In a heartwarming celebration of community commitment, Beltrami Electric Cooperative proudly announced Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors as the local recipient of the 2023 Touchstone Energy Community Award. The prestigious accolade recognizes organizations making remarkable contributions to their local communities. Angela Lyseng, Communications Specialist at Beltrami Electric Cooperative, emphasized the significant impact of Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors, stating, “They demonstrate a strong commitment to community that we at Beltrami Electric value highly.”

Mission and Origins

Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors, launched in Bemidji in 2002 with the assistance of Alan and Judy Killian, holds a mission close to its heart: bringing nature’s healing and well-being to seniors, veterans, and the disabled. Inspired by a vision to give back to those who have given so much, the Killians, former owners of GoldPine Home in Bemidji, established the local chapter to help senior residents of care facilities experience the joy of fishing. Initially focused on seniors, the program has evolved over the years to embrace a wider audience, including youth, veterans, hospice patients, churches, families, and more. One of the program's notable features is a handicap-accessible pontoon that accommodates wheelchairs, enabling participants to enjoy fishing trips and excursions on Lake Bemidji.

Volunteer-Driven Success

Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors operates with the dedication of over 45 trained volunteers. The program's success is a testament to the vibrant engagement it has fostered within the Bemidji and surrounding communities. All fishing essentials, including poles, bait, are provided to participants at no cost. Alan Killian, serving as the Board President, takes on the responsibility of performing small repairs to the pontoon, as well as its storage.

A Program with Impact

Judy Killian expressed the couple's deep commitment, stating, “We believe in this program to the core; it has touched so many lives, and we want to continue touching lives on the water!” The program's impact resonates not only with the participants but also with the volunteers who find fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of their community.

Recognition and Statewide Opportunity

Beltrami Electric Cooperative actively sought candidates for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the local community. The award comes with an engraved Touchstone Energy® Community Award plaque and a $1,000 donation to the organization’s efforts.

The Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors application will now be submitted for consideration to the statewide Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award committee. The statewide award recipient, selected from local winners across Minnesota, will receive a $2,000 award, further supporting the continuation of their community-oriented initiatives.

As Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors stands as a shining example of the power of community service, Beltrami Electric Cooperative takes pride in celebrating and acknowledging the program's dedication to fostering well-being, camaraderie, and joy among seniors and other community members. The Touchstone Energy Community Award serves not only as a recognition of past contributions but as an encouragement for the program to continue making waves of positive impact in the years to come.