Impact Maker Interview 4 – Loren F.

We have a lot to learn from others that are trying to build their communities and their woodpiles. Today’s interview picks another person we’ve identified as giving back to their community in some way and tries to learn from them.

My questions are in bold, their responses are in black.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for an interview, please drop me a note with a brief story about why that person should be featured.

Today’s Interview: Loren F.

Tell us about yourself, where you live, and your family.

I was raised on a dairy farm and educated at a one room school until the 6th grade before taking the bus 2 miles in to the Dawson school. I continued my education through college and graduated with an industrial ed degree from Moorhead State in 1969. In that year we were married, graduated from college, acquired my first teaching position, became a father, and was drafted into the Army. A liberal education in itself. Two years later we returned home to follow our God given talents. Carole taught elementary school and I started a woodworking business at which I built kitchen cabinets and created the machines to make gallery railing and rope molding.

What makes your community special?

I have come to think that communities are shaped around their resources and creative thinkers. For instance, the soybean processing plant in Dawson began with four business people shaping plans for soybean processing while having coffee at the local restaurant. AGP is now a regional ag industry. The first settlers were attracted to the river and trees for firewood and then by chance Dawson became a point where US Hwy 212 and the first railroad crossed. Entrepreneurship, Democracy and business opportunity allowed the history to evolve. Rich black dirt and Christianity need to be given the larger credit for this success.

What do you do to make your community better (volunteer, donate, etc.)?

In the 90’s the Minnesota Extension service introduced a program called Project Future where the community came together to brainstorm the future of Dawson. That very much intrigued me and I volunteered to lead the follow up to a few topics deemed important. I got off that bus to work on a Dawson Community Foundation which with the help of Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund began in the mid 90’s. Today it is a substantial fund generating annual grants to the community. After 18 years I retired.

In the 90’s I was asked to be on the board of the fledgling Dawson Coop Credit Union. There were ups and downs to be sure, but we were able to guide it the strong institution it is today. That was a great education in a banking institution that is about people and their needs. I retired from that position after 18 years too.

Those experiences gave me the insight to help other organizations. In the early 2000’s I helped form the Lac qui Parle Hope Network, an organization that raises funds to help people diagnosed with cancer with their incidental expenses as they deal with treatment. Each year some 30 to 40 people receive about $1,000 each for their needs.

About that same time, I was asked to be on the Lac qui Parle County Park Board. Having a history of initiating needed projects and a woodworking business that creates and markets products helped in pursuing projects. That history helped to steer the park board into and through improvements like a solar well and a vault bathroom and other hands on projects that improved the facilities and trails as well as improving respect for the park. The park has been approved as a Regional Park and we are in the process of forming the process by which that can be implemented. Communication with the Regional Park Commission, the County Commissioners and the Park Board the park will eventually acquire facilities to compliment the natural attributes of the park.

How do you impact others with your work/vocation (or did you, if retired)?

Not always in a positive way. Community opportunities tend to be measured by what’s in it for me as opposed to what is in it for the next generation. What is good for the community may not be obvious.

Tell us about how you build your family up for success?

My two sons worked with me in my shop to develop and build many products and projects and in the process were able to take with them the critical thinking needed to pursue work that complimented their God given talents. As a follower of Jesus, I have come to understand that using my talents to help others is a form of Worship. I now have the opportunity to communicate and encourage my grandchildren to explore their God given talents.

Which area – your community, vocation, or family – do you feel you are the best at, and why?

I am likely drawn to long term projects that will have a positive impact on the community for a long time, projects that can grow and be improved on.

What have the results of your efforts been? 

Change is about affecting the momentum of a cause for the right reasons, namely the benefit of the community as opposed to the perceived benefits of the individual.

Talk about the event, organization or activity you’ve been involved in that made the biggest impact?

Because the Dawson Community Foundation is an endowed fund and has a directive to meet the needs of the community, it can be valuable forever. The Regional Park concept for the LqP County Park has the same potential but for a different purpose. The litmus test words are perpetual and community.

Who or what inspired you to give back of yourself?

I was introduced to community by Mr. Rusick, my 7th grade civics teacher, who laid out the structure by which Democracy is accomplished. He taught us that we had a responsibility to participate.

What has been the biggest obstacle for you personally in trying to be a community builder, and how did you or do you hope to overcome it? 

Resistance to change is a given but patience, persistence, good information determines the outcome.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

I hope that my input helps to create community projects for the most people for the longest amount of time.

What advice to you want to give someone trying to build their woodpile?

Use your faith in your decision making and keep your politics out, because Faith does not compromise and Democracy must compromise. For direction use Matthew 5:34-37  34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Any questions you would like to ask our Woodpile community?

All suggestions welcome!!!

Be sure to leave your questions or comments for Loren below! Feel free to share this blog post with others who may be interested using the buttons at the bottom of the article.