Helping our neighbors in medical crisisTogether, we helped 47 Cass Clay families in 2015

Hockey community huddles together through tragedies

MORE THAN $10 MILLION RAISED IN 8 YEARS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES

Story by Spencer Klein

Tragedies, by their very nature, are devastating. They don’t play favorites and know no boundaries. Those involved with tragedies go through great su�ering and could use a helping hand. Sports, a cornerstone of entertainment and community pride, are a common vehicle for rallying people against a cause due to a powerful behind-the-scenes e�ect: bringing people together. Team sports inspire groups of people to persevere, work together and move forward. This togetherness can produce profound e�ects when tested.

Over the last few years, the Fargo-Moorhead hockey community has been put to the test.

It started in the summer of 2012. The Fargo Force had just �nished another season as the area’s premier junior team. A redistricting – which brought about the Fargo South-Shanley and Fargo Davies boys hockey programs – functioned successfully in its second year.

The Fargo North boys program had just captured the state title. Everything was going great for the F-M hockey community – until it wasn’t.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Fargo North goaltender Nick Schmit was involved in a serious boating accident, requiring surgery and extensive rehab.

In November, friends within the hockey community partnered with Lend A Hand to organize a bene�t for Nick and his family ata Force game. Many organizations and individuals from the area donated to the cause.

“Lend A Hand provided us with a connection to the community’s support, increasing success through the program’s name recognition, marketing help and match funding,” said Jane Schmit, Nick’s mom.

With the help of Lend A Hand and the support of countless caring community members,Nick was able to get back on the ice the following season. Once again, things seemed to be going great. Once again, tragedy struck.

In February 2014, former Fargo North standout Zach Kraft – who was playing junior hockey in Wisconsin – was diagnosed with Glioblastoma,

a rare, aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. He had to put his dreams of playing college hockey on hold while he faced the �ght of his life.

Immediately, Zach’s community rallied behind him with the support of Lend A Hand’s unique resources. Another bene�t was organized with a silent auction and ra�e at the El Zagal Shrine and an exhibition hockey game at Teamster’s Arena. The support was overwhelming.

Tragedies like these are unplanned and leave individuals in need of help. Sports are an easy way to rally for a cause, but not the only way. Sharing compassion and generosity helps others know that they are not facing hard times alone.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Zach’s passing on November 6 at the age of 22.

More family photos

RONI DELANEY

JESSE SHIREK

JACK EVAVOLD

RANDY NELSONCHRIS & SHERI FINSTAD

JASON LUNDBLADTIM SWEENEY

STEPHEN OLSON

DALE POWERSKASEY & BABY OBERG

VICKI MEYER ROB HASSE RANDY MYERS

AARON RUSTADMARSHA GLADUE

EMBER RAYNE CAREY

Nick Schmit Zach Kraft

RICHARD BURCKHARD

ZACHARY RUMMEL

PATRICK ARBACH

GRACIE ALBRECHTCOLLEEN MACKOWIC

MAVIS FRUEHED BINIEK

PETER HALVORSEN

STEVE BULATSJ THOMAS

JASON BOOMER ALLISONRENEE ANN BERBUER PAIGE LAZORENKO

TWILA BRUNASARA KOPPELMAN

RANDY HOGENSON

With your generosity, we can help more of our neighbors in medical crisis!

Note from the Lend A Hand Director

Families experiencing a medical crisis seek relief from pain, uncertainty and expenses. Medical providers o�er a valued capacity to assist with discomfort as they partner with their patients to provide care and treatment. For friends and family members, knowing when and how to help can be challenging.

The Lend A Hand program provides unique resources that o�er structured opportunities for people to show their love and support. Resources include planning, marketing and online giving tools for those hosting a bene�t and matching funds to increase the impact of giving.

The power of outstretched hands connecting as a compassionate community is powerful – providing not only �nancial relief, but embracing our neighbors with friendship.

Together, Lend A Hand and caring community members raised more than $1.5 million in the past year to help 47 local families. The emotional support that accompanied this giving was an immeasurable treasure.

Thank you for giving!

Jeana Peinovich

Rebeca BakkeMarilyn Bjoralt, R.N.Brian BoerSue BoerDale BohnerTracy BohnerJason BoutwellBarb Brookshire, M.D.Julene Brown, R.N

Durinda DeTarLisa FaulLori GerhardsonAmanda HartmannBrian HaugenJulie HaugenBecky HebertGodela Iverson, M.D.Mary Johnson

Ruel JohnsonDiane KenneySharon KleinSeema Khosla, M.D.Ann KummAnn Malmberg, R.N.Je� MichelsLori MichelsDiane Miller

Deanna NessJim PeinovichSherri PetersonKristi RichmanJudi SchmidtTerry SchmidtJane Skalsky, R.N.Carrie SpeerBrandon Sugihara

Jennifer ThompsonJan TuelDeb Wimmer Vickie WoldenMary Wolf, R.N.Lend A Hand Director, Jeana PeinovichDMF President, J. Patrick Traynor

Lend A Hand Ambassadors and Committee Members

Your gift to Lend A Hand isTax-deductible, matched by Dakota Medical Foundation, and 100% distributed to local families facing �nancial hardship due to a serious medical condition

Give online: www.dm�endahand.orgClick the gray “Donate to Lend A Hand” tab at the top of the page and choose Giving Fund

Give by cash/check directly to the Lend A Hand Giving FundLend A Hand-DMF | 4141 28th Ave S | Fargo, ND 58104

Lend A Hand’s endowment fundThe Lend A Hand Forever Fund sustains and grows the program into the future. All donors receive federal deductions and North Dakotans who give $5,000 or more also receive a generous ND tax credit. Whereas donations to the Lend A Hand Giving fund impact families immediately, gifts to the Lend A Hand Forever Fund reach into perpetuity.

DEBORAH FEAR BASS

Sincere thanks is extended to 2015 volunteers, program sponsors and generous donors

GOLD GIVING PARTNER$2,500 - $4,499City of Fargo Employees Dakota Medical Foundation (Gifts designated by: Janet Gemar, Emmit Kenney, James Peinovich and Jane Skalsky)Granite City Food & BreweryWest Acres Development SILVER GIVING PARTNER$1,000-$2,499Austin & Laura MorrisCombined Federal Campaign BRONZE GIVING PARTNER$250 - $999Abbott, Arne, Schwindt, IncAppareao SystemsBarry Foundation

Randy & Linda BrogrenJason BoutwellCasselton Lions ClubCole PapersJohn & Patti Cosgri�Dabbert Custom HomesDianne DavisDr. Bruce & Sharon DommRick & Sandra DuvalSteve & Lisa EicholtzKevin FisherFargo MarathonFM USBC BowlingKate FreimanisRoger & Carol GrimmGrouser ProductsG & T Plumbing & HeatingPeter HoveyDale & Becky HebertIndigo SignworksDr. Mark JensenJonathan & Margaret HorneMary JohnsonAllan & Myrna JohnsonDeboroh KaulBrad & Syndy KellerDr. Emmet & Diane KenneyKen & Joan LammersDale LianDeb MagnusonShannon Mehlisch-DockterDr. Ronald McClureLori MichelsMicrosoft Matching GiftsMutchler Bartram ArchitectsOthers, LLCSteven & Julie SampsonVince & Karri SegalRandy & Jane SkalskyErik SkieNancy SlottenJ. Patrick & Jamie TraynorVision BankWarner & CompanyMichael and Malissa WendtTroy & Mary Wolf CONTRIBUTORS$100-249Agassiz Underground LLC

Candace AllarJanice AndersonAsplin ExcavatingAuger InnTerry & Donna BladholmDale & Tracy BohnerBorder States ElectricMark BourdonScott BreidenbachChad BresnahanLarry & Linda BrooksDr. Barbara BrookshireValerie BuchholzJim BuusChristianson's FurnitureCity & Co Employees Credit UnionClassic IndustriesSteven CuseyEnclave DevelopmentRandy & Tamara DronenEmpire LiquorsRon & Connie EricksonJe� FicekMark & Pam FillibrandtLana FossDan FremlingFriendly Smiles DenistryGateway Building SupplyBarry GishGoin' PostalMike & Pam GruchallaDavid HansonKathy HansonDr. Joel & Deb HaugenBeth HegneyMichelle HoganDiann HunterPaul IversonStanley & Dr. Godela IversonJ J Peinovich, LLCMichael JerdeThomas JabensDean & Carmen JohnsonMark & Pam JohnsonRuel JohnsonLisa Kresky-Gri�nMichael & Joan KrushNikki KurtzBrett & Kristina LindemannRandy Lindsteadt

Lisa LykkenMarty & Ann MalmbergMeats by Jon & WayneJustin McCulloughDr. Kevin & Jean MelicherJacky MergnerEric & Amber MerhiyJe� Michaels & Sherri PetersonDain & Jenny MillerJoseph MochMom's Diner/TailgatersDave & Mary MorrinvilleLarry & Kathy MorrisAmy MuellerSheila MurackHeidi NammourBrad & Deanna NessCole NiemeyerSusan NilsonMaryJane NipstadNorthern ImprovementRick & Susan NymarkFreemont & Lori PenderJanel PenderDarin PeriusWendy RitchisonRDO EquipmentMarc RueS & S Promotional GroupWade SandyEd & Nancy SchaferJennifer SchempppDon & Marlys SchmidtTerri & Judi SchmidtMike & Barb SchumacherSellin BrothersSheyenne EnterprisesCindy SiebelsSpace Aliens GrillCarrie Speer-OlsonTonya StendeSteve StormanSwensons/Bleachers Bar & GrillKathy ThompsonNick ThompsonJudith TriebwasserKarla VolrathGeraldine WalzMisty WeberMeryl & Julie Willert

Paul & Pam WilsonBrad & Deb WimmerGrace WolfDawn ZimmermanZorbaz Advertising & Marketing LEAD VOLUNTEERSGail Adams-VentzkeDonna AlyeaRosanna AndersonSarah BerquamLeslie BlairSara BoyerJess BrandtMichele CarneyAmber DietzmannCharlotte FeldmanBecky FellTammy GasalDan GeraghtyKathy GriggsBeverly GrimmDavid HamiltonAshley HiebSarah HodgsonJason JaegerJulie KecklerSindy KellerKristen KnudsonLori KrauseGreg LemkeSarah LundbladAlison MakiShawna MantheyLaney MousseauAlison OttesenJon PaulLaura PedersonBrenda RobinsonMary SaylerSara ScoreMelissa SeitzCassie SkalickyConnie SolbergSteve StafkiJulie TambleDotti TaylorJan TuelRose VargasJanette Venaas-Gilbraith

Emily VremBrittney WalochKari Weidner-CenicerosJulie West

CHARITY RUNNERSWHO LACED UP FORLEND A HANDKevin BartramDale BohnerTracy BohnerJason BoutwellJulene BrownSandy DuvalAndrea Grei�Brian HaugenStanley IversonRuel JohnsonLori MichelsDeanna NessJackie NessAnna PeinovichJames PeinovichJeana PeinovichJudi SchmidtTerry SchmidtAnnie ThompsonBrianna ThompsonBrittany ThompsonMaren ThompsonKathy ThompsonThor ThompsonPat TraynorJamie TraynorMichelle WillardPaul WillardSusan Willard

IN KIND:Mom's Diner/TailgatersMoorhead Community AccessSignorama

MEMORIALSElsie Lorraine BentzAlbin “Jim” JohnsonEarl Magneson

MIKE HOLDEN

JULIANNA SHULSTADCHRISTIANA STEFFENBRIAN MAKI

REBECCA HINSZ

TERESA GUTIERREZ

JEANNE VREM

ETHAN KNUTSON STEVE LEMKE SUSAN A JOHNSONSHARON REIN

HANNAH SMITHWILLOW ERICKSON

W SONEWALD

PLATINUM SPONSORS$5,000 -$30,000Alex Stern Family FoundationBell State Bank & Trust(Gifts designated by: Patrick Cha�ee, Durinda DeTar, Kent Hagen, Brian Haugen, Barb Henneman, Casey Whipple, Adam Kolle and Bill Quam) Boer FamilyChuck it Dodgeball TournamentCullen Children’s FoundationDakota Supply GroupEyecare AssociatesGate City BankNorth Dakota Center for SleepOne HerdStick It To Cancer Fargo HS HockeyTeam ChipDr EP & Lucy Wenz

"Our dad was a funeral director who spent his life comforting families. His memorials to Lend A Hand complement his life-long philosophy of helping others in medical crisis." Jim Johnson Family

Dakota Medical Foundation4141 28th Ave S | Fargo, ND 58104

dmflendahand.org

Lend A Hand Save the Dates!Tuesday, Dec 1st Push4Kids.org Buy a mobile coupon book to support area kids. Tuesday, Feb 9th HS Hockey Stick it to Cancer Games Scheels Arena

Thursday, Feb 11th Giving Hearts Day Make an online contribution to Lend A Hand and other favorite charities.

Saturday, Feb 13th Team Chip’s Bowlin’ for the Colon Sunset Lanes, Moorhead. A fun way for friends and family to give back to Lend A Hand.

Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21 Fargo Marathon Make your participation more meaningful by turning your steps into help for your neighbors. Lace up for Lend A Hand! All youth and adult events qualify.

Any day! Memorials, milestones, unique events Make a gift to honor someone special. Lace up for Lend A Hand through an athletic event. Create a new opportunity to share support. Every day is a great day to give!

Would you like to help a neighbor, coworker, friend or family member in medical crisis?Lend A Hand o�ers planning, marketingand online resources to help you host asuccessful bene�t, and matching funds toinspire and maximize the impact of giving.

Team Chip Bowlin’ For The Colon FundraiserEyecare Associates Check Presentation

High School Hockey Moms Stick It To Cancer