Individuals commit to St. Joseph's project

There's a giant hole at the south end of St. Joseph's Area Health Services; one filled with rebar, building equipment and construction workers. All of the commotion means progress is on target for a new and renovated medical center to be shared by St. Joseph's and Dakota Clinic.

Couples such as Cal and Jan Kehr, Dave and Mary Jane Keller, and Ed and Joan Redalen are just as excited as anybody about the construction project. They have been leaders in the community portion of the project campaign that is ready to begin.

Currently St. Joseph's Campaign Executive Committee and Foundation is turning to the community and summer residents for philanthropic commitments to raise more than $2.5 million locally of the $26 million project cost. (Business leaders have committed more than $1.5 on behalf of the project to date and more businesses continue to demonstrate their generosity to this effort.)

"It's people like the Kehrs, Kellers and Redalens who are coming forward to say they fully support healthcare for our region," says Cynthia Rooney, St. Joseph's communication/development manager. "We are asking everyone to stop and ask themselves what our community would be like without the high quality healthcare and services available here. Community support is a vital link to the success of this project and ensures the continued standards of excellence we expect from our healthcare providers," Rooney says.

St. Joseph's is turning to individuals at this time and asking them to invest in the future health and well being of the people in this area. Donors of $1,000 or more will be listed on a wall of honor in the new facility, or you may also have a space named in memory of a loved one. Top-level donors can have their name affixed to a treatment area or piece of equipment. Contributions below $1,000 will be listed in a book of remembrance.

Cal and Jan Kehr

"This project is important for every citizen of the community," Cal Kehr says. He and his wife, Jan, gave $25,000 because they feel strongly about their desire to "live in a community that has good healthcare." Both hold backgrounds in pharmacy and worked as medical researchers in Indiana prior to retirement.

Having visited the area since the 1960s and falling for the "gorgeous" surroundings admittedly was the driving force for eventually relocating here, but knowing quality healthcare was near also played a role in making Park Rapids all the easier in which to fall in love.

"I, in particular, have used the Emergency Department several times," Cal says. He admits to being "accident-prone" on occasion.

"And all of our medical care is here," Jan adds. "We transferred everything."

The Kehrs came to Park Rapids with a community-minded, can-do attitude and quickly became involved in efforts including the Headwaters Intervention Center, animal shelter, arts organizations and are big supporters of education. They prefer to invest their resources in local efforts because they can see them being used.

"Park Rapids, for a small town, is extraordinary," Jan points out. "How many small towns really have what's available around here? Those things don't happen all by themselves; people have to contribute not only money, but talent and time to all of these things.

"We've always observed what can be done in a small community. It's rewarding to see what a difference people can make," Cal adds. "It's important to have good medical care, and we know thatŠ. and we know that it's expensive."

Dave and Mary Jane Keller

Taking a five-minute breather from the hustle of resort season, Brookside Resort owners Dave and Mary Jane Keller didn't flinch when they donated $10,000 towards the hospital/clinic building project.

"It serves everyone in the community," Dave points out. "Every visitor. All ages. Every background. Everybody needs medical care."

Just this past Memorial Day weekend one of their guests needed an emergency appendectomy. "Everything turned out just wonderfully," says Mary Jane. "It was 11 at night and they had to perform emergency surgery. The care was immediate, and our guest and family were so appreciative and impressed by the care they received."

When the issue of medical care comes up at the resort, Dave says they are always "happy and proud to send them to our hospital and clinic." Medical services are used by resorters often, they report, and return with "great delight" to discover that the services provided in our area are updated and modern.

"Good medical care is vital to the infrastructure of a good community," Dave will tell you. That, and good schools. In fact, two of their three children and their spouses plan to eventually return to the area as professionals (physical therapist, social worker, optometrist) having seen the changes happening in the community. The school system is strong, the hospital and clinic are building towards the future, roads are being updated and a downtown revitalization effort is underway. "The town is not just stagnating," Dave says. Their children are excited about what it will have to offer upon their return.

"They could go anywhere," he adds, "But they're coming back because they want this lifestyle and opportunities here."

The Kellers are firm believers in civic duty and pride. As Mary Jane will tell you: "We certainly will donate to wonderful causes. It's important."

Ed & Joan Redalen

Ed and Joan Redalen, summer visitors to the area, found a creative way to give to St. Joseph's community campaign. They donated a limited edition art collection valued at $28,000.

Their method of giving demonstrates there are different ways to contribute to the campaign. One can give as a memorial to loved ones, and gifts can also include contributions through stocks, IRAs, properties or insurance policies.

The Redalens of Marshalltown, IA have been collecting art for years. When they learned their collection would be a viable donation, they chose artwork to donate depicting wildlife indigenous to the northland.

Ed Redalen said they watched as businesses such as the banks started coming forward with gifts to fund the building project this past year and were inspired to do the same. The Redalens, their children and grandchildren spend a lot of time visiting the area and say the services provided by the hospital and clinic are important to them.

"The availability of good medical care and good medical facilities are of very high value to us," he says. "This is a satisfying thing for us to do, and we are excited to see Park Rapids becoming so vibrant. The building project is very significant. It's quite a vision and is now becoming a reality."

The Redalens are interested in keeping medical care in the Park Rapids area strong today and into the future. "It's nice to be able to be a part of this," Ed says.