Rice County

: Coordinator: Deb Johnson-Schad

Address:
PO Box 402
Northfield, MN 55057

Phone: 507-649-1699

Rice County Forms

Community Needs

Drivers
Like driving? Drivers needed for residents of Ruth’s House in Faribault. Drivers are also needed to drive people to medical appointments through Aging Services for Communities. Drivers are also needed to assist in getting clients to the SEMCAC dining for lunch during the week.

Food Shelf
Assist in distributing food Tues 10-2; Wed 9-12 or Thurs 12-7 at the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC) With increased need, your help is needed stocking shelves at the NCRC. Drivers are also needed to help with picking up food from local grocers.

Elementary Schools
Help students in the Montgomery-Lonsdale East Elementary School in Lonsdale within your area of interest. Volunteers are needed to assist with the following: computer lab, classroom helper with reading, general interest classroom helper and media assistant.

Become a pen pal with an elementary student at Bridgewater or Sibley. Fall, winter and spring sessions are available. Volunteers write letters once a week for 8 weeks and meet their pen pal at a fun celebration at the end of the program.

Exercise Class
Assist in leading the Bone Builders exercise class twice a week for an hour. This weight bearing exercise class works toward strengthening, increasing bone density and muscle strength.

Are you interested in your community needs, email Deb Schad or call her at 507-649-1699.

Volunteer Spotlight

Bernice Christensen

Bernice Christensen

Bernice just recently joined the ranks as a RSVP volunteer. However, volunteering is not new to her. She has volunteered in the community in numerous capacities including at her church and the Northfield Senior Center. Bernice did not hesitate to step forward and assume the role of lead volunteer for the Senior Center. She is now the RSVP liaison at the Center and as such helps out with new volunteer enrollment and gathering of monthly timesheets.

Bernice will also be joining in the fun activities surrounding volunteer appreciation. She is assisting with the planning of a fun event at the Center this spring. A drawing and treats are on the agenda!

Thanks for your hard work, pleasant attitude and fun ideas, Bernice!

Community Impact

Bone Builders Class Expands to Northfield

Bone Builders is an exercise program that incorporates strength & balance training, stretching and fun all into one hour. Most importantly, most of the exercises involve the use of ankle and arm weights to work towards improving bone density. Bone Builders started in Rice County two years ago in Faribault and currently has about 30 regular participants. They have reported some health improvements including: improved balance, better bone density, improved muscle strength and better overall health including increased socialization.

RSVP is able to offer this class for free because of the partnerships that come together to make it happen. U-Care has sponsored the cost of weights for 34 participants, RSVP provides the training to volunteers to lead the class and seeks a site in the community to donate the needed space.

We now offer a class in Northfield at Three Links Apartments but are in need of additional volunteers to be trained to lead the class. Please call your RSVP coordinator, Deb Johnson-Schad @ 649-1699 to learn more about this opportunity. Also, if you are interested in participating in the class…please contact Deb for more information.

Community Partners

Kildahl Park Coop Residents Shake the Community

We have all heard that salt from the salt shaker enhances taste. Well, the residents of Kildahl Park Coop are the shakers in Northfield. They are working hard to “shake up” their community. The residents of this beautiful community are active volunteers in many different capacities. Thirteen participate in the Reasons to Write pen pal program and have for several years now!

It becomes apparent when one visits their beautiful new living facility that it is an environment that embraces community and support for each other. The group regularly shares information during their coffee time. Their energy and contributions definitely enhance our community.

Advisory Board Members

Zach Pruitt – Director, Northfield Healthy Community Initiative
Lynne Pederson – Executive Director, Northfield Senior Center
Judy Bickel – Program Director, Northfield Community Action Center
Peter Schmitz – Volunteer
Candy Nordine – Non-profit management
Candy Taylor – Executive Director, 5th Bridge (Volunteer Organization)
Kathy Sandberg – Manager, Rice County Family Services Collaborative
Marcia Morris Beck – Executive Director, United Way of Faribault
Linda Stolte – Program Manager, Lutheran Social Service