We Are Minnesota

Tess is a volunteer with Majestic Hills Ranch and their therapeutic riding program for children and young adults with special needs. She assists with catching the horses, grooming them and tacking in preparation for the riding sessions, in addition to leading horses and riders around the arena.

Mallorie works with the Red Shoe Society – this picture is from the Brew Love fundraising event that raised money for the houses in the Twin Cities.

A shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) was putting the health and safety of essential workers across Minnesota at risk. So Lake Superior Area Realtors® (LSAR) came together and volunteered with the nonprofit charity Ecolibrium 3’s Pay it Forward PPE project to help assemble the much needed PPE face shields for essential workers. Together they cranked out 6,000 units in a single session!

For more than 25 years, LeRoy J. Bendickson has led bike teams to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter. His “Real Estate Riders” team raised $250K in 2019, and since he began, his teams have raised nearly $2.5 million.

When Detroit Lakes was asked what would enhance their community the answer was more art! So the Lakes County Association of Realtors® team got to work raising money and searching for an artist. After 6 months of work, the “Glassinator” was brought to life!

Jason and his furry-costumed friend, Curt the Bear, regularly spreads joy to their Willmar community. The pair enjoys walking, waving, and bringing smiles to the children and elderly residents to offer a fun relief.

Geri and Mike scored some sweat equity for future generations by planting a young maple at Redwood Falls Park. The Scenic City Realty brokers joined other community volunteers during the town’s annual Tree-Planting program.

Emily sews cloth masks for her students and community after seeing the need for protective masks. Emily has made over 200 masks for Duluth area schools, hospitals, recovery centers, friends/co-workers and plans to keep going as long as needed.

Deb helps develop service dogs for Can Do Canines. This organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.

Chuck and his daughter Becca put on the free family friendly weekend of outdoor events called I.C.E. Fest. This event raises money for Flyer Pride Packs, a program that helps support at-risk children in the Little Falls school district by sending them home with a bag of food that is nutritious, nonperishable and easy to prepare. Last year they raised $15,000.

Bill volunteers with Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling (TCAP), which is a community-based cycling program for youth and adults with disabilities that offers low-cost use of adaptive bikes and equipment. Bill greets the participants and helps get their bikes ready before they are ready to bike.

Ann and Jess pitched in to transform a pile of lumber and packing palettes into the Willmar Destination Playground. Constructing the 19,000 square-foot playground was a labor-intensive project that drew hundreds of volunteers.

Realtor® Anita White wanted to help her local coffee shop The Daily Espresso Cafe during COVID-19. She gave them $100 for a “pay it forward” fund to pay coffee forward to the next person. This started 104 straight days of customers continuing the random act of kindness, and led to $10K in donations.

Amy dedicates spare moments to local charity fundraisers; the Lunch Buddy mentoring program for school kids; and helps out at the public library, her church, and maintaining the flower garden at Kiwanis Park.

Each week, Amy shares a meal with unsheltered friends in St. Paul, and brings resources, candles, donations and blessing bags. Amy and her husband pack up 40 bags each month with the help of community partners to give to Walking With a Purpose.

Alissa has volunteered with Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota for the past 10 years and is a media spokesperson. After being featured on a news segment, many of these dogs find new loving homes. Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs 20 pounds and under.

Premier Real Estate representing and raising money for the Salvation Army during Minnesota Realtor® Ring Day!

During the school year, the Gwaltneys are volunteer, live-in resident managers for Rochester Better Chance and surrogate parents to six teenage boys from across the United States.