About this Series: The Northwest Minnesota Foundation staff believes that we can all make a difference in our communities by stepping forward to becoming part of something bigger. This belief not only helps drive our day-to-day activities at work but is also apparent in our personal lives. This series highlights our staff’s commitment to community through their volunteer activities, those that occur outside of the traditional work day.
“I raised my daughters in an area of Bemidji that was not particularly affluent. More than once, we returned home to find neighborhood children playing on our own backyard play structure. At that time, our neighborhood did not have a traditional “park” or play structure, so my girls and I took frequent drives and long walks to reach those that did. I wondered, more than once, whether those other neighborhood kids were able to do the same.
I joined the Parks and Recreation Commission to not only support our great Parks team in strengthening the great amenities Bemidji already has, while exploring responsible ways to further parks development, but to also have a voice in ensuring that our Parks are improved and maintained in all areas of our community, to the benefit of all.”
BETHANY WESLEY
Communications Director
