Browerville Blade article

Olive Garden is donating ALL of the food!

Olive Garden of Baxter, MN is donating ALL of the food for the spaghetti supper!  

Jamie Gauld, Service Manager, says of their donation, "Steph is such an inspiration of perseverance. I'm so glad I could help her!!"

To thank them, please eat at the Olive Garden in Baxter.  This is a HUGE donation for the benefit, and will allow us to give more money to Stephanie.

Who doesn't love Olive Garden's salad and bread sticks?! YUM!

7399 Garrison Road 

Baxter, MN  56425

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Wadena Pioneer Journal article

Thank you to Wadena Pioneer Journal for covering Stephanie's story!

Wadena Pioneer Journal article

I love unexpected mail!

Today I received a piece of mail that totally made my day!

Lisa from Camp S'more Campground writes:
"Steph and Jesse camped with us last year. After learning of Steph's situation our daughter started following her Caringbridge site and most recently saw there was going to be a benefit for Steph.

Enclosed are a couple of camping gift certificates for your silent auction."

Wow, thank you to Camp S'more Campground for your generous and unexpected donation!

Readers, please visit www.CampSmoreMN.com or call 320-732-2517 to make your 2013 camping reservations.

Become a Donor

If you follow Steph's Caringbridge site, or if you're friends with her on Facebook, you may have read that she recently found out that her donor's family has sent her a letter and picture of the donor. In her note, she asks us to register to become an organ donor. That got me to thinking...am I registered? Have I taken all of the steps to ensure my organs can be donated?

I visited the website www.OrganDonor.gov. There I found out how to become an organ and tissue donor. It's fast, easy and free! It only took about 30 seconds.

Note! If you wish to donate your organs, but do not take the following steps, your family will be asked to make the decision for you. Make your wishes known now.

1. Join the Donor Registry.

• Register Online Here: Select your state. Enter your name, address, and state ID. 
• Or, call 1-888-5-DONATE to get registered.

2. Add it to your ID.
Make sure you indicate that you want to be an organ donor when you apply for or renew your driver's license or state ID card.

3. Tell everyone in your life.
Tell your family, friends, doctor and faith leader that you would like your organs and tissue donated.

4. Write it down.
Include your donation decision in your advance directives, will, and living will.

What's your New Year's Resolution?

A new year. A chance to start fresh. A time to reflect and a time to set goals. What do you want to accomplish this year? How do you want to live? What changes do you want to make?

As you look ahead into 2013, I encourage you to do all things with love. Wave at your neighbor. Smile at the store clerk. Do chores without complaining. Be kind to someone you do not like. Introduce yourself to someone new. Apologize. Sacrifice your time and money. Get to know people you pre-judge. Admit when you are wrong. Listen more and talk less. Volunteer. Act selflessly.