Jimmy  Darts

SB Mowing

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Samuel Weidenhofer

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Flavor Flav

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

John Wolfe

Khloe

<div>We are a group of passionate Bemidji residents &amp; dog owners, working in partnership with the City of Bemidji &amp; Visit Bemidji to create a dedicated dog park within North Country Park. 

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<div><strong>Our Fundraising Goal</strong>

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<div>We are currently raising funds to make this vision a reality. Our priority is installing secure fencing to establish the dog park. 

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<div><strong>As fundraising continues, additional improvements will include:</strong>

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<div> Fresh water stations 

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<div> Shade structures and seating 

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<div> Accessible pathways/cement

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<div><strong>Why Your Support Matters</strong>

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<div>Every donation helps move this project forward. Whether you're a dog owner, community member, or local business, your contribution will help create a lasting community asset that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.

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Support Bemidji's New Dog Park!

<div>Hi, my name is Shari, I am Berlyn’s mom and Skylah’s GiGi.
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<div>Many people have been asking what they can do to help Berlyn, Junior and Skylah. By the way, they are overwhelmed by the love and support of friends and family.
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<div>We don’t know exactly what they will need, what we do know is this will be at least a 3 year journey. Skylah will have 3 open-heart surgeries requiring her to stay in the hospital at least 3 to 4 weeks each surgery. Berlyn and Junior will be taking many trips to and from Red Wing/Hastings to Minneapolis, as well as Junior missing work. 
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<div>This fund is to assist Berlyn and Junior with medical expenses, expenses for accommodations, food, fuel and necessities while they are away from home and work during these times. 
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<div>Even if you are not able to donate, please continue to pray for Skylah, Berlyn and Junior. We thank everyone for their support as they go through this long journey!
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Help with medical expenses, fuel, meals & parking

<div>Hello, my name is Bruce. And i would like to tell you a story about when I was 13.
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<div>Many years ago, I was placed in foster care. The first home I went to was a single woman in my home town. She hated me and within a couple months she accused me of doing things I didn't do and kicked me out then called the police on me.
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<div>Then I had to move to bemidji, mn. I don't think id ever even been there before. Darwin and Bonnie Keywitsch didn't have extra. They didn't have an overabundance of money to share around. They had one other room in their house for a young man that nobody wanted. They welcomed me in and for the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged in the house I lived in.
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<div>They showed me what it was like to be loved and cared for. I never experienced that again.
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<div>These people did foster care for many years. All while both holding down jobs, they raised kids that were not their own and changed the lives of many. When they got older and had to retire, the government started taking everything from them. They spent years helping children, and now cannot afford to feed themselves or pay their bills.
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<div>I understand that with the economy the way it is, that not alot of us have extra. These people don't have the minimum. Please help them. 
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<div>I would like to say as well that I am now over 30 years old and haven't lived with them for almost 20 years. I, or anyone else, in no way benefit from this. It is solely for Bonnie and Darwin! 
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The kindest foster parents I ever had!

<div>First, a bit of background about the Saari Family-
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<div>James and Julie Saari are tireless, hard working parents of 4 kids, two of which are in college. James works as a full-time math teacher at Bemidji High School, and Julie works hard at keeping up with the home (inside and out of the house), family schedules, and their dock and lift business, which keeps both of them extremely busy during spring, summer, and early fall months.
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<div>Here is their most recent story - a story and reality that will take a tremendous toll on their spirits and their finances:
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<div>Recently, Julie Saari was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a rare form of cancer. Julie contracted COVID-19 in mid-January, and experienced severe back pain following contracting C-19. She went in to the ER and doctor multiple times, and it was thought that her back pain was a lingering side effect of C-19, but should subside eventually. Julie thought it was something more, and asked for blood tests. On February 18, 2022, she received news from her doctor that she has B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
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<div>Due to the nature of the cancer, she immediately had to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to begin treatment. Julie will be undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments in cycles of 4 weeks on and 1 week off. She will be hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic during the 4-week treatment cycle, and should be able to go home during her week off. There will be many cycles to this treatment plan over the course of the next 1-2 years, but this will ultimately be determined based upon her progress during the course of her treatment.
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<div>James is traveling down weekly to spend time with his wife, which of course, from Bemidji to Rochester is a haul. Addie (their daughter) is traveling down from Duluth.
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<div>Unfortunately, due to hospital protocols, no overnight visitors are allowed. Currently, Julie is allowed 2 daytime visitors. The expenses for gas, food, and hotel stays are the most immediate need.
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<div>They are estimating that the treatment plan will take 1-2 years - of course, there will be weekly expenses, and medical bills will start piling up (after insurance is paid). In fact, they have already met their $5,000 out-of-pocket deductible for Julie's tests and treatment. There will be significant expenses for travel, lodging, food, and impending medical expenses as she fights this cancer.
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<div>All funds raised will help defray these unavoidable travel expenses, and as medical bills start rolling in, to help with these as well. Any donation amount is very much appreciated.
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<div>The Saaris are an extremely hard-working, proud, and honest family - they are not directly asking for help. I encourage all family and friends to pray for this family, and consider donating to help ease the stress of their newly embarked upon journey.
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<div>Regular updates to Julie's progress will be posted to this page.
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<div>If you want to drop Julie a note, her NEW address (as of April 12, 2022) is:
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<div>Julie Saari
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<div>Eisenberg 7-209
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<div>291 West Center Street
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<div>Rochester, MN 55995
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<div>You can also follow Julie's treatment blog posts on Facebook, entitled '<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%2525252525252525253A%2525252525252525252F%2525252525252525252Fwww.facebook.com%2525252525252525252FA-Day-at-the-Spa-111793528104476%2525252525252525252F&amp;data=04%2525252525252525257C01%2525252525252525257Cjeremy.leffelman%25252525252525252540minnstate.edu%2525252525252525257Cbaafd7d0c8dd4fba9aa108d9fb08377a%2525252525252525257C5011c7c60ab446ab9ef4fae74a921a7f%2525252525252525257C0%2525252525252525257C0%2525252525252525257C637816834971069354%2525252525252525257CUnknown%2525252525252525257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%2525252525252525253D%2525252525252525257C3000&amp;sdata=hFpGggHdk%2525252525252525252FEYKlC%2525252525252525252FGQ1uvlIVqBkIPQYmdvy4lbX2oo8%2525252525252525253D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Day at the Spa</a>.'
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<div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/A-Day-at-the-Spa-111793528104476" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/A-Day-at-the-Spa-111793528104476/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/A-Day-at-the-Spa-111793528104476/</a></a>
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<div>Thank you-
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<div>Jeremy Leffelman
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Support Julie Saari's fight vs. Leukemia

<div>Mark Fodness was a loving and dedicated father and husband, an inspirational teacher and coach, and a true friend to many. He was an outspoken champion and practitioner of education, sportsmanship, inclusion, resilience, kindness, community building, and a passionate outdoorsman. Donations will be used to memorialize Mark’s life and legacy.
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<div>Priorities will include:
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<div>-Funding scholarships for students from Bemidji Area Schools who are pursuing post-secondary education. Preference will be given to students who are majoring in education, exemplify leadership skills, or have participated in Upward Bound.
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<div>-Continuing to support efforts that are beneficial to students and the community. Current examples are listed below, and we plan to expand similar efforts in the future.
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<li>The purchase of a "Mark Fodness Foundation" hole sponsorship at the 2021 Howe-Welle Fundraising Tournament for Bemidji State Women's Athletics.
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<li>Support for the "Jacks for Gianna" fundraiser by buying fundraising wristbands worn by the BHS Boys Tennis program during their 2021 season.
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<div>An account has been set up through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation to provide those opportunities in Mark's name, and any donations would be much appreciated in supporting those efforts.
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<div>Suggestions and ideas for any future scholarship opportunities, charitable efforts, or memorials are also welcomed, and we would be happy to discuss any of those with you. 
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<div>Thank you,
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<div>Fodness Family &amp; Friends
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<img class="m-text-editor-image" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/63096637_1644029017382167_r." alt="" width="100%" media_type="3" />
<div><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/63096637_1644082336839433_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="63096637_1644082336839433_r.jpeg" />
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Mark Fodness - Memorial and Scholarship Fund

<img class="not-resizable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/16743764_1481683143.1575_funddescription.png" alt="" width="100%" /><strong>WARRIOR?</strong><br />Buffie the warrior?  Buffie the warrior!   Hmmmm- hearing that name go with warrior doesn't seem to fit with that sentence....  BUT if you know OUR Buffie- it fits perfectly!  The last couple of years Buffie has been fighting like the ultimate warrior that we know she is!  <br /><strong>Cancer... you got this!  Aplastic Anemia ?</strong><br />*Buffie has battled &amp; beat breast cancer only to "win the lottery"  (1 in 2 million) to get Aplastic Anemia!  This is in laymans terms... bone marrow failure disease. (only 600-900 people are diagnosed with this in the entire WORLD)<br /><strong>What is it?</strong><br />*Her body doesn't produce red blood cells, platlets for clotting or white blood cells to fight off illness.  For the last year Buffie has not been able to work, go out in public normally w/o taking extra precautions against germs, have people over to visit or just be around people w/o having to really be aware of germs or illnesses that people might have.  <br /><strong>Family &amp; support!</strong><br />*Brett, her husband, has been her rock (as she calls him).  I say that he is really her soul mate. He gives her the strength she needs to keep fighting. Brett has had lots of patience when she has reached her breaking point at times and has been there for her as a great husband &amp; provider.  But he has had to take off of work to be with her in the hospital, go to dr. appts. &amp; to drive her to several of her 3 times a week blood &amp; platelet replacement appts.  *Alex (18 yr. old son) has been there for Buffie too.  He is a strong quiet type that has been willing to do anything for his mom.  He has had to watch his mom suffer and get weaker as this last year has progressed.   *Mom (Paulette),  Rene, &amp;  me (Valerie) along with my family , other family members have been there for support along with many great friends, neighbors &amp; co-workers! <br /><strong>Treatment-</strong><br />* Buff has gone through a treatment called AGT (Immunosuppressive Therapy) where she stays in a hospital for several days so the Dr's can basically wipe out her immune system (what she has) so they can try to "restart" it.   She then has to live like the life style described above for several months.  This last treatment didn't work so she just had the treatment again this last week.  Buffie had some complications that caused her a great deal of joint pain and weakness.  Brett ended up taking her to the ER where she was then admitted to the hospital.  <br />*Future treatment- If this last AGT treatment doesn't work (we'll know in 6 mths) then Buff will have to have a bone marrow transplant!  If she has the bone marrow transplant- then she can't work and has to recover for a year.  <br />*Buffie and Brett have done well trying to stay ahead of daily expenses but it is extremely difficult.  I can't imagine trying to live on 1 salary- can you?  <br /><br />*GIVE~ PLEASE*<br />**PLEASE consider helping me raise funds to help the Eha's.   They are an amazing family that has been through some very rough times lately.  <br />~Valerie (Banaszewski) Olson (AKA- Sista)

You got this Buffie! 

<img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/12581555_1467253972.2332_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /><br />Our dear Gabe is in need of many prayers and healing thoughts. He was severely burned in an accident with friends. He was airlifted to Fargo out of Bagley near the accident he and his four friends were involved in. The ER doctor determined the severity of his burns were too great and immediately arranged to fly him to Hennepin County Burn Unit where he remains. He will be in the Burn Unit for at least one month. His recovery will be long and involved. Both his mom and dad will be steadfast and loving in their care for him which will also require they miss alot of paid work. To help reduce the stress of such a tragedy, we are hoping to raise funds to alleviate at the financial worry during this very difficult time. He is the sweetest boy and has the biggest heart.

Gabe's Medical Care Fund

Valerie Olson

Valerie Olson

Valerie Olson

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