"What do ring neck pheasants, community canning centers, Head Start and solar greenhouses have in common?" If you are stumped on the answer, you need only look to your local Community Action program in Otter Tail and Wadena Counties. All of these were at one time, and some still are, programs of Community Action which is celebrating 45 years of service to the two counties.
"We have a long and dynamic history of implementation of innovative programs covering a wide range of services, from Energy Assistance and Head Start to Tornado Relief, to low income families going back to 1965," said Davis Leino-Mills, executive director of the agency. "We even had a Project M-o-o-o which was established in 1968. Under this project, we purchased 81 calves for seniors to supplement their incomes and look at supplemental agricultural opportunities for our rural communities."
Our agency was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act and in March 1965. Seventy-five local residents met in Battle Lake to discuss the Economic Opportunity Act. At that time, an 11-person board was elected and Community Action came into being.
"In celebration of agency and our communities, staff and volunteers, we invite everyone to join us for community get-togethers at Fergus Falls, Wadena and New York Mills on Tuesday, Oct. 12. We are hoping for a big turn-out so everyone can take part in the fun," Davis said.
The open house celebrations will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the River Inn in Fergus Falls, a morning breakfast at the Community Action Agency in New York Mills from 7-9 a.m., and Wadena's celebration will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church parish center. No RSVP is necessary.
