Ecumen Receives Otto Bremer Foundation Grant To Aid Rural North Dakota Families Dealing with Dementia
The Otto Bremer Foundation Ecumen has awarded Ecumen a $118,950 grant to provide educational training sessions in rural North Dakota for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Ecumen Worthington Resident Honored for Longtime Legion Membership
Clifford "Hooley" Heuhn, an Ecumen Meadows in Worthington resident was honored in a ceremony this week for reaching 70 years of membership in the American Legion. Heuhn joined the Round Lake American Legion Charles Flentje Post 461 upon his return from World War II in 1945. Bruce Hasara, Commander of Post 461 speaks highly of Heuhn, stating, "We're just really proud to have him as a member and grateful for everything he has done over the years. I sure wish we had more members like him." Read more of Heuhn's story in the Daily Globe.
Pelican Valley Health Center Receives $65,000 Grant for New High-Tech Alert System From Otto Bremer Foundation
The Pelican Valley Health Center, managed by Ecumen, has received a $65,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to purchase a new state-of-the-art system to alert staff when residents need assistance.
The system operates with wireless technology and can be used throughout the care center. Residents wear a small pendant and simply press a button if they need assistance. The alerts sound on iPods carried by staff, giving the exact location of the caller.
“We are so very grateful to the Otto Bremer Foundation for making this new system possible for us,” said Executive Director Barbara Garrity. “It’s the very best technology available, and it will dramatically shorten staff response time and improve our quality of care.”
Garrity said the system, to be purchased from Intelligent InSites and installed in the next two or three months, promises to bring added security both to residents and staff. Residents can walk around freely, knowing that staff can respond quickly to a problem, she said, and staff can feel confident they can immediately find residents calling for assistance.
About the Otto Bremer Foundation
Created in 1944, the Otto Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic and social participation in and for the betterment of their communities. This mission is based on the intent of founder Otto Bremer. His vision and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great Depression are carried forward today through the Foundation’s work in the places that are homes and neighbors to Bremer banks. The Foundation strives to help build healthy, vibrant communities — communities where basic needs are met, mutual regard is prized and opportunities for economic, civic and social participation are within everyone's reach. The Otto Bremer Foundation owns 92 percent of Bremer Bank, and receives an equivalent share of the bank profits that are paid out as dividends. This means that a large portion of bank profit is invested back in local communities through grants and program-related investments. In 2013 the Foundation provided approximately $38 million in grants and program-related investments.
Ecumen Detroit Lakes Fundraising Effort Leads To $50,000 Otto Bremer Foundation Matching Grant for New Short-Stay Rehab
Ecumen Detroit Lakes, now undergoing a major remodeling and expansion, recently celebrated receiving a $50,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to match the more than $50,000 it raised in the local community.
Since the campus is also observing its 50th anniversary in 2014, the celebration event was named “50-50-50 Charity Benefit” and brought the community together to fundraise through sponsorships, donations and a silent auction. In addition to the $50,000 matching grant, Bremer has also donated another $25,000 toward the project, bringing their total contribution to $75,000. 
Ecumen Detroit Lakes Executive Director Janet Green thanked the donors and participants for their support, announced that the $50,000 goal had been met and accepted a $50,000 ceremonial check from Ron Mueller, president of the Detroit Lakes Bremer Bank.
The money will go to help build a new short-stay rehabilitation and wellness center that has been under construction since September 2013 and is expected to open in August 2014. The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation is the lead grant funder, with a $3 million contribution, and Ecumen is investing $8 million in the project.
The project is a key component of what is envisioned as an innovative "one-stop aging services hub” that integrates technology, socialization, fitness, nutrition and health care to help keep seniors in rural Becker County healthier and independent. The new addition will include a therapy center with a hydrotherapy pool, a wellness center with a bistro, a telehealth center and a yoga room. The project also includes updating other areas of Ecumen Detroit Lakes campus, including the installation of new carpet and flooring and upgrading of bathrooms to better meet the care needs of residents.
“This project is preparing us for the next 50 years,” Green said. “We’re going to be able to serve people better and differently.”