Pictured left to right: Charlie Mann, Terry Featherstone, Sheila Featherstone, Larry Sutherland – Mesabi Metallics President and C.O.O., Vicky Shofner, Amy Schmidt, and Don Mohawk.
The Buck Lake Improvement Club (BLIC) received a donation from Mesabi Metallics on January 12th to help upgrade the Club’s light fixtures. The project is to rewire light fixtures, install 80 new LED lamps, and dispose of 80 fluorescent lamps.
“It feels good to support hard-working volunteers that give their time to make a difference,” said Mesabi Metallics President and C.O.O. Larry Sutherland, “Mesabi Metallics believes in supporting investments, large or small, like this in the community.”
The Buck Lake Improvement Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been serving the community since 1949. “Our Club is designated as an unorganized township hall for the community. However, we don’t receive any state or local government aid,” said Vicky Shofner who serves as BLIC’s Vice-President. Just this year, the Club has hosted our annual softball tournament, AED and First Aid training, a card club, highway cleanups, a community meeting with local leaders about road construction, and many families have rented our space for their own celebrations. “We are also an approved emergency pick-up point for the Life Link Helicopter. Our softball field and swimming beach are freely used by the community during all the warm weather months,” added Shofner.
When planning fundraising events, BLIC tries to make them community events. Their monthly fundraising breakfasts have become a gathering place for the community to touch base with each other. “Our annual softball tournament brings hundreds of locals and more distant Minnesotans to the Club. We have also started doing charitable gambling Bingo and it has been a big hit with the community,” said Shofner.
Even with their historically successful fundraising efforts, BLIC still needs assistance to complete major improvements and equipment purchases. “The donation from Mesabi Metallics is greatly appreciated,” concluded Shofner.
(Interviews available upon request)
For more information, contact:
Ben DeNucci
ben.denucci@mesabimetallics.com
218-348-0592
