WAF awards more than $100,000 during celebration

Well over 100 people attended a May 8 celebration marking more than $110,000 in grants awarded to local organizations by the Waseca Area Foundation (WAF) during its spring round of funding. Representatives for more than 40 local groups or events gathered at the Starfire Event Center in Waseca.

As the program began, Foundation executive director Amy Potter mentioned the WAF is something of an umbrella group, holding custody of monies set aside by many different people and organizations with the intent of supporting philanthropic programs. “Some of these are earmarked for specific types of projects,” she explained. “This might be ‘youth,’ or ‘education.’ 

“You do the hard work on the ground every day,” Potter told those in attendance. “We congratulate you on continuing to do that work, and are glad we could support you.”

Potter thanked the members of the WAF board of directors, all volunteers, who have the task of deciding which applications will receive funding each round and how much they will be awarded. “This room is filled with a lot of ‘doers,’” said Potter. “Your work accomplishes the fun and vital things that make the Waseca Area community a great place to live and raise a family.” 

Funds went to groups based across the county, supporting everything from construction projects such as lighting at the Waldorf Veterans Memorial Park and groundwork at the 4-H horse arena on the county fairgrounds; to furniture including desks, chairs and picnic tables; electronic equipment for schools, many educational events, among them a Todd Dufault music clinic for the Marching Classic and many different field trips for students.

After each recipient was announced, a representative was asked to share information about benefits made possible by the funding. An element of humor was introduced as a string of speakers was forced to adjust the microphone downward in order to be heard; Waseca High School teacher Sandy Schumacher gave a wry smile and observed, “Yes, I’m short.” Eventually Diana Kelley of Infants Remembered in Silence (IRIS) turned to WAF board member David Oraskovich, who is more than 6 feet tall and who persistently adjusted the microphone upward when he would speak.

“You know, you’re the problem,” she chided good-naturedly.

Among those who lowered the microphone was Brenda Langerud of Santa’s Workshop, wearing a red-and-white Christmas hat. She introduced herself as “Elf Brenda,” and mentioned that the group is always looking for volunteers who might be willing to build things like doll beds or perform other tasks. “More and more,” she said, “we are getting requests for things like ‘a pillow that isn’t flat,’ or ‘my own pairs of socks.’” Langerud said the organization serves 350 children across nine counties.

Schools and school organizations including Hartley Elementary, Waseca Intermediate, TEAM Academy, Sacred Heart Elementary, Janesville’s Trinity Lutheran School, JWP, the Alternative Learning Center, the Transitions program, Junior Achievement and more received about $34,000.

Youth support programs including Junior Achievement, Waseca County 4-H, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Scouting America, the Power of Produce Club and Santa’s Workshop received about $21,500.

Arts, history and nature organizations including the Waseca Art Center, the Waseca County Historical Society, Farmamerica, the Waseca Public Library and Aspyn Acres received a combined total of about $8,000.

Support organizations including the Bethlehem Inn, the Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center, Feeding Our Community Partners, Lutheran Social Services, the Minnesota Valley Action Council, Waseca Area Caregiver Services, Infants Remembered in Silence, received about $24,000.

Events and special activities including the Waseca County Farm Bureau Association “Taste of the Farm” meal, the Waseca County Fair, Lakefest 2025 and its Fun Run/Walk, the Janesville Hay Daze Fun Run/Walk, and the Sleigh and Cutter Festival received about $7,500.