Bemidji's Let's Go Fishing with Seniors wins local Touchstone Energy Community Award

Bemidji, Minn - Beltrami Electric Cooperative named Let's Go Fishing with Seniors, of Bemidji, as the winner of the local 2023 Touchstone Energy® Community Award. The prestigious accolade recognizes organizations making remarkable contributions to their local communities. Angela Lyseng, Communications Specialist at Beltrami Electric Cooperative, emphasized the significant impact of Let's Go Fishing with Seniors, stating, "They demonstrate a strong commitment to community that we at Beltrami Electric value highly."

Let's Go Fishing with Seniors, launched in Bemidji in 2003 with the assistance of Alan and Judy Killian, holds a mission close to its heart: bringing nature's healing and well-being to seniors, veterans, and the disabled. Inspired by a vision to give back to those who have given so much, the Killians, former owners of GoldPine Home in Bemidji, established the local chapter to help senior residents of care facilities experience the joy of fishing. Initially focused on seniors, the program has evolved over the years to embrace a wider audience, including youth, veterans, hospice patients, churches, families, and more. One of the program's notable features is a handicap-accessible pontoon that accommodates wheelchairs, enabling participants to enjoy fishing trips and excursions on Lake Bemidji. Let's Go Fishing with Seniors operates with the dedication of over 45 trained volunteers. The program's success is a testament to the vibrant engagement it has fostered within the Bemidji and surrounding communities.

Beltrami Electric Cooperative actively sought candidates for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the local community. The award comes with an engraved Touchstone Energy® Community Award plaque and a $1,000 donation to the organization's efforts.