MORTON -- The Southwest Minnesota Foundation announced a new name for itself and handed out awards Thursday at its 20th anniversary annual banquet Thursday at Jackpot Junction.
The nonprofit foundation now will be known as the Southwest Initiative Foundation. The new name is a blending of the organization's original name, the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund, and its most recent name, the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The name change is intended to better reflect the foundation's purpose and give it a clearer identity in the region.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation's two signature awards were announced at the annual banquet.
Gary Geiger of Willmar was presented with the Southwest Minnesota Blandin Community Leadership Award. The award, a partnership between the Southwest Initiative Foundation and the Blandin Community Leadership Program, honors Blandin program graduates from the 18 counties of southwestern Minnesota who have made outstanding contributions in community leadership.
Geiger was recognized for his involvement on a wide variety of fronts, including Kandiyohi County economic development efforts, the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, The Barn community theater and Blandin's Partners in Leadership program. He also has been instrumental in helping the Southwest Initiative Foundation shape its Renewable Energy Marketplace initiative.
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The Southwest Initiative Foundation Award was presented to Berdette Schoep of Clarkfield for outstanding contributions to southwestern Minnesota and to the initiative foundation. Schoep is a former board member and interim executive director for the foundation.
Twenty-year anniversary awards were handed out as well to honor 20 individuals, groups, organizations and businesses for significant contributions that have helped the Southwest Initiative Foundation achieve its goals over the past 20 years.
Among the recipients were:
- Ron Erpelding, Willmar, former trustee.
- Wilt Croonquist, Willmar, former loan program adviser.
- Lyle Weismantel, Spicer, former trustee.
- Elroy Burgeson, Granite Falls, founding board member.
- Terry Anderson, Litchfield, former trustee and building committee member.
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- Jack Anderson, Montevideo, former auditor and building committee member.
- Karen Nieuwbeerta, Granite Falls, former administrative assistant.
- Project Respect, Granite Falls, former grant recipient.
- Impact Innovations, Maynard/Clara City, former loan recipient.
About 450 people attended the banquet, which included free workshops on community leadership development, nonprofit board training and a talk on asset-based economic enhancement.
