Chamber honors Margi Swanson and Kelsey Uecker
February 5th, 2009
Gaylord’s Chamber of Commerce, at its annual banquet on Saturday, January 24th, honored Margi Swanson and Kelsey Uecker with community service awards. Swanson received the Chamber’s “Community Service Award” while Uecker was named “Oustanding Young Leader.”
Margi Swanson
Kind, caring, full of fun, a good listener, and full of integrity and compassion. Those were the words used to describe Swanson by the person who nominated her for the Chamber award.
From visiting the elderly and terminally ill to raising money for the MS Walkathon, Margi Swanson strives to make things better for everyone.
Employment at Hutchinson Medical Center hasn’t stopped Swanson from helping to make Gaylord a better place to live. When you are enjoying one of Gaylord’s future trails, Swanson is someone you could thank. She is chairperson for the Gaylord Trail Committee which has established a trail plan for the City and has received grants and contributions totalling $9,500.
Swanson’s efforts began to show last fall around Gaylord’s retention pond. She led a group for the PACER grant on Active Aging which helped establish a trail around the pond. That trail began to take shape late last year and will likely be completed this spring.
American Lutheran Church in Gaylord has also benefitted from Swanson’s service. She has served on the church council, is an 18-year member of the church choir, and has taught Sunday school. Swanson has also been involved in other church programs designed to enrich the lives of adults and youth.
Swanson and her husband Jim have three children. Their oldest, Sonja, lives in Oklahoma with her two children. She is currently attending Victory Bible Institute. Annika Swanson recently returned from a year long mission in Australia while Ben Swanson returned last month from another tour of duty in the Middle East.
Kelsey Uecker
To say Kelsey Uecker is a good role model is an understatement. The Sibley East senior’s service to the community, to the school, and to the church are unmatched.
Youth in the community have been the primary target of Uecker’s volunteer work. A Girl Scout since first grade, Uecker organized “Blankets of Hope” for her gold award project. During this two day event, Uecker and other community members tied blankets which were donated to the University of Minnesota Lions Eye Clinic and to local ambulance services. Uecker acquired material for the project by asking area churches and civic organizations for donations.
A member of American Lutheran Church, Uecker has been active in the Teens Encounter Christ (TEC). This program strives to help teens have a closer relationship with Christ. Uecker began attending TEC two years ago and has worked at each quarterly retreat since.
At Sibley East, Uecker participates in the choir and drama club. She is also the computer operator for the school’s knowledge bowl team.
During the summer, Uecker is employed at the Gaylord Pool. She is a lifeguard and an instructor and says she enjoys teaching young kids how to swim.
Next fall Uecker will be attending Moorhead State University. She plans to study in the field of social work and hopes to continue her work with youth.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
[...] Minnesota To say Kelsey Uecker is a good role model is an understatement. The Sibley East senior’s service to the community, to the school, and to the church are unmatched. Girl Scout since first grade, Uecker organized “Blankets of Hope” for her gold award project. During this two day event, Uecker and other community members tied blankets which were donated to the University of Minnesota Lions Eye Clinic and to local ambulance services. Uecker acquired material for the project by asking area churches and civic organizations for donations. Link to source [...]