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Celebrating Community Forward Health Foundation Party in the Park Save the date for Saturday, August 14th for the Foundation's Party in the Park at Bob Lundeen Softball Fields in Deer River. The day's events will begin at 9:00 a.m. with and adult softball tournament, followed by food vendors, free games for kids, cornhole tournament, beer garden, train rides, giveaways, and a live band from 4-8. After more than a year of separation, the Party in the Park will provide an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate our community and each other. All proceeds from the event will benefit

Foundation Grant Supports Substance Use Prevention at DRHS The Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to support the work of the Movement/STEP Coalition at DRHS. The Movement/STEP Coalition's mission is "to foster a community within District 317 that supports youth by preventing underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug use." Since it's inception nearly a decade ago, the Coalition has worked to reduce underage substance use through Positive Community Norms (PCN). The PCN method uses positive messaging  to correct perception and encourage youth to make good choices. the grant from the Foundation will support continued prevention work with students at DRHS.

Deer River Area Health Care Foundation is now Forward Health Foundation.   The Foundation’s new name, branding and website officially launched in November 2020. As an independent, community-focused non-profit organization, we have been committed to making an impact on the community’s health since 2012.  Forward Health Foundation is proud to serve the communities of Deer River, Ball Club, Inger, Bowstring & S. Lake.  In addition, through support of Essentia Health in Deer River, Grand Rapids, and Remer, the Foundation serves patients across Northern Minnesota and beyond. The Foundation’s primary focus areas will continue to be twofold: support of Essentia Health and

Jim Tarbell had a passion for the community.  As a long-standing community member, Jim could be often found serving with his trademark smile and positivity at Bethany Lutheran Church or one of the many boards and organizations he served on throughout the years. At the Foundation, we were honored to benefit from Jim’s expertise and passion for the community. Jim served as a Foundation Board member from 2012-2015, becoming Board Chair in 2015.  Around the same time, he became Board Chair, Jim was diagnosed with what would become terminal bladder cancer.  His family writes of his cancer diagnosis: “…he had

Imagine going to school in pain with a toothache or not being able to see your schoolwork because of poor vision.  Unfortunately, this is a reality that some local students face.  Thankfully, these are challenges the Full-Service Community Schools team at ISD 317 are seeking to meet and overcome.  Through their work and a $5,000 grant from the Foundation, uninsured and underinsured students have access to medical, vision and dental care regardless of their ability to pay.  Deanna Hron, Full-Service Community Schools Director shares “Thanks to the generosity of the Forward Health Foundation, uninsured students in Deer River schools can access