Essentia Health-St. Joseph Awards Health Grants

The city of Pine River was awarded $6,140 to purchase skates and protective equipment for children ages pre-K through eighth grade. The funds will expand the community skating lessons programs by making skates and protective equipment available to youth who either do not have or cannot afford the equipment necessary for them to take part in skating lessons.

“In 2012, the Pine River community came together to build a hockey rink and warming house. It was a heartwarming community effort and St. Joseph’s Foundation is pleased to be able to support this work through a grant to purchase skates and equipment to help expose more kids and families to hockey and skating as a healthy lifetime activity,” said David Cowell, Board Member.

Happy Dancing Turtle Whole Health Pine River-Backus program was awarded $3,000 to help increase the outreach of this program which provides low-income individuals and families a free Community Support Agriculture produce share and food education. With this increased access to both healthy food options and education, participants are empowered to make choices that will improve their health and wellbeing.

Brainerd Fire Department, Brainerd YMCA and Pierz Police Department also received an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) which is equal to a $1,300 grant. The AED is a tool that provides emergency aid by helping to restore a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.