Community Thread :: Stillwater MN

Community Thread is one of eight regional Volunteer Centers connecting people through service. We make volunteering easy! We serve 17,000 people each year through the Volunteer Center, Senior Centers in Stillwater and Bayport, Transportation Program, Holiday Bureau and Medical Reserve Corps.

BE PART OF THE STORY

Dana Nelson first became involved with Community Thread in 1997- when it was still called the Senior Center and located in downtown Stillwater. She was asked to supervise their blood drive every first Thursday of the month, something that she did for nine years. During this time she also began helping the Transportation Program as an office worker.

The Transportation Program connects people in need of rides to doctor appointments with volunteer drivers who can provide them with the necessary transportation. Dana did a good deal of work to help keep the program organized and has seen it through changes and growth. Dana remembers when they did everything by hand, using 5x7 cards to write down driver information and scheduling appointments on paper. Eventually they got computers to speed up the process. Even so, 'it's kind of a tough job", says Dana," there are a lot of things you have to remember."

Dana believes that the Transportation Program is crucial for the aging population in the area who would not be able to attend their appointments without assistance, and continued to volunteer there until 2010. She recognizes the same value in Community Thread's other offerings as well: "Our population is aging and we do need something to fill up the empty time..that's why those places are ver important..it gets them out, and that's what we want for our seniors."

Now 92, Dana still volunteers with Community Thread. She does mailings for the Holiday Bureau and participates in senior center activities like dominoes. It is her love of people that keeps her coming back. " I enjoy being with people," Dana comments, "I don't have to know them...I just talk." She says that this is the purpose of Community Thread: "By changing the name to Community Thread, that's what it's all about now..connecting to people...the thread runs throughout the community and connects people".

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas in July Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, July 20 - 8-11 am

Baubles and Bangles Jewelry and Accessory Sale
Thursday, August 15 - 9am-5 pm