The Longville Ice Skating Rink recently received a $1,000 grant from the Longville Area Community Foundation.  The rink, a winter highlight for Longville, is located at Stuart Memorial Park.  Maintained by committed volunteers, this rink draws hundreds of skaters to Longville to enjoy the park and create family memories.  Pictured are L, skating rink representative Craig Anderson and R, LACF Grant Liaison Larry Jensen.

Longville Area Community Foundation recently awarded a $3,000 grant to the Longville Women of Today for their 2024 Toys for Kids Program.  This yearly event brings Christmas joy to many children and local families in need.  Donations enable the Longville Women of Today to provide toys, games, winter gear, personal care items and many more items for kids from newborns to teenagers.  Donations for this event can be mailed to the Longville Women of Today, P.O. Box 293, Longville, MN, 56655.  Presenting the grant is LACF Grant Liaison Larry Jensen.  Accepting for the Longville Women of Today are Nancy Coughlin and Colleen Moravek.

The Longville Area Community Foundation recently completed a three-year grant commitment to Camp Olson YMCA and the building of the new Arts Center.  Transferring the $5,000 grant distribution are L to R:  LACF Treasurer Tim Coughlin, outgoing Camp Olson Executive Director Russ Link, incoming Executive Director John Lyon and LACF Grant Liaison Larry Jensen.  Congratulation to Camp Olson YMCA on this latest improvement to the camp experience!

The Longville Area Community Foundation continues to support the Young at Heart Club (YAH).  The YAH Club provides a location for Longville area senior citizens to meet for fellowship and fun.  The club building is available for meetings and other gatherings.  This year’s LACF grant will support the building’s wi-fi service for the next 36 months. Pictured in the photo are L to R:  Grant Liaison Larry Jensen,  YAH representative Larry Sorensen and Treasurer Tim Coughlin.  

The Remer Community Garden recently received a $3,000 grant from the Longville Area Community Foundation.  Their Giving Garden has donated hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to the Longville Food Shelf.  This year the Remer Garden housed University of Minnesota seed trial beds.  The seed trials were a great way to introduce new flowers, vegetables and new growing techniques to local gardeners.  Pictured in the photo are L to R:  Grant Liaison Larry Jensen, Laura and Matt Moraczewki, and LACF Treasurer Tim Coughlin.

Holiday cheer will once again ring through Longville as the Longville Area Community Choir presents their annual Christmas Concert at Salem Lutheran Church.  All Choir members are volunteers and the performance is funded by choir membership dues, free will offerings and donations by businesses and organizations.  The Longville Area Community Foundation is pleased to support this year’s event.  Accepting the $750 grant are Tim Marr and Mary Hagelie of the Community Choir, LACF Grant Liaison Larry Jenson and Treasurer Tim Coughlin. 

The Longville Area Community Foundation supports the event with a $500 grant.  Accepting the grant is Sharon Gilsrud center, along with Grant Liaison Larry Jensen and Treasurer Tim Coughlin. 

Camp Olson YMCA celebrates Executive Director Russ Link and Welcomes New Director  

After 20+ years of service as Executive Director at Camp Olson YMCA, Russ Link will retire from his position and head towards the next chapter of his family's journey.  Russ has been an exceptional camp director and as well as a champion of Longville.  Although we are sad to see him move on, we celebrate him and all he has meant to Longville and the thousands of camp kids and families he has influenced.  Longville will welcome new CEO John Lyon as he takes his position beginning in January of 2025.  LACF has been a strong supporter of Camp Olson YMCA providing grants to support the youth scholarship program and grants to support the new Arts Center.  We look forward to continuing that support.

Longville Snowmobile Club 

It's September and the Longville Snowmobile Club is already thinking about snow!  LACF provided a grant to the club to help them update their equipment.  And the club is currently mowing and conducting general trail maintenance in anticipation of a great winter season.  Thank you to the hard-working members of the Longville club!

The Longville Area Community Garden Continues to Flourish

The Longville Area Community Foundation recently approved a $3,000 grant for the Longville Area Community Garden.  Funds will be used to continue special projects and improvements.  The Garden recently hosted a tour for representatives from Cass County and the SHIPS program.  The Longville Community Garden has been identified as a prime example of best practices and design, and serves as an guide to other community gardens.  Pictured left to right are:  Jenny Jones, LACF;  Paul Harwig, Community Garden; Carol Johnson, Community Garden; and Tim Coughlin, LACF Treasurer.

 Longville Area Arts Center 

The Longville Area Community Foundation continues to support the new Arts Center located in town.  Scheduled classes include:  

July 24-25  Stained Glass                6:30-9 pm $60             Barb Anderson

July 25       Kids Art Class                1-2 p.m.     Free            Sara Schroeder

July 28       Wool Felting                 1-3 p.m.     $35             Sara Schroeder

July 29       Inktense Watercolor    1-4 p.m.     $40             Saundra Martell

*Bring your own white or light-colored cotton tshirt to turtle tie dye.

Register for classes at the Longville Lakes Arts Center during open hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 pm. Or call at 218-363-6728. Check out their Facebook page and website for more information!

Longville Clean Up Day 2024

The Longville Area Community Foundation provided a $500 grant to help fund the June 29 Longville Clean Up Day.  This year’s event was held from 8-11 a.m. at the new location, Slagle Solid Waste on Co Rd. 7.  Accepting the grant are Clean Up co-chairs Carol and Jim Schuelke center.  Presenting the grant are LACF President Terry Fay, left and Treasurer Tim Coughlin, right.

Longville Area Community Foundation Launches 2024 Membership and Fund Raising Drive and Call for Board Members

The Longville Area Community Foundation (LACF) has begun this year’s membership drive.  Yearly membership runs from July 1 to June 30.  A donation of $50.00 confirms a one year, family membership.  Additional donation, sponsorship and endowment contributions are also welcomed at this time. 

The Longville Area Community Foundation (LACF) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization established in 1992.  The Foundation is dedicated to enriching Longville and surrounding service areas through grants to local charities and nonprofits, as well as scholarships for qualifying local college and trade school students. LACF supports services and programs that impact health and safety, educational and environmental purposes.

Although the LACF was established in 1992, new residents and visitors might not be aware of its existence.  Yet its impact is seen in numerous activities throughout the year.  All funds raised by the LACF stay in the Longville community. Grant recipients have included the Longville Fire Department, Lake Country First Responders, the Longville Community Garden, Longville Turtle Races, Food Shelf, Snowmobile Club, Music in the Park, Margaret Welch Memorial Library, Camp Olson YMCA and so many more. Since 2017 LACF has distributed over $280,000 in grants.  All these recipients help make Longville a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Community foundations are charitable organizations created through gifts from people who care about a particular geographic area.  Anyone can contribute any amount of money to a community foundation.  These funds can be used to provide grants that support programs and strengthen the community.  Or, donor gifts can be directed into an endowment fund that grows and creates future income, forever.  In addition to monetary contributions supporters can pledge their time and skills by participating on the Board or supporting a specific project. 

The membership/donation form can be found on the LACF website:   longvillefoundation.org or by calling:  218-363-3825.  Tax deductible membership dues and gifts are accepted any time of year.  They can be mailed to:  LACF, P.O. Box 92, Longville, MN.  56655.   For residents and visitors who may not have time to be more involved, or are unaware of the many local organizations that need support, LACF is a means to assure that everyone can become a Longville champion. LACF is continually welcoming new supporters, volunteers and Board members.  To learn more call:  218-363-3825.

LACF Awards $5,000 Grant to the Longville Fire Department 

The Longville Area Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Longville Fire Department. The Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the LVFD.  The community is grateful for the decades of service this department has provided.  Longville is fortunate to have this group of dedicated volunteers, current and past, to provide support and services to Longville and the surrounding area.

All fire fighters carry pagers that alert them from dispatch when an emergency arises.  At a moment’s notice this department of 25 volunteers will stop what they are doing, leave their jobs and quickly respond to structure fires, car accidents or wildland fires.  Good communications are essential so that the team can get to the Longville Fire Hall as quickly as possible, get into their turnout gear and be in route to your emergency.

All members go through extensive hours of training to be prepared for a variety of emergencies:  Firefighter1, Firefighter2, Hazmat operations level, and many more trainings.  Keeping up with current training, and maintaining and replacing equipment requires continuous attention and planning.  This year’s LACF grant funds will be used to replace current portable radios that are obsolete and not functioning optimally.  New radios will enhance communications on and to emergency scenes. 

The Longville Area Community Foundation (LACF) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization established in 1992.  The Foundation is dedicated to enriching Longville and surrounding service areas through grants to local charities and nonprofits. LACF raises funds that are used for services and programs that impact health and safety, educational and environmental purposes. 

LACF welcomes tax deductible donations as well as continually seeks new supporters, volunteers and Board members.  To learn more about LACF go to:  longvillefoundation.org or call:  218-363-3825.

Presenting the $5,000 grant LACF check are Board Member Tom Kutschied at left of check, and Treasurer Tim Coughlin 4^th from right.

Firefighters pictured are, left to right, Chip Rivard, Dustin Hauskin, Craig Johnson, Matt Bandemere, Zack Nornberg, Jason Perkins, Logan Gross, Troy Weaver, Austin Smith (on truck, Dean Murray, Luke Jepson) Matt Daudt, Jason Knapp, Austin Likens, Nathan Lange, James Raines, Ted Raines, Robb Bennett, Scott Wicks, Brandon Herheim, Jamey Gross, (not pictured, JJ Welk, Russ Barber, Fritz Myers, Ryan Hanson.

Longville Area Community Foundation Supports Lake Country First Responders

The Longville Area Community Foundation is pleased to award a $2500 grant application to the Lake Country First Responders.  The Lake Country First Response Team is made up of 9 volunteers who cover approximately 300 square miles, including Longville and the surrounding townships.  The Team works with North Ambulance and provides assistance to them with a variety of tasks and services.  The Team responds to 20 to 30 calls per month.  All Lake Country First Responders are trained in the use of life saving medications and treatments including Narcan, Nitro, Epi Pen, glucose gel and oxygen.  Funds received from the LACF will support continued education and training, as well as help purchase new AEDS, gels and medications. Pictured above, left to right are:  Tom Kutschied LACF Board Member, David Van Overbeke, Tim Coughlin LACF Treasurer, Adam Hicok, Ted Raines, Pat Dysart and Dawn Hicok.

Margaret Welch Memorial Library Receives Longville Area Community Foundation Grant

The Margaret Welch Memorial Library recently completed the new addition and is ready for summer fun!  The Longville Area Community Foundation was pleased to present the library a grant in the amount of $3,500. These funds will be used for furnishings in the new space.  Our Longville Library was established in 1955 and is the smallest town in Minnesota to have a public library. The updated space will enhance the service and experience for the thousands of patrons who utilize the library as well as improve space for special projects, story time and craft programs offered for visiting summer families and children.  Pictured are left to right:  Tom Kutschied LACF Board Member, Larry Jensen LACF Grant Liaison, Phyllis Eck representing the Library Board, Tim Coughlin LACF Treasurer, Patty Nypower LACF Secretary/ Scholarship Liaison, and Terry Fay LACF President. 

It’s off to the races!   The Longville Area Community Foundation recently presented the Longville Chamber a grant for $2,000.   Funds will be used to help contain the costs of Turtle Race prizes and admission so that families and visitors can continue to enjoy this fun family tradition and support Longville.  Accepting the check is Jane Schlagel (center) from the Longville Chamber.  Presenting is Tim Coughlin, Foundation Treasurer and Terry Fay President.

The Longville Area Community Foundation continues to support the Longville Area Community Garden with this spring’s grant of $4,000.  In its fourth year of operation, the site includes a ¾ mile walking trail that is open to anyone, as well as individual gardens, Children’s Garden area and Dog Park. The Garden continues to develop and offer an amazing experience for gardeners and visitors.  This spring’s grant will be utilized for permanent fencing to safeguard the gardens and Dog Park.  The Community Garden is operated by the Longville Lions, located on Wabedo Township Land and supported by grants from the Longville Area Foundation, Cass County SHIP, and Wabedo Township.  To learn more, visit the Longville Community Garden Facebook page.   Featured in the photo L-R are:  LACF Board Member Tom Kutschied, Carol Johnson Longville Area Community Garden, LACF Board Member and Grant Liaison Larry Jensen, Paul Harwig Longville Area Community Garden and LACF President Terry Fay.

The Longville Area Community Foundation supports Camp Olson YMCA and decades of joy, fun, growth and friendship in the great outdoors.  This summer, Camp Olson YMCA will celebrate 70 years of service where youth can grow and explore while discovering leadership potential.  Campers develop connection and purpose that they take with them into life.  The LACF has been a long-time supporter of Camp Olson YMCA and is pleased to award this recent grant of $3,000.  This year’s funds will be used to help local Longville youth attend camp.  Pictured above, left to right are:   Tom Kutschied LACF Board Member, Russ Link Camp Olson Executive Director, Tim Coughlin LACF Treasurer and Terry Fay LACF President

In March the Longville Area Community Foundation approved a grant for  $5,000 for the Longville Area Food Shelf.  LACF is pleased to continue to support this important organization.  Funds will be used to help those in need of food assistance and support the Food Shelf’s ongoing emergency assistance service. Presenting the grant are Board Member Tom Kutchied, Grant Liaison Larry Jensen and Terry Fay President.  Accepting on behalf of the Food Shelf is Treasurer Patti Abbott.

Please bookmark the Longville Area Community Foundation website located at:

Longvillefoundation.org

The Big Party

Dinner & Raffles

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Patrick’s on Girl Lake