Our collective community of Willmar and Kandiyohi County has gained respect throughout Minnesota in recent decades through our private enterprise, economic development, regional center leadership and community asset development.
None of this could have happened without the leadership, volunteerism and contributions of many people and businesses of Willmar and Kandiyohi County.
The Willmar Area Community Foundation honored three such examples Thursday night at their 2014 Award In Philanthropy event.
Dr. James and Colleen Thompson Michels were honored with the 2014 Award in Philanthropy.
Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc., was honored with the Community Builder Award.
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Congratulations to all for this well-deserved recognition.
Dr. Thompson and Thompson-Michels were both honored for their charitable financial support and volunteerism within the greater Kandiyohi County community.
A Willmar native, Dr. Michels is a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and practiced in New London and Willmar for 35 years. He also worked with the International Health Service in the central highlands of Honduras. He has also been involved in the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus and continues 20 years of service as a Rice Hospice volunteer.
A St. Paul native, Thompson Michels served in leadership positions at Ridgewater College - the Hutchinson and Willmar campuses - including five years as its president. She has also served on many boards and committees for local organizations, including the Willmar Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of West Central Minnesota, Bremer Bank-Willmar, Rice Hospital Board, Willmar School Board, Willmar Women’s Fund and the Barn Theatre. She is also a Rice Hospice volunteer.
A Willmar-based company known worldwide, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc., was honored for its efforts to be a good neighbor and for promoting philanthropy, active participation and leadership in community affairs. The company is a signifi cant fi nancial contributor to community efforts and encourages employee volunteerism. Collectively, Jennie-O and its associates are sole members of the United Way of West Central Minnesota’s “$100 Grand Club.” And Jennie-O associates are engaged in leadership, membership and volunteer work in various organizations across the community.
It is people and businesses like these that make Willmar and Kandiyohi County the place that it is - a great place to live, work and play.
They all reflect the service inspiration of one of Thompson-Michels grandsons. When asked to describe why he had received a civic honor recently at school, he simply said “I help people.”
Well said.
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It certainly is reflected in the community service and contributions of Dr. James and Colleen Thompson Michels and Jennie-O Turkey Store.
Well done.
