The Merrills, recognized at a dinner on September 2 at the Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, demonstrated a passion for helping others and improving their community. They have contributed to the growth and development of Crosslake and surrounding areas by supporting nonprofit organizations and Town of Crosslake operations including the Crosslake Fire Department, Camp Knutson, Community School of Crosslake and the park and the library.

“There are too many charities to mention that have benefited from the generosity of the Merrills,” Karl Samp, executive director of the community foundation, said in a statement. “The Brainerd Lakes and Crosslake areas are better places because of their philanthropic giving. We are honored to nominate them as our 2020-2021 recipients of the Philanthropy Award. “

Additionally, two local women were honored posthumously at the dinner with Legacy Hero Awards. Millie Gjertson and Linnea Anderson both leave a lasting legacy through their generosity, and their donations will continue to support many in need.

Sponsors of the Philanthropy Award include: Anderson Brothers; Ameriprise Financial – Stroot; Schumer & Associates; Arnold S. Johnson Enterprises; Alumni and Foundation of Bemidji State University; Tim & Ann Bergin; Brainerd Family YMCA; Brainerd Lakes Region Economic Development Corporation; Brainerd Lakes Region Women’s Fund; Breen & Nobody LTD; Bremer; Bridges of Hope; Camp Knutson; The center; Central Lakes College Foundation; CliftonLarsonAllen LLP; Close Converse; Clow Stamping Co .; Lutheran Church of Crosslake; Crow wing power; CCT; Davidge and Graumann Wealth Advisory Group; Essentia Health – Saint-Joseph Foundation; Essentia Health – Saint-Joseph Medical Center; Collaboration of family services in the Lake District; Frandsen Bank; Pavilion of the great view; Gull Lake Resort; Joey Halvorson – Photography; Happy Dancing Turtle Foundation & Hunt Utilities Group LLC; Dan Hegstad – Video; Jim Anderson family; Kinship partners; Foundation for the Enrichment of Children of the Lakes Region; Printing lakes; Lee and Penny Anderson; Crazy; Mary and Jim Jetland; Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Mills Automotive Group; Nor-Son Inc .; Northland Arboretum; Pequot Tool & Manufacturing Inc .; The center; The shop; Syvantis Technologies; Trust for public lands; We are the clinic; and Winegar Dental.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation attracts and administers charitable funds to benefit the Brainerd area. Since 1998, the foundation has reached over $ 18.5 million in assets and awarded over $ 7.4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. The foundation is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a collaboration of many community foundations brought together under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize donor impact. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 900 funds totaling nearly $ 201 million. Learn more about communitygiving.org/BLACF.