Tusen Tack wins Touchstone Energy Community Award
Non-profit store recognized for making a difference in the community
BRAHAM, Minn. -- East Central Energy's selection committee picked Tusen Tack, a second-hand clothing and appliance store in Braham, Minn., to receive the third annual ECE Touchstone Energy Community Award. Dorothy Johnson, the store's treasurer, accepted the award and ECE's donation of $250.
East Central Energy sought candidates for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to the local community. "This area is blessed with many individuals, groups and corporate citizens that are willing to donate time and effort to better our community," says Garry Bye, ECE's president/CEO. "We are pleased that as a Minnesota Touchstone Energy cooperative, we have this opportunity to recognize those who help make our communities great places to live."
Created owned and operated by volunteers, Tusen Tack's mission is to provide reasonable-priced clothing and small items to the community. All profits go back to the community through its support of Braham Food Shelves, Hospice programs in Kanabec, Isanti, Pine and Chisago counties, The Ministerial Association, Salvation Army, veterans' organizations and the police.
"Tusen Tack touches the entire community," says Dorothy Johnson. "Volunteers are touched because they have a special purpose and their work provides plenty of social interaction. All the good this organization does has a long-lasting impact because it continues to serve the community."
Tusen Tack's award application will be submitted to compete for the statewide Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award. The statewide award recipient will be selected from approximately twenty local award winners throughout Minnesota. The winner will receive $1,000 to go toward a community cause of choice. The Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award will be presented to the award recipient in February, during the Minnesota Rural Electric Association's annual meeting in St. Paul.
East Central Energy
www.eastcentralenergy.com is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 56,000 homes, farms and businesses in east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. ECE also provides Internet and long distance services.
Photo caption: Tusen Tack volunteers shown are, from left, front row: Phyllis Londgren, Dorothy J. Johnson, Jim Hieb, Lucy Nelson, Lucy Malmquist. Row two: Dorothy R. Johnson, Jane Moyer, Geri Hieb, Rosa Hart, Arlys Wermager, Violet Palmer, Fran Carson, Lucile Studt, Stella Bobo, Naomi Larson. Row three: Gerda Scheele, Maxine Hallin, Ester Olson, Pat Cerny, Penny Dart, Dorothy Schemmelman.
