Giving Hearts Day labeled huge success for CASNR

The Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford (CASNR) raised a lot of money for Giving Hearts Day.

CASNR Manager Angie Hopfauf said Tuesday that the organization raised nearly $44,000 for their local emergency responders at this year's event.

The annual fundraising effort kicked off with a massive $27,000 donation courtesy of the New Rockford Eagles Club.

"Special thank you to the Eagles Club for their very generous donation of $27,000 and all other businesses and individual donors who recognized CASNR on Giving Hearts Day," said Hopfauf. "We are so appreciative of every dollar to continue to update our equipment, for training our volunteers and community members and for paying our volunteers $3 per hour for on-call time."

On Thursday, Feb. 9, CASNR hosted a soup luncheon at the ambulance hall, which was also very successful.

Hopfauf said they served around 150 people that morning and afternoon, and that before long, every last drop of soup from all 12 crockpots had been consumed. There will have to be even more soup on hand for next year's event, Hopfauf remarked.

A number of those that attended also won special door prizes, including Cheryl Sandager who went home with a baking basket, and Lisa Thompson, who won a t-shirt.

Hopfauf thanked everyone who made Thursday's event possible, such as Amy Bachmeier who donated 150 cupcakes from Wildflour Cupcakery and Sara Myhre for door prize baskets and a plant donation.

Soup donations were provided by Tanya Munson, Amy Bachmeier, Sara Myhre, Alyson Myhre, Georgia Johnson, Danette Schmid, Karla Berglund, Kari Benson, Kathy Jenrich, Hannah Brandner, Jon Heinz and Angie Hopfauf.

Volunteers who did setup/clean up and/or worked during the event, included Rachel Holzwarth, Amy Bachmeier, Sara Myhre, Georgia Johnson, Mike Schmid, Hannah Brandner, Kari Benson, Carla Newman, Becki Schumacher, Andrew Presnell, Ashlynn Benson, Madi Myhre, Mark McDowell and Hopfauf.

Hopfauf also recognized Thrivent Financial, who donated a $250 gift card to purchase supplies and t-shirts, as well as Rockford Cafe for the crackers and to-go bowls.

"Giving Hearts Day was a huge success because of our great community!" exclaimed Hopfauf.