Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge looking to open site in Alexandria
A purchase agreement has been signed and Douglas County commissioners approved a letter of support for the project. 4:50 pm, Apr. 20, 2021 × Andrew, a participant of the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, spoke at an open house Friday in Alexandria. Sam Anderson (right), the director of the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge center in Brainerd, listens with others as Andrew shared his story. (Per program policy, only first names of participants are shared.) (Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press)
There’s hope in the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge program.
At least that is the message from one of its participants, Andrew, who spoke at an event last week in Alexandria. (Per program policy, only first names of participants are shared.)
Carrie Jo Kalsbeck
Carrie Jo Kalsbeck, age 57, of Miltona, left this world to live eternally with our Heavenly Father on Monday, January 18, 2021, at her home.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria with Pastor Jeff Ferguson officiating. The family welcomes all who knew and loved her to celebrate her life. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
A visitation will take place from 10:30–12 p.m., prior to the service at the church. Please honor all COVID-19 health mandates, including social distancing and wearing of facial coverings.
Carrie Kalsbeck (Schueler) was born on June 7, 1963 in Fergus Falls, MN. She worked as a paraprofessional on the school bus through District 206. She took deep joy in building relationships with the staff and students on the bus. Carrie often rode on the special needs bus and made the children feel seen and loved. From engaging in meaningful conversation to cuddling
Donations exceed $80,000, which is $20,000 over the goal. 3:36 pm, Dec. 14, 2020 ×
Lydia Mason, 8, of Osakis, was a first-time performer at the Jingle Bells Telethon Saturday, Dec. 12. Mason, the daughter of Kevin and JoAnna Mason, sang O Holy Night. (Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press)
The results are in and this year’s annual Jingle Bells Telethon was a success. Although donations are still coming in after Saturday’s live telethon, the donations exceeded the goal by more than $20,000. This year’s goal was $60,000 and at the end of the telethon Dec. 12, the total raised was $80,308.42.
“We exceeded our goal by over $20,000, which is just amazing,” said Chelsey Koopman, president of the Jingles Bells Foundation, the organization in charge of the event. “This really shows how much the community continues to support one another, regardless of the pandemic.”