The Rice County Area United Way Announced on Tuesday that 23 area Rice County human services non-profit organizations have been awarded grants over the next two years, totaling approximately $400,000.
The list of Grantees includes Community Action Center, HealthFinders Collaborative, Healthy Community Initiative, The Hope Center of Rice County, Northfield Union of Youth, River Bend Nature Center, Rice County Neighbors United, and Ruth’s House of Hope, just to name a few. The recipients all provide evidence-based solutions to address needs throughout the county.
The two-year cycle is a new initiative for the Rice County United Way. Executive Director Elizabeth Child explained in a statement issued by the organization that, by offering funding over the next two years it gives many non-profits more stability than they have had in the past.
However, the statement made it clear that the Rice County Area United Way will continue to be a resource for immediate needs as well. Crediting Rebound Partners for a generous donation, the statement said $10,000 has been allocated for microgrants over the next twelve months.
Additionally, more than $50,000 has been raised to support literacy for some 1700 Rice County preschool children. Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, each of those kids will receive a new book every month, with the Rice County Area United Way serving as the local administrative body.
The United Way grant cycle begins now and continues through June 30, 2026. A new, two-year grant option will begin again after that.
Northfield Hospital adding more resources to the very successful Birth Center
Northfield Hospital + Clinics announced earlier this week that board-certified lactation consultant Nicole Martens has been hired to become a member of the NH+C Birth Center staff.
A statement issued by NH+ C said Martens will care for newborns and new mothers in the Birth Center. After the babies go home, she will offer one-on-one meetings in a comfortable private office at the Birth Center. All women are welcome no-matter where the baby was born.
The statement said Martens has more than 20 years of experience as a lactation specialist. She is also a pediatric nurse practitioner, with graduate degrees from St. Catherine University in St. Paul.
Martens said in the statement that she would like to help people meet their goals for breastfeeding and better understand that each baby feeds differently.
“Whether this is their first baby, second baby or more,” she said in the statement, “each baby is different, and therefore each breastfeeding experience is different.”
Martens will specialize in Newborns, Nutrition, Parenting, and Preventive Care.
Lactation services at NH+C include breastfeeding lessons, advice and strategies on how to breastfeed at work or school, Problems with low milk supply, pumping and storage of breast milk, how to ween a baby from breastfeeding and much more. There is also a lactation consultation to help with post-partum breast care for women who choose not to breastfeed.
Lactation services are often covered by insurance; check with your insurance carrier about your coverage by calling the number on your insurance card.
Appointments may be scheduled at 507-646-1216. Those who had a baby outside of the Northfield Birth Center will need a referral from their provider.
Go ‘Crazy’ throughout the Northfield area today
Today is, of course, Crazy Days, Northfield’s annual outdoor summer shopping event sponsored by the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Local shop owners and merchants will shut down Division Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street, in order to offer bargains, food and family-oriented activities.
Sales and events will be happening throughout Downtown Northfield. Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Jane Bartho said more than 40 businesses not located downtown will have booths on Division Street as well. Other businesses, she said, will celebrate with sales at their locations.
Chamber President Jane Bartho said that while there will be non-Division Street businesses set up in booths on Division Street, this year Crazy Days is expanding to include other businesses throughout town and even into Dundas. There will be many family-friendly events to give the day a more festive feel. The US Army will set up a rock-climbing wall near 5th Street. Post Consumer Brands will sell cereal on Bridge Square. The Northfield School District will have a booth giving people the opportunity to write a note to an educator, thanking them for all they do for the area students. Bartho also said political candidates will be invited to set up tables in one section of Downtown Northfield so they can interact directly with voters during this important election season.
Northfield Emergency Vehicles including fire engines and ambulances will be on display near 5th Street as well as a Benjamin Bus supplied school bus. The Sundowners Car Club will hold their annual classic car and jeep show outside the VFW around 5:00pm.
The Chamber of Commerce will also have a booth at Bridge Square where they will have Chamber Bucks for sale which can be used at businesses during Crazy Daze.
Crazy Daze will run today throughout the Northfield area. Stores are open from 7am-7pm.
KYMN Daily News 7/25/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
