Generosity and Giving Back in Otter Tail County
Sure, Otter Tail County is known for beautiful landscapes and welcoming communities, but one of the best things about living here is the remarkable spirit of giving back that’s woven into our small towns. In this special corner of Minnesota, the warmth of our locals shines just as brightly as the sun glistening over our many lakes.
From bustling local businesses to dedicated non-profits, Otter Tail County is a region where compassion and support are part of the fabric of daily life. Whether it’s through volunteer work, charitable donations, or innovative programs designed to uplift everyone in the area, there’s a shared commitment to making a difference that touches every corner of the county.
Volunteers Make It Possible
In rural communities, so many events and projects are only possible because locals raise their hands to serve. Volunteering a couple hours to mow someone’s lawn or play with kids at the children’s museum may seem so small, but the ripple effects that has on our communities is huge.
Volunteer time as an employee benefit: Employers like Vector Windows, KLN Family Brands, and First National Bank believe volunteering and giving back in their communities is so important that it’s part of the benefits package. Paid VTO (volunteer time off), donations for every volunteer hour, and coworker volunteer opportunities are part of the culture that employers create.
Random acts of kindness: Some locals have a generous heart to go above and beyond for their neighbors. Community volunteer groups like the Two Shirt Army in Fergus Falls form on their own to meet needs in the community including helping families move furniture, mowing lawns, raking leaves, and cooking meals. These groups spread kindness in the community like seeds in a garden.
If you’re curious about volunteer opportunities in the area, our friends at Elevate have a handy website and app with tons of these opportunities all listed in one place.
Get Involved
Another way we generously give our time in Otter Tail County is by serving on a board, committee, or planning group. Nearly 1 in 10 individuals in Otter Tail County need to serve in positional leadership (local government or non-profit) at one point in their lifetime.
Organizations like Lakes Area Community Center (LACC), West Central Initiative, Ottertail Business and Community Association, New York Mills Civic and Commerce, and the Perham Area Chamber rely on committees and planning groups to put together fun events including Wenonga Days, Phelps Mill Festival, Music in the Park, Welcoming Week, Christmas Tree Festival, and Lights in the Pines. Without these individuals dedicating their time to organize the events, we’d have a lot less to celebrate.
Festival, and Lights in the Pines. Without these individuals dedicating their time to organize the events, we’d have a lot less to celebrate.
Putting Money Where Our Hearts Are
The heartwarming world of generosity in Otter Tail County goes beyond giving time and talents. There’s also hundreds of organizations and individuals that put their money where their hearts are and donate financially to make our communities better. Where there’s a need there’s a way with local businesses and organizations that step up.
- KLN Family Brands, Perham Health, and Brunswick-Lund Boats support employees’ needs for affordable child care by subsidizing part of the cost of care. KLN and Perham Health both financially contributed to the expansion of Children’s Corner Learning Center in Perham last year, adding nearly 30 child care spots.
- Lake Region Electric Cooperative in Pelican Rapids uses extra change generated from rounding up the monthly bills of participating members to fund requests by local charitable organizations. Since 2007, Operation Round Up has awarded $683,550 to purchase various items for local fire departments, groups serving youth, medical equipment for those in need, donations to food shelves and many other worthwhile causes.
- The owners at All Seasons Heating and Cooling in Ottertail make it a priority to show kindness to their employees. All Seasons bought a lake cabin that they allow employees and their families to rent out for a weekend. They believe wholeheartedly that their hard working employees deserve opportunities to enjoy lake life any time they want.
- Minnesota Motor Company is a proud supporter of Fergus Falls High School sports. This family-owned business sponsors “Minnesota Motor Night” for free entry into Otters activities for many sports throughout their respective seasons.
- Another logo you’ll see all over school activities programs and on banners around the community is Pemberton Law Firm. They support local nonprofits like the Fergus Falls YMCA, A Center for the Arts, M State’s foundation, food shelves, and United Way.
- Otter Cove Children’s Museum believes every child deserves to play, so they accept donations to offer Access to Play Memberships. Access to Play memberships are available to families that experience barriers to participation at the museum, and they cover one year of unlimited access to Otter Cove.
Would you believe us if we told you that we’re only scratching the surface of generosity in our region? There are so many more incredible organizations and businesses that are the beating heart of Otter Tail County’s generosity. There are many more stories of hope, resilience, and community spirit that are sure to inspire. The incredible acts of kindness that define the essence of Otter Tail County deserve more recognition, but we hope this helps you discover the true meaning of giving back, right here in our beloved county.
Some of the content and ideas in this blog post may have been generated with or inspired by AI. A member of our staff has edited, altered and added to the content to ensure accuracy. This blend of AI and human creativity aims to provide you with engaging and innovative perspectives on the wonders of Otter Tail County, MN.
