display for Halloween.
Pictured left to right is Grace Mages (Vice-president), Sophie Gustafson (President), Winsten Nienhaus (Treasurer), Jack Windschitl (Assistant Treasurer), Chloe Johnson (Reporter), Miah Brown (Assistant Secretary), and Adam Mages (Reporter). Not pictured, Natalie Marti (Secretary).
Pictured is Lilyanna Uys painting her pumpkin.
