Grand Rapids, MN – Lake Country Power selected the Itasca County Volunteers for the Handicapped Association of Grand Rapids, Minn., as the winner of its annual Touchstone Energy Community Award. The co-op chose this non-profit organization for the 35 years they’ve touched the lives of those living with disabilities in communities spanning from Bemidji to Duluth.   

“This group has volunteered their time and fundraised to do so many good projects since 1982 for those with disabilities,” said Misty Ryan of Lake Country Power. “They are the reason there are sidewalks on Highway 169 south of McDonald’s in Grand Rapids, and the reason there are ramps and seating in the fairground’s grandstand that’s accessible to those with a handicap.” 

As winner of the Touchstone Energy Community Award, the Itasca County Volunteers for the Handicapped Association was awarded a plaque and $500 that will go toward the group’s future projects. 

“We really appreciate being recognized for the Touchstone Energy Community Award,” said Brian Carlson, volunteer and chair of the Itasca County Volunteers for the Handicapped Association. “We don’t boast about what we’ve done in the past 35 years of service because that’s not our place. But we have been able to encourage other organizations and government agencies to pick up much of what we started 35 years ago, and that says a lot.”   

The main objective of Itasca County Volunteers for the Handicapped Association is to reduce barriers for those with disabilities, and to open a door for them to have a better life by continuing to be part of the community in their own way. It’s an all-volunteer organization that could use more people. The group started in 1982 with 125 members, and today has a few dozen. Anyone interested may contact Brian Carlson at 218-256-1522. 

Lake Country Power is one of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives in Minnesota providing a local community award to encourage and recognize local community contributions. Itasca County Volunteers for the Handicapped Association will compete with winners from other Minnesota-based electric cooperatives for statewide recognition and $1,000. 

Lake Country Power, www.lakecountrypower.coop, is a Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving parts of eight counties in northeastern Minnesota. The rural electric cooperative provides services to nearly 43,000 members and has offices located in Grand Rapids, Kettle River and Mountain Iron.