Celebrating Community
This year’s Party in the Park event on August 12 was our biggest yet – serving nearly 700 community members. It was an honor to host this event bringing people together while providing the opportunity for local organizations to share their work, along with our ability to support partnering non-profits, youth organizations, and civic groups in fundraising. Thank you to sponsors for our ability to make contributions to volunteer groups. Those sponsors included: TC Energy, Essentia Health, Leech Lake Gaming, Itasca Area Community Education, Deer River Area Chamber of Commerce, Deer River Vet’s Club, Deer River Healthcare Volunteers, Northern
Community Tech Hub
The last week of November, 2022 brought the official opening of the Community Tech Hub, located in the Goodall Resource Center in Deer River, MN. Currently, the Tech Hub is open 12:00pm-6:00, Monday through Friday, during the summer, and after-school hours during the school year. While there, youth engage in projects exploring various forms of media including digital art, film and music. They have also been learning and exploring Brand Guide Creation and marketing materials for businesses. Through a collaboration with Community Cafe and ISD #317, the students are provided with healthy meals and snacks while there. Additionally, during the
Keeping the Beat in our Northwoods
What started as a general inquiry from one of our local resort owners turned into a collaborative initiative to get automated external defibrillators (AED’s) into the heart of our beautiful northwoods - some areas of which are very remote, and can be 20-30 minutes from emergency response. Through collaborations with generous partners Essentia Health, the Herreid Fund, and Bigfork Valley Community Foundation, we were able to purchase AED’s in bulk, at a discount, and provide financial support to interested resort owners to aid in the affordability of these life-saving devices. We invited over 60 area resorts located within our giving
Honoring His Example while We Mourn His Loss
Forward Health Foundation and the community of Deer River mourn the loss of another resident whose life was a defining example of philanthropy, dedication to service, passion for community, and strong convictions. When he spoke, we listened. As a founding board member, and instrumental in the development of Forward Health Foundation, Gerry's ability to capture an audience with his wisdom, quick wit, and one-liners, along with his dedication to service on our board and in this community, will be sorely missed. Thank you, Gerry.
Shaping Up the Weight Room
The weight room at the Deer River High School underwent renovations after being in use for several years and in need of repair. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Forward Health Foundation provided support to complete some of the loose ends of the vision of a facility that caters to the needs of students and the community. The weight room now features a range of equipment, including cardio machines, free weights, and universal machines. It is open to the public on in-session school days, Monday - Friday, 6:00-8:00 am and 6:00-8:00 pm.
Make a Gift
Partnering with Forward Health Foundation is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the health and wellness of our communities. Your generosity can help support a wide range of initiatives and projects making a real difference in people’s lives. We offer a variety of giving options to suit your needs, so you can choose the one that’s right for you. With your help, we can continue to work to build a healthy and vibrant community together. Join us in this important mission!