Brenda Long Program Director, REM Central Lakes
Grant Recipients, Cub Scouts and 4-H Club

In Herman, Minnesota—a small town of just 400—Brenda Long, Program Director for REM Central Lakes, quietly devotes countless hours of her time to building bonds in the community.

And she is motivating individuals all over town—from the 4-H Club, where she’s helping children learn the 4-H mission of “leadership, citizenship and life skills,” to the Herman Cub Scouts, where she’s making sure Herman’s boys are actively involved in their community. Perhaps Brenda’s most significant gift to her community, however, is the work she puts into Family Fun Day, an annual event that brings together adults and children with developmental disabilities for sports and games. Modeled after the Special Olympics, athletes aged six to 76 compete in events like Frisbee, long jump and ball toss. Winners go home with medals, but every athlete receives a t-shirt, prizes, food and a huge morale boost.

The Cub Scouts and the 4-H Club in Brenda’s community will each receive a $250 grant from The Foundation in honor of her volunteer spirit and hard work.