Kinship kids are engaged in wholesome activities that help them develop

assets for a better future. This Annual Report celebrates all of the people,

organizations and businesses that make it possible. Thank You!

2013

Annual Report

Whether they are

practicing reading,

playing with friends at

a group activity,

thrilling to a new

experience,

volunteering in service to

others,

being treated to events

in the community, or

quiet time with

their mentor,

Reading Buddies offer each child friendship, undivided attention and encouragement to find the joy in reading.

Beth Baker-Knuttila,

Century Coordinator

Mary Bakken

Brian Behrens

Larry Bexell

Pat Cadreau

Talaine Collins

Patty Falk

Mary Frahm

Betty Fuller

Nikki Gack

Barbara Gauldin

Duane Grage

Debbie Haas

Carter & Florence Hedeen

Sharline Hess

Tina Hilden

Janet Jensen

Jo Judson

John & Joyce LaFrance

David & Barb LaMaster

Judy Lenz

Sarah Lester

Edie Lymburner

Gail Manlove

Jeff & Olga Mosner

Donna Nestos

Arlene Novak

Larry & Zelda Novak

Betty Norlin

Roger Olson

Pam Parisian

Patricia Pederson

Kathy Peterson

Tony & Dorothy Platz

Maria Pretzer

Cathy Reich

Eunice Rothermel

Bob & Linda Schissel

Diane (Dee) Slowen

Joan Smith

Wayne Swanson

Carolyn & Maurice Spangler

Jolly & Phil Stuemke

TJ Tjaden

Carol Wall

Linda Warmbold

Janine Weideman

Linda Williams

Barb Zahlen This list includes substitutes

Peg Odegaard, Coordinator

Brittany Boe

Renee Buggert

Phil & Sharon Busch

Dawn Canada

Mike & Diane Childs

Jeanne Ciffra

Becky Conyers

Jeannette Dudley

Jeannine Frank

Phyllis Friday

Jennifer Geraedts

Boo Groth

Mike & Jacci Hadfield

Alexia Isaacson

Linda Johnson

Marilyn Kaping

Halvard Korsberg

Wayne Luksik

Dick Miller

Keith Minkel

Mary Moe

Jeff & Olga Mosner

Judy Novak

Del Odegaard

Carol Rice

Lyn Rittgers

Jean Ruzicka

Darlene Severtson

Judy Thompson This list includes substitutes

Thank You 2013 Volunteer Mentors Volunteers matched with children

ages 6-18 share an hour or more weekly in activities they enjoy. Through these genuine

friendships, Kinship youth grow their self-confidence and social skills while mentors claim

to gain far more than they give.

Paul Albright

Beth Baker-Knuttila

Terese Bervig

Kevin Brauer

Renee Brauer

Rebecca Buhr

Angela Carlson

Josh Carpenter

Doug Cheney

Lori Cheney

Mike Cohrs

Frank & Sara Forsberg

Rich & Mary Frahm

Boo Groth

Sheila Hastings

Pam & Jim Heeren

Brittany Johnson

Deane & Jill Johnson

Greg Johnson

Marilyn Kaping

Bob Kaumans

Kathie Kavolak

Dick & Karen Kok

Dawn & Paige Leeseberg

Mia & Steve Long

Fred & Karen Lundstrom

Roberta Lutz

Dennis Mackedanz

Joel & Mary Maxwell

Tom & Bonnie Miller

Terry Morris

Jeff & Olga Mosner

David Niemela

Del & Peg Odegaard

Trudy Overmyer

Phil Sailer

Carol Schellack

Bob & Linda Schissel

Sandy Stinar-Nimlos

Phil & Jolly Stuemke

Curt & Sue Sumner

Barb & Mark Thomason

Ken Thompson

Jo Tuomisto

Cliff & Joan Tweedale

Candy Weinzierl

Bonnie Welch

Jerry & Michele Werder

Steve & Barb Zahlen

Dan Zimmerman

Lezli Zimmerman

Century 2013 Reading Buddies Nevis 2013 Reading Buddies

We gratefully acknowledge those who made financial gifts to support the mission of Kinship of the Park

Rapids Area in 2013. Donors are recognized for accumulative gifts made throughout each calendar year.

* Gift to Kinship Endowment Fund ** Sustaining Donor

2013 Donors

Advocate ($2,500—$4,999)

Child Abuse Prevention Council

Hugo’s Family Marketplace

Mentor ($1,000—$2,499)

Calvary Lutheran Church

Dorset House Restaurant

Evergreen Gifts & Fun Park

Mini-Golf Tournament

Denny & Linda Hunt

Itasca Mantrap Operation

RoundUp

Mah Jongg Benefit Tournament

St Joseph’s Area Health Services

Carol & Carl Wall

Walmart

Guide ($500—$999)

Ameriprise Financial

Anonymous

Avengers Amazing Chase Team

Balsam Boutique

Kevin & Renee Brauer

Citizens National Bank

Tim & Susan Fisher

Bob & Ruth Foster**

Northwoods Bank

Northwoods Dental**

Park Rapids Lions Club

Peace Lutheran Church

Pine Manors, Inc.**

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Trinity Episcopal/Presbyterian

Church

Wolf Lake Wolf Pack Baseball

Role Model ($250—$499)

Arvig

Brian & Jodi Behrens

Brookside Resort

Cane Enterprise Vending

Citizens Bank Employees

Community Thank Meal

Charles & Joan Diessner

Greg & Mary Jo Downs

Scott Eastman

Forest & Floral Garden Center

Hafner’s Greenhouse

Don & Georgia Hendricks

Arlys & Jeff Hess

Elizabeth & Bryan Hirt

Hubbard United Methodist

Church Missions

Hubbard United Methodist

Women

Dave & Mary Jane Keller

Mary E Larsen

Jay & Judy Mondry

Nancy Novak & Peter Nyhus

Roger Olson

Our Lady of the Pines Catholic

Church

Park Rapids Ford

Park Rapids Rotary Club

Kathy & Royce Peterson

Riverside United Methodist

Women

Bill & Nora Simpson

State Bank of Park Rapids

Pat Stulich

Jennifer Therkilsen &

Duane Gebhard

Thielen Motors

Trading Post

Mike & Janine Weideman

Dennis & Karen Zaun

Dan & Lezli Zimmerman

Supporter ($100—$249)

Dennis & Rachel Aanenson

Norman & Jean Ahrendt

American Legion Auxiliary

Ark Animal Hospital, Inc.

Jo Ashmore

Ralph & JoAnn Badger

Larry & Bonnie Benham

David & Mary Bergman

Brittany Boe *

Deborah & Brian Brattlof

Doug & Lori Cheney

Coborn’s

Mike & Coco Cohrs

David & Talaine Collins

Stephen & Joan Dahl

Dennis Dodge

Dorset Corner Liquors

Henry & Ellen Dubinsky

Kay Dyre & Dan Dyre

Essentia Health

Frank & Sara Forsberg

Paul Fredrick & Ruth Strathman

William & Shirley Fritze

Gary & Barb Gauldin *

Roger Geddes

Larry & Kathy Grell

Shel & Helen Griess

Dr Paul Grimes

Stan & Julie Grossman

Karl & Boo Groth

Gail Haas

Bettye & Bob Harmel

Carter & Florence Hedeen

Mark & Peggy Hewitt

Norris & Terry Hokeness

Neal & Carol Holter

Del & Alice Holz

Roman & Joy Horejsi

Marshall Howe &

Janet McMillen

Lanny & Sandy Jones

Becky & Earl Juskowiak**

Larry & Kathie Kavolak *

Cal & Jan Kehr

Gene & Luraine Kinkel

Ben & Lisa Koppelman

Halvard & Jane Korsberg

Scott & Sheryl Kosel

Lamb Weston/RDO Frozen

Francine & Lyle Laske

Charles Lavine

Lavonne Lindow

Dave & Jan Long

Lois & Fred Madsen

Candy Malm

John & Brenda Mason

Bill & Kathy Medellin

Curt & Betty McCabe *

Judy & Dick Miller

Cal & Sheila Moe

Karla & Thomas Mueller

Nevis Lions Club

Ed & Judy Novak

Dick & Jane Nunn

The Oppitz family *

Trudy Overmyer

Ray & Mary Palis

Carolyn Pasnau

Mary & Clay Peterson

Tanya Peterson

Erika & Nicholas Randall

Christie & John Rasmussen

Robert Lindow Company, Inc.

Craig & Missy Rossman

Bob & Linda Schissel

Ken & Iris Shepard

David & Barbara Southward**

Dale & Ginger Steevens

Helen & Lloyd Stigman

Larry & Ruthie Swenson

Tony & Carol Szymczak

Barb & Mark Thomason

Thomason, Swanson & Zahn

June Thompson

Trinity Church Women’s Guild

Vision Source PR Eye Clinic

Ray & Lynette Vlasak

Whatnot

Ruth Wibe

Steve & Betty Wignes

Bill & Bobbi Zigmant

We try hard to include all of our contributors accurately and apologize for any errors. Please call 732-0058 to let Jennifer know if your name was misspelled,

listed differently than you would like, or accidentally omitted. Thank you!

Thank You, 2013 Donors continued

Friend (up to $99)

Mary Adams

Akeley Garden Club

Alpha Delta Kappa

Gary & Carol Anderson

Anonymous

Francis Austin

Elizabeth Baker-Knuttila

Joann Bakken

Margo Bartness

Judith Bauerly

Jim & Linda Becker

Jane Beland

Bob & Mary Berdahl

Joanne Biggin

Birch Retreat Resort

Herman & Patricia Block

Joe & Pam Bragg

Calvin & Alice Broughton

Philip & Sharon Busch

Karen Carlson

Toni Carlstrom

Cat Creek Auto, LLC

Jeanne & Norman Ciffra

Helen Comnick

Cecil & Shirley Cordahl

Richard Cox

Judy Dawson

Donald & Virginia Day

Don & Marie Dearstyne

John & Joy Derr

Pat & Paul Dove

Linda Eickman

Betty Lou Eischens

Bobbi Erickson

Lyle & Darleen Evans

Michael & Susan Fannon

Dave & Marion Feil

Larry & Barbara Fick

Michelle Fischer

Carol & Bob Ford

Katherine Foss

Thomas Frank

Andy & Eileen Froelich

Tom & Jen Wills-Geraedts

Cindy Greene

Lois Grover

Viola Grover

David & Gail Gruis

Nick & Debbie Haas

Kurt & Linda Hansen

Bob & Sharon Hanson

Joan Hard

Judy Harsha

Sheila Hastings

Chris & Arne Haugen

Heartland Trailside

Rod & Vickie Helm

Roger & Jan Henderson

Larry & Miriam Hiscock

Jeraine & O’Dean Hokanson

Julie Hopkins

Ronald & Vida Hume

Itasca Park Ministry

Susan Janz

Erik & Sara Jensen

Tina Johanning

Jan Johnson

Jeff & Stacy Johnson

Judy Kay Johnson

Marge Johnson

Phyllis Johnson

Al & Jo Judson

Bob Kaumans

Bob & Helen Keezer

Jennifer Keranen

Dorothy Kimble

Audrey Kindwall

Richard & Karen Kok

Richard & Beverly Kvamme

Dave & Barb LaMaster

Ruth Larsen

Betty Larson

Dawn, Scott & Paige

Leeseberg

Norm & Marty Leistikow

Mike & Sandra Lichter

Lindow Rentals

Emmett and Shirley Lingle

Nancy Ludwig

Nicole Lueth

Arnold & Janice Lundberg

Janet Madson

Dick & Wanda Magaard

Bill & Karen Maki

Helen Marsh

Joel & Mary Maxwell

Raeann Mayer

Andrew & Karen McCarty

Carol McCullough

Nancy McDowell

Dale Miller

Jayne Mills

Nancy Mitchell

Melodee Monicken

Monika’s

Terry Morris

Sharon Mortrud

Jeff & Olga Mosner

Faye Naugle

Lewis & Betty Neiman

Harriet Nerad

Jerome & Cory Noel

Edith Noeske*

Arlene & Jerry Novak

Bev Novak

Ron Oberstar

Diana Olson

Harold C. & Eleanor Olson

Shirley E Olson

Caryl Openshaw

Arvin & Mary Packer

Scott Packs

Park Rapids Building Supply

Ron & Kay Paulbicke

Todd & Sandi Paulouski

Sandy Perez

Mary Peters

Helen B Peterson

Robert & Kareen Pfeifer

Sharon Phelps

Judy Phillips

Jeff & Kris Pickett

Dorothy Platz

Tom & Gina Porozinski

Sharon Powers

William Proudfoot

Sandra Randall

Ed Ransom

Christine Rausch

Nancy Raymond

Cathy Reich

Linda Remiger

Carol & Charles Rice

RiverBend Home Expressions

Riverside United Methodist

Men

Sharon Robinson

Sheila Rognstad

St John’s Evening Guild

Don & Gail Sells

Mary Shadrick

Donna Simpson

Diane Smith

Joan Smith

Ray & Darla Smith

Vicki Smith

Vicki Soltis

Cheryl Sorenson

Megan Splichal

Roderick & Joyce Stave

Melissy Stearns

Beverly Steenson

Dorothy Swanson

Greg & Sue Swanstrom

Dean Swart

Jan Swedberg

Sonja Tangen

The Good Life Café

Sherry Thelen

Jill Thompson

Deb Thompson

Marilyn Titus

Richard & Kathleen Toomey

Joy Torvinen

Randi Vaydich

Arnie & Arlene Valentin

Marylen Veden

Dr Thomas & Linda VanBruggen

Arlette VanWyhe

Jan Vold

Beth Vredenburg

Tom & Bobbie Wagner

Earl & Elaine Wagner

Teresa Walsh

John & Beverly Watson

Sharon Weaver

Arnie & Nikki Wenger

Char & Rod Westrum

Carl & Helen Wettlaufer

Williams Construction

Linda & Lowell Williams

Millie Wilson

John & Jody Wizik

Linda Wurm

Elmer & Madeline Yliniemi

Hazel Yliniemi

Melvin & Mary Ann Yliniemi

Roxann Yliniemi

In Memory Of:

Bill Ashmore

Jo Ashmore

Clarence Awaya

Karl & Boo Groth

Bill & Lynn Bair

Earl & Becky Juskowiak**

Jean Ballard

Lewis & Betty Neiman

Ralph J Beland

Jean Beland

Terry Bartness

Margo Bartness

David Cass

Royce & Kathy Peterson*

Barb & Mark Thomason

Jeannine Frank

Thomas Frank

Rodney Garden

Ron Oberstar

Donna Hagen

Greg & Sue Swanstrom

John Holtey

Karl & Boo Groth

Jack Kelly

Karl & Boo Groth

Beatrice Miller

Dale Miller

Darrel Naugle

Faye Naugle

Marilyn Olson

Roger Olson

Jennifer Therkilsen*

Harold Olson

Shirley E Olson

Adam Poole

John & Jody Wizik

Bev Romer

LaVonne Lindow

Austin Stibbe

Duane & Jennifer Gebhard

Dennis Simpson

Raeann Mayer

Royce & Kathy Peterson*

Bill & Nora Simpson

Donna Simpson

Jennifer Therkilsen*

Mark & Barb Thomason

Kyle Vredenberg

Brittany Boe*

Roger Wells

Jay & Judy Mondry

Mamie Weffler

Dave & Marion Feil

Gregg Zaun

Dennis & Karen Zaun

In Honor Of:

Our Ten Grandchildren

Larry & Ruthie Swenson

Our Grandchildren

Linda & Lowell Williams

Our Grandkids

Arlene & Jerry Novak

Our Parents

Ed & Judy Novak

Kevin & Renee Brauer

Ruth Wibe

Kylie

Scott, Dawn, & Paige

Leeseberg

Karen Maki

Brittany Boe*

Del & Peg Odegaard's

50th Anniversary

Carol & Charles Rice

Jennifer Therkilsen

Ken & Judy Thompson

Brittany Boe*

With Thanks & Gratitude:

Kevin Brauer & Mike Cohrs

Brittany Boe, Eddie & Ethan

2013 Tributes & Memorials Thank you to those who chose to honor a loved one or their memory with a gift that is helping Kinship

connect adults with kids and put hope in their hearts. We are pleased to honor these special individu-

als and to recognize the donors. *Gifts given to the Kinship Endowment Fund ** Sustaining Donors

Abby with Sheila Hastings: Doing the zip line at the

Character Challenge Course. I just really loved that one.

Sky with Carol Schellack: I like the group things we

do, like the swimming ones and when we serve dinner

to the adults. And I like that we go out to eat some-

times with Carol, and to quite a few plays.

Nicholas with Josh Carpenter: Going to Evergreen

Gifts & Fun Park with Josh to do go-carts and laser tag.

Zoey with Carol Schellack: Evergreen Fun Park. We

could do fun stuff with our friends.

Jade with Mia & Steve Long: Cross country skiing

and canoeing with Steve and Mia.

Marcus with Bob & Linda Schissel: Bob taught me to

golf. I liked to golf with him and Linda whenever we can

Viviana with Beth Baker-Knutilla: Evergreen!

It was fun doing a whole bunch of different stuff.

Sam with Angela Carlson: Playing games with Angela.

And it was awesome when we made nachos. They were

really good, too.

Damion with Rich & Mary Frahm: The activity I

enjoyed most with my mentors is ice fishing and play-

ing cards.

Kinship Kids: What activity did you

most enjoy with your mentor in 2013?

Financial Summary Fiscal Year 2013

Revenue & Support:

Donations

$37,136

Special Events

$16,047

Contracts

$11,071

Grants

$5,568

Total: $69,920

Expenses

Program

$39,623

Fundraising

$15,190

Administration

$11,225

Total:

$66,038

Donors of Gifts In Kind & Kinship Friends Whether donating products or volunteering with fundraisers or group activities, gifts of items and services go a long way in helping Kinship meet its mission. Sincere thanks to the following friends and donors for their generosity!

Donors of Gifts Inkind Business & Organiza-tions 3M Wonewok chefs 3rd Street Market Al's Paint & Glass Arvig Beagle Books Bella Caffe' Ben Franklin Beyond Juice Blueberry Pines Golf Club Brookside Resort Burger King Carter’s Red Wagon Farm Cattail Creek Framing Character Challenge Course Citizens National Bank Coborn’s Country Coiffeur DeLaHunt Broadcasting Delany’s Sports Detail Shop Dorset Antique Stop Dorset Corner Liquors Ecowater Systems Evergreen Gifts & Fun Park Family Hair Affair Flying W Gardens Forest & Floral Garden Center Fresh Catch Hafner's Greenhouse Headwaters Golf Club Headwaters Science Center Heartland Massage Holiday Station Store Hugos L&M Fleet Supply Lakeside Carpet Lemongrass Salon Loose Moose Photography Lori Lea Lanes Max Bailey Photography McDonalds Microtech Computer Moose Creek Necce’s Italian Ristorante Nick’s Service North Star Pest Control Northern Convenience Northern Cycle Northwoods Bank

Overmyer Electric Park Ace Hardware Park Avenue Salon Park Avenue School of Cosmetology Park Rapids Area Schools Park Rapids Auto Centre Park Rapids BP Park Rapids Enterprise Park Rapids Plumbing & Heating Park Theater Pederson, Smith, Roehl & Co PA Pizza Hut Wingstreet RiverBend Home Expressions Smoky Hills Art Style Zone Salon Super 8 Motel T & M Express Nevis T & M Express Park Rapids The Good Life The Music Shop Trading Post Warnick's Janitorial Service Warren's Tire & Auto Whatnot Wild Loon Outfitters Wildwood Enchantment Woodtick Theater Individuals: Joan Aeling David & Amy Andersen Kevin & Renee Brauer Irene Connelly Kathy Henry Byron Knapp David Niemela Tonja Petersen Kathy Peterson Cathy Reich Bob & Linda Schissel

Paul Albright David & Amy Andersen Gregg & Terese Bervig Eric, Leah and Nathaniel Bervig Bethany Lutheran Church Kevin & Renee Brauer Alice Broughton Pat Cadreau Angela Carlson & Sam Terry Carlson Doug Cheney & Takoda Lori Cheney & Kiley Citizens Bank Employees Coborn’s Mike Cohrs & Ethan Irene Connelly Delany’s Sports Duane Dudley Jeannette Dudley Nicole Edwards Evergreen Gifts and Fun Park

Family Hair Affair Carol Ford Rich & Mary Frahm & Damion Barbara & Gary Gauldin Duane Gebhard Helen Griess Heiki Gross Linda Hansen John & Sheila Hastings & Abby Heartland Homes Carter & Florence Hedeen Kathy Henry Bonnie Hensel Del Holz Hubbard Co Law Enforcement Hugo’s Incredibly Real Erik Jensen Brittany Johnson & Kiana Greg Johnson

Sherry Johnson Al & Jo Judson Marilyn Kaping & Dee Dave Keller Karen Kok & Kyron Beverly Kvamme Dawn and Paige Leesberg & Kylie Loose Moose Photography Lori Lea Lanes Sara Lowry Fred & Karen Lundstrom Dennis Mackendanz & Caiden Dick Magaard Max Bailey Photography Joel &Mary Maxwell & Micheal Jason & Kim McCollum & Jayden Jeff & Olga Mosner & Haley Jon & Donna Nestoss Northern Pines Camp Zelda Novak Del & Peg Odegaard Park Ace Hardware Park Rapids Fire Department Park Rapids Tae Kwon Do Pat Pederson Royce & Kathy Peterson Niomi Phillips Erika Randall Donna Rehkamp Riverside United Methodist Church Eunice Rothermell St John’s Lutheran Church Carol Schellack, Zoey & Sky Bob & Linda Schissel & Marcus Bill Simpson Sons of Norway Spruce Hill Campground Sandy Stinar-Nimlos & Treana Phil & Jolly Stuemke and Caiden Wayne Swanson Carol Szymczak Barb & Mark Thomason Jo Tuomisto & Kayley Cliff & Joan Tweedale & Cole ElLoise Underwood Unpolished Tom Wagner Janine Weideman Bonnie Welch & Alycia Steve & Bette Wignes Dan & Lezli Zimmerman & Noah

Kinship Friends & Donors of Service

Thank You, Board Members

These dedicated Board Volunteers provided

governance to Kinship in 2013, insuring a

clear mission and resources to achieve it.

Left to right: Dave Keller, Barb Thomason, Bill

Simpson, Erik Jensen, Helen Griess, Kathy Peterson,

Betty Wignes, Dan Zimmerman, Carol Ford. Not

pictured: Joel Maxwell, Judy Miller, Erika Randall.

Sincere thanks to outgoing officers Kathy

Peterson as president, Dave Keller as Vice

President and Barb Thomason as secretary.

Kinship bade farewell to Terry Morris after nine

years of service on the Board and are pleased

that Terry continues to serve on the Activities

Committee. They welcomed new board mem-

bers Carol Ford, Helen Griess and Betty Wignes.

Officers for 2014 are Dave Keller, President;

Kathy Peterson, Vice President; Betty Wignes,

Secretary; Bill Simpson, Treasurer.

The Board meets monthly with each member

serving on at least one standing committee.

They approve all mentors for the program, set

policy and plan for the future of the organiza-

tion, supervise the Executive Director and play

a major role in fund development. All board

members support Kinship financially and some

are mentors or Reading Buddies. Board mem-

bers serve as the eyes and ears for Kinship in

the community. They deserve our heartfelt

thanks for their service to our children & youth.

From the Executive Director

2013 was in most ways a very good year ~

Kinship welcomed eight new Reading

Buddies in Nevis and Park Rapids and

eight new mentors.

We saw further increases in financial

generosity from individuals, organiza-

tions and area businesses.

We continued building collaborations with professionals

and organizations serving Kinship kids and families.

To strengthen the quality of our mentoring program, the board

and staff made several enhancements in 2013:

Family Mentoring—In addition to individuals and couples,

families with children still living at home can now become

Kinship mentors for a child.

Rent A Mentor—Mentors who recently “retired” from regu-

lar mentoring can agree to be on call to take a Kinship kid

to group activities when their mentor is not available.

Shared Mentoring—Mentors who will be gone for an

extended period of time or who cannot commit to weekly

mentoring can seek a partner with whom they will share

mentoring responsibilities. These shared matches will be

approved on a case by case basis.

Refresh Rematch meetings— At the 1st, 3rd and 5th year

anniversary dates of matches, the Kinship kid, their guardi-

an, mentor and program director meet to assess and cele-

brate the match, share favorite memories, and talk through

their responsibilities for keeping the match strong.

Grants from Operation RoundUp made excellent mentor

trainings possible and funded tickets for mentors/mentees

to attend performances at Long Lake Theater or Northern

Light Opera and to enjoy a meal in our local restaurants.

So, with all this positive, what wasn’t so good?

Kinship still has 15 kids waiting for mentors. All of the children/

youth who are waiting are missing out on the opportunity to

develop a positive relationship with a caring, reliable adult who

can introduce them to new experiences, help them grow in self-

confidence, encourage their social and emotional development,

and share the fun and challenges of learning to be good

friends.

This is where we need your help. Please consider:

Is the time right for you to mentor? Will you talk with your

friends about mentoring? Will you invite me to talk with your

employees or organization about mentoring?

Call me at 732-0058. The kids are waiting for us.

Jennifer Therkilsen

Kinship Contracts for Service

Kinship contracts with the following units of local

government to provide services to the school-

aged residents:

Arago Township

Clay Township

Clover Township

Hubbard County

Hubbard Township

Lake Emma Township

Mantrap Township

Nevis Township

Todd Township

Two Inlets Township

Of the Park Rapids Area

PO Box 282

Park Rapids, MN 56470

218-732-0058

www.kinshipparkrapids.org

Executive Director & Editor

Jennifer Therkilsen

Photographs:

Max Bailey Photography

Beth Baker-Knutilla

Linda Schissel

Jennifer Therkilsen

Want to be removed from the

mailing list? Call 732-0058.

Prefer receiving this newsletter

via email? kinship@unitelc.com

Thank you!

Non Profit Org.

US Postage PAID

Park Rapids, MN

Permit # 58

Kinship Kids: What activity did you most enjoy with your mentor in 2013?

Christopher with Jerry & Michele Werder:

For me, I say when I first met them. I was like so happy

that day because I hadn’t had a Kinship mentor and I had

been waiting for them for a long time.

Dee with Marilyn Kaping: Do I have to pick which one I

like the most? Because I just always like going with Mari-

lyn. I like to go to her house, bake cookies, take care of

the dog, go shopping with her, & anything else we do.

Joseph with Frank Forsberg:

When we go golfing. That’s a blast. I’m getting better and

can almost catch up to him. It’s pretty fun actually.

Kayley with Jo Tuomisto:

Going fishing. I caught a lot of fish—sunfish and perch.

It’s fun being with both Jo and Pete.

Kiana with Brittany Johnson: Sledding at the golf

course. I liked going fast down the big hill with Brittany.

Kylie with Dawn and Paige:

Going to Heartland Park and having a picnic with Dawn

and Paige. We had watermelon, brownies and sandwich-

es. Scott came for awhile. We went over to a tree and

climbed it and then down at the beach we dipped our

feet in the water.

Takoda with Doug Cheney: Swimming at AmericInn.

Kiley with Lori Cheney:

I liked the hockey games, and it’s fun just being with Lori.

Micheal with Joel & Mary Maxwell:

The winter swim party at Brauer’s because it feels like

summer in the middle of winter.

Treana with Sandy Stinar-Nimloss:

I liked tubing at the summer swim party and when we

went to Evergreen Gifts & Fun Park.

Caiden with Phil & JollyStuemke /Dennis Mackedanz

I liked going to movies with Jolly, eating pizza with Phil

and playing with the horses and dogs with Dennis.

Kyron with Richard & Karen Kok:

I got lost in the maze at Evergreen Fun Park. It was fun. I

asked the guy walking on the beams for help to get out.

Brennen with David Niemela: Going to Evergreen Park.

It was fun, especially driving the go-carts.

Cameron with Fred & Karen Lundstrom:

My favorite times with Fred and Karen last year were at

the swim parties.

Karina with Tom & Bonnie Miller: My favorite activity

with them has been to have dinner with them and talk.

We always have the best talks. They inspire me to work

hard and they are a big influence on the choices I make.