BEMIDJI ROTARY CLUB

Bemidji Rotary Club kicks off 10th annual blood screening event

Annalise Braught — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:40:08 GMT

BEMIDJI — For the 10th year, the Bemidji Rotary Club, in partnership with Sanford Health, is hosting its annual blood screening event to provide community members an inexpensive way to learn more about their health.

The event kicked off Wednesday morning and continues from 7 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16, just inside the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s main entrance.

The test is $35 and includes screenings for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin, white blood cell count and liver.

This year, the proceeds will go to the United Way of Bemidji Area's Backpack Buddies program, a food assistance program that helps students have access to meals and snacks during weekends and holidays. It serves 22 area schools and provides meals to approximately 550 kids.

"The United Way came to us at Rotary asking if we would support them this year," explained Rotarian Michele Brielmaier. "It was definitely an obvious choice that this is something that we wanted to participate in. Because there are young people out there every day who need extra food and this allows them to have that."

In honor of their 10th anniversary of the event, Brielmaier said they hope to break their turnout record set in 2018.

"We are excited that we've had 10 years under our belt," she said. "We are hoping that we beat the 2018 record of 566 people, so we're just spreading the word and hoping that we have more than that this year."

She also said the club hopes to surpass last year's fundraising total of $5,617.

In order to achieve these goals, she noted that volunteers have made an extra effort this year to be out sharing about the event in the community, in addition to partnering with the Sanford lab to help streamline the blood-screening process.

"Sanford always does a stellar job in promoting this event and we want to make sure that people recognize that there are needs within our community, and this is a great opportunity to get just a plethora of labs for $35 that would cost them hundreds of dollars if they did it individually," Brielmaier added, "and it's something they can do to make sure they're taking the best care of themselves."

Folks interested in participating can call (218) 333-2277, or walk-in appointments are also available on Thursday and Friday.

Fasting is not required. Participants will receive an official report from Sanford Laboratories with results compared to a reference range through My Sanford Chart or by mail.

A follow-up appointment with a primary care clinician is recommended regarding any results that fall outside the reference range.

For more information, visit www.sanfordhealth.org/classes-and-events/bemidji-blood-screening.

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Bemidji Rotary Club celebrates 90th anniversary with service projects

Dennis Doeden — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:43:52 GMT

BEMIDJI — “Service above self” is the motto for Rotarians worldwide, and the Bemidji Rotary Club is living that phrase this month as it celebrates the 90th anniversary of its founding.

Club members spent part of their regular Monday meeting filling snack packs and hygiene kits for local nonprofits and writing messages of encouragement on Meals on Wheels delivery bags.

“We were trying to come up with a way that everyone could participate in a (90th anniversary) celebration,” said Club President Denae Alamano. “We talked about possibly doing a dinner or picnic. But in the end, we thought about our motto. It’s ‘service above self,’ so let’s serve.”

The club partnered with the United Way of Bemidji Area to identify about a dozen service projects to assist local nonprofits and shelters.

“We just had Rotarians help us with Stamp Out Hunger over the weekend and also with Backpack Buddies,” said Alamano, who is executive director of the local United Way. “We're going to be helping at Adult Day Services, interacting with the clients with crafts and board games. Village of Hope is creating a storeroom or care closet that they've asked for our help to organize. With Evergreen Youth and Family Services, there's some yard work. We're going to serve a meal one of the evenings in May for Community Table. Meals on Wheels is short on drivers, so we’re helping with that.”

The club will also hold its annual blood screening event Wednesday through Friday. The event will take place over three days, starting on Wednesday, May 14, with hours running from 7 to 10 a.m. each morning. The cost is $35, and the screenings will take place at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s Education Center.

Bemidji Rotary is also honoring its past presidents during its weekly meetings this month, asking them to share memories and highlights of their year leading the club.

One of those past presidents is retired physician Ted Will, who has been a Rotarian for 48 years.

“I had been in town for a while, and (local banker) Ben Miller asked if I wanted to join Rotary,” said the 90-year-old Will. “I thought it was an opportunity to meet some other people (outside the hospital). It was an eye-opener for me. I’ve met a lot of great people. My conclusion is that there is so much support here in town. Bemidji has very good people, volunteers who help physically and are generous with their funds.”

Will has been a very active club member, working on local projects and making many trips to Honduras as part of a medical, dental and construction team. He’s also one of the club’s top sellers for the annual Rotary Rose Sale. He served as club president 30 years ago.

Alamano says longtime members like Ted Will serve as an inspiration to younger Rotarians.

“I think it's possibly one of the very few clubs that have such a great range of generations, from age 90 down to the early 20s,” she said. “It's an opportunity where we all get to come together for the same purposes.”

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Bemidji Rotary's annual blood screening event set for May 14-16

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:18:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Health will be hosting a blood screening event on May 14, 15 and 16 to provide community members an inexpensive way to learn more about their health.

The event will take place over three days, starting on Wednesday, May 14, with hours running from 7 to 10 a.m. each morning.

The cost is $35, and the screenings will take place at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s Education Center, 1300 Anne Street NW, Bemidji. Participants should use the east entrance.

The test includes screenings for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin, white blood cell count and liver.

Fasting is not required. Participants will receive an official report from Sanford Laboratories with results compared to a reference range through My Sanford Chart or by mail.

A follow-up appointment with a primary care clinician is recommended regarding any results that fall outside the reference range, a release said.

An appointment is required to participate in the screening. To make an appointment, call (218) 333-2277.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the United Way of Bemidji Area's Backpack Buddies program.

For more information, visit www.sanfordhealth.org/classes-and-events/bemidji-blood-screening.

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Rotary blood screening event raises funds for Bemidji K9 program

Annalise Braught — Wed, 15 May 2024 19:34:57 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Sanford Bemidji Medical Center lobby was a buzz of activity on Wednesday morning as community members filed in the doors for the Rotary Club's annual blood screening event.

Held each spring, the event serves as an opportunity to not only receive a screening at a great price but it also helps raise funds for a different community project each year.

This year, the proceeds are going to the Bemidji Police Department as part of an ongoing effort to reestablish its K9 program, which hasn’t been in place since the early 1990s when its dog, Justus, retired.

Fundraising kicked off earlier this year with a bowling event held in January and will continue until the department reaches its goal of $130,000, which will help cover the cost of a fully outfitted K9 squad car as well as training expenses for K9 Doc and his handler Officer Rachel Kniss.

For those who would like to help support Doc's welcome to Bemidji, the blood screening is $35 and will continue from 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, providing community members an inexpensive way to learn more about their health.

The test is done at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, 1300 Anne St. NW, and includes screenings for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin and white blood cell count.

Appointments will be required by calling (218) 333-2277.

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Appointments open for Bemidji Rotary's annual blood screening event

Pioneer Staff Report — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Health will be hosting a blood screening event on May 15, 16 and 17 to provide community members an inexpensive way to learn more about their health.

The event will take place over three days starting on May 15, with hours running from 7 to 10 a.m. each morning. The cost is $35, and the screenings will take place at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s Education Center, 1300 Anne Street NW, Bemidji.

The test includes screenings for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count.

Previous years allowed walk-ins, but this year appointments will be required. Those interested in scheduling an appointment can call (218) 333-2277.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Bemidji Police Department’s K9 program.

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Bemidji Rotary clubs seek students to sponsor for youth leadership camp

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:51:41 GMT

BEMIDJI — Bemidji’s Noon and Sunrise Rotary Clubs are looking to sponsor high school students in 10th or 11th grade to attend Camp RYLA, a youth leadership camp sponsored by the organization each summer.

RYLA, which stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, is a week-long leadership camp held at the University of Minnesota Crookston, where high school students learn and develop their leadership skills while forging lifelong friendships.

Students will have the opportunity to meet their peers from across Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Canada while they participate in activities and challenges throughout the week as they learn about what leadership means for them.

This year’s camp will be held July 14-20, with an application deadline of April 30. All expenses will be covered by Rotary, and transportation to Crookston will be provided.

More information can be found on the RYLA website, at district5580ryla.org, along with the application. Questions can be directed to David Knudson of the Sunrise Rotary Club at (218) 820-7002.

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Annual Rotary blood screening event continues through Friday

Annalise Braught — Wed, 17 May 2023 19:54:30 GMT

BEMIDJI — The main entrance of the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center was a buzz of activity on Wednesday morning as the Bemidji Rotary kicked off its eighth annual three-day blood screening event.

Marilyn Miller, a Rotary Club member and chair of the event said they usually expect around 500 people to participate in the screening between the three days, and added that there are still appointments available for Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19.

They are accepting some walk-ins but prefer people to make appointments.

The simple blood test offers community members an inexpensive way to discover a wealth of information regarding their health including the diagnosis and possible treatment of many diseases.

The cost is $35 and includes screenings for cholesterol (blood lipids), triglyceride (blood fats), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), glucose (blood sugar), creatinine, hemoglobin, white blood cell count and liver (ALT).

"You can always get blood work done through regular doctor's appointments but this way you pay upfront, you get your results almost immediately through your My Sanford Chart, and you don't have to deal with any insurance or co-pays," Miller said. "It's just a straight $35 and Rotary gets a portion of that."

She added that this year the proceeds are going to a variety of local Rotary Club projects.

"We don't have a specific thing it's going to but we are involved with a youth leadership summer camp, a student exchange program, our Ridgeway Neighborhood Initiative and we have grants available to community organizations, so there's a number of things this will support," Miller explained.

According to Todd Glen, supervisor of laboratory services at Sanford Bemidji, the screening offers folks a chance to get an overall check-up on their health without the requirement of seeing a doctor for specific things.

"Sometimes things will pop up on the test that then folks can go see their regular primary care doctor and follow up on," Glen said. "It's a really good deal and part of the proceeds are able to go back to Rotary to help with the projects they do in the community. So the person gets something and the community gains something from it as well."

Miller also added that for those without insurance or a primary care doctor or who simply don't use medical services often, the screening is a good way for them to come in and get things checked out.

"A lot of people look forward to it every year," Miller left off. "It's kind of on their radar that when May comes around, 'Keep your eye out and we're going to go do that blood screening.'"

Fasting is not a requirement for the test, but participants may still fast with the exception of water for between 9-12 hours prior. For questions about taking any prescription medications, participants may contact their primary care provider.

For more information and to register, call (218) 333-2277 or visit sanfordhealth.org/classes-and-events/bemidji-rotary-blood-screening-event.

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Sanford Bemidji to host Unmasking Brain Injury in Minnesota Campaign event

Pioneer Staff Report — Tue, 02 May 2023 20:34:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sanford Bemidji’s Survivors of Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group is partnering with Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance to participate in their Unmasking Brain Injury in Minnesota Campaign from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s Education A and B Conference Rooms, 1300 Anne St. NW.

Attendees are encouraged to enter through the east entrance of the hospital.

The mission of Unmasking Brain Injury is to promote awareness of the prevalence of brain injury; to give survivors a voice and the means to educate others about what it’s like to live with a brain injury; to show others that persons living with a disability due to their brain injury are like anyone else, deserving of dignity, respect, compassion and the opportunity to prove their value as citizens in their respective communities, a release said.

Alliance staff will be present with mask-making supplies to help individuals create their masks and to encourage personal storytelling.

Dinner will follow for those who pre-register. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to participate in crafting.

However, pre-registration is required for dinner to be included. To RSVP, call (218) 333-5856 or email bemidji_stroke@sanfordhealth.org.

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Rotary Club, Sanford Health to hold annual blood screening event May 17-19

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 19:18:04 GMT

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Bemidji will host their annual blood screening event from 7 to 10 a.m., Wednesday-Friday, May 17-19, in the Education Center area of the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, 1300 Anne St. NW.

With a simple blood test, community members can discover a wealth of information regarding their health including the diagnosis and possible treatment of many diseases, a release said.

The cost is $35, the test includes screenings for cholesterol (blood lipids), triglyceride (blood fats), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), glucose (blood sugar), creatinine, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and liver (ALT).

Fasting is not a requirement. But participants may still fast, with the exception of water, between 9-12 hours before the test. For questions about taking any prescription medications, contact their primary care provider.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Bemidji Rotary Club’s area projects.

Registration is required, for more information and to register, call (218) 333-2277 or visit sanfordhealth.org/classes-and-events/bemidji-rotary-blood-screening-event.

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Bemidji Rotary looking to sponsor 6 high school students for youth leadership camp

Pioneer Staff Report — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 16:05:17 GMT

BEMIDJI — Bemidji's Noon and Sunrise Rotary Clubs invite all area sophomores and juniors to submit an application to attend Camp RYLA, a youth leadership camp sponsored by Rotary each summer.

Students will have the opportunity to meet their peers from across Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Canada, while they participate in activities and challenges throughout the week. Students will also hear from speakers on different key lessons and themes as they learn about what leadership means to them.

This year’s camp will be held July 9-15, and the Bemidji clubs are looking to sponsor six local students to attend. All expenses will be covered by Rotary, and transportation to Crookston will be provided.

For more information and to register, contact David Knudson at (218) 820-7002.

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