Annandale
Improvement Club
2024 –
2025
Year in
Review
Beautification:
Committee Team:
Judy Grabham, Linda Leuer, Liz Leitch-Sell, Carleen Hart, John Garver, Jane
Willman, Sherry Trimble, Toni Boie, Becki Grabski, Val Nelson and many
additional volunteers.
The Beautification Committee team and volunteers, wearing
their AIC pink tanks, prepared the grounds of Pelto Gardens, the planter rounds
throughout town, and in two cemeteries for the spring and winter seasons.
Then a planting army planted the rounds creating a promise of summer
beauty. And it was a wonderful
summer for the flowers, which thrived and were gorgeous.
In October the rounds were cleared and prepared for the greenery and
branches. The festive rounds added
much needed beauty to the white of winter.
All of this was only possible with the hard work of the Beautification
Committee Team, our many volunteers, and the support of the City of Annandale
staff. Finally, thank you, Lake
Central Bank, for the gift of garden gloves to help with our mission.
The second Winter Fundraiser was very successful raising
$1,405.00! AIC is budgeting
$1,500.00 next year.
The downtown Annandale mural project became reality this
year. Even better news is the City
of Annandale received a grant for the cost!
Membership
Membership Committee:
Vicki Hoien, Jill Bishop, Jackie Alexander, Judi Gay
There were 9 honorary members and 89 regular members at the
beginning of the 2024 – 2025 year.
As of April 2025, we had 95 regular members and 8 honorary members.
Various members invited guests, and these first-time guests were given a
free lunch. Many decided to join AIC
Members. The “Have Lunch With Us” outreach will continue in 2025 – 2026.
A Recruitment Help and Hospitality Committee was formed and
is led by Jackie Alexander. Its
purpose is to recruit younger generations.
Thank you, Jackie for your hard work and enthusiasm!
A photo packet of membership information was given
to each member. Thank you to Jill
Bishop for taking new member photos, Vicki Morgan and any others who helped.
Jill also updated the member photos in the packet, and Vicki Hoien
coordinated the project. Jan Braun
kept the membership list current each month, and is retiring from the position
after many years. Thank you, Jan!
AIC is open to both female and male members.
Annual dues remained at $35.00.
Lunch cost $13.00 per person.
Any changes in contact information should
be directed to Vicki Morgan
vicki@morganmemory.com, or Judi Gay
Judigay.AIC@gmail.com.
Bylaws and Guidelines were distributed to all
members. Copies were also supplied
at several meetings. AIC gave a
membership packet to new members as they joined and paid dues.
Also, two (2) Leadership Meetings were held, one in March and another in
April, and were led by Vicki Morgan giving an overview of leadership positions
and AIC. These were well received.
Scholarship
Scholarship Committee: Sally Smith, Pam Petersen
AIC awarded two $ 1000.00 scholarships to students at
Annandale High School. These
students earned AIC scholarships by
exhibiting consistent interests and volunteer actions supporting the Annandale
community, academic achievements, and school involvement.
Scholarship winners meet AIC criteria for academics and civic
involvement. We look forward to the
announcement of the May 2025 winners.
Programs and Education
Here is what we learned about this year:
-
In June, the annual field trip took the
AIC members to the Stearns History Museum for a visit with local history, to
Fuji Sushi & Steak House for a hibachi lunch, and finally to the Munsinger
Clemens Botanical Gardens.
-
In August, Chief of Police Pete Standafer
spoke and answered questions about the current status of Annandale, safety and
fraud. The Voluntary Donation of
$132.00 went to the Sholund School for Girls.
-
In September, Christine Husom shared her
journey of becoming an author and publishing her books.
The Voluntary Donation in the amount of $250.00 went to True Friends, a
charity favorite of Doris Wynia.
-
In October, Julie Starke of ‘Keys to
Living Light’ gave us words of wisdom as to organization and clutter.
The October Voluntary Donation of $235.00 went to the Sandlin family.
-
In November, Carole McNaughton-Commers of
AmeriCorps Senior RSVP visited to share how the RSVP program can match you with
volunteer opportunities, both on-going, at home and single events, and can also
support organizations that need volunteers.
The Voluntary Donation in the amount of $397.00 went to the ‘Share Your
Christmas’ program.
-
In December, we had our Christmas Tea at
St. John’s Lutheran Church. The
Voluntary Donation was a ‘Tip Box’ going to Barb Westman and her crew.
-
In January, Amanda Robasse, Founder/CEO of
Open Hearts Home, Inc. talked to us about serving pregnant and parenting young
mothers alongside their children who are in out-of-home placement, homeless or
at risk of homelessness. Our
Voluntary Donations of $436.00 was given to ‘Open Hearts Home, Inc.’
-
In February, Keith Jerpset of Lake Central
Bank spoke about financial scams.
$153.00 was collected in the Voluntary Donation for ‘Quiet Oaks Hospice House.’
-
In March, Crystal Nutt gave a presentation
on ‘Cardinals Rising’, a grassroots community group raising awareness about the
Annandale School District budget deficit and helping to bridge that gap.
AIC donated $876.00 and the Voluntary Donations raised another $458.00.
These donations took advantage of matching donation funds.
-
In April, Dawn Schaefer Stumpf of ‘Room to
Grow’, a therapy house and healing space located in Annandale.
They offer body and mind therapy, including sound therapy.
The Voluntary Donation was given to ‘Room to Grow’ in the amount of
$303.00.
-
Total 2024 – 2025 Voluntary Donations:
$2364.00
Throughout the year, Carla Asfeld and Sally Smith shared
the many events and opportunities available at the Annandale Library.
AIC supports the Summer Program.
A book was donated to the Annandale Library in Doris Wynia’s name.
Sunshine
Linda Leuer sent various cards to AIC members or their
families throughout the year. Thank
you.
Fundraising
Fundraising Committee: Vicki Greene
AIC volunteers worked at the Annandale Lions Club meat
raffles at Billy D’s and at The Stadium this year generating $3,955.00 (4/1/24
to 3/31/25) Vicki Greene was able to
sign AIC up for multiple meat raffles for several months.
The proposed budget amount for 2025 – 2026 is $2,000.00.
Thank you to everyone who gave their time for these meat raffles!
Officers 2024 – 2025:
Abigail Wake, President (May 2024 - February 3rd,
2025)
Doris Wynia, Vice President/Program Coordinator (May 2024 –
August 2024)
Vicki Morgan, Treasurer
Judi Gay, Correspondent Secretary
Gale Bergstrom, Recording Secretary
Vicki Morgan and Judi Gay took over the role of President
for remainder of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Gale Bergstrom
AIC Recording Secretary