In the fall of 1965, Barb Bot was a young mother and wife of local pharmacist Al Bot.
Multiple times a year, she would receive knocks at the door from individuals collecting for various local charities.
She thought Luverne residents would benefit from only one annual fundraising campaign organized by a committee to decide who should benefit from the local donations.
Fifty years ago, with just an idea, Bot gathered a group of 18 interested citizens at the Lamberton’s Café on Luverne’s Main Street, and the Rock County Red Arrow was formed and has been actively fundraising ever since.
Rock County Red Arrow kicks off its 50th year on Oct. 1 with a goal to raise $50,000 for 29 area agencies. The campaign ends Oct. 10.
Current Red Arrow chairperson Dianne Ossenfort said the group’s original diverse membership is one reason for its longevity.
“We have a little bit from all walks of life,” she said.
Dr. Paul Rud said he joined the original group in 1965 as a representative from the medical community.
Other members were bankers, a lawyer, a clergyman, business owners and managers, farmers, retailors, manufacturers and stay-at-home moms.
Bot said she thought it was simply in people’s nature to support their neighbors. “This is such an active community and very supportive,” Bot said. “Red Arrow was such a big deal.”
Funds from the Red Arrow drive continue to finance charities in the health field, children or both.
Currently receiving Red Arrow funds are American Diabetes Association of Minnesota, American Red Cross (Southwest Minnesota chapter), ATLAS of Rock County, Backpack Program, Big Buddies, Boy Scouts of America (Sioux Council), Child Guide Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Minnesota Chapter), Habitat for Humanity (Southwest Minnesota), Helping Hands Pregnancy Chapter, Home Delivered Meals, LifeScape Foundation (formerly Children’s Care Hospital and School), Luverne Senior Citizens Center, Luverne Street Music, Mary Jane Brown Intergenerational Program, Minn-Ia-Kota Girl Scouts, Multiple Sclerosis (Minnesota Chapter), National Ataxia Foundation, Rock County Opportunities, Rock County Relay for Life, A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, Salvation Army, Sanford Luverne Hospice, Southwest Crisis Center, Southwest Youth Services, Special Olympics, USO and Volunteers In Mercy.
Since Red Arrow began, Red Arrow organizers have replaced the door-to-door fundraising campaigns with a direct mail effort along with individual businesses and agencies enhancing the group’s efforts by informing their employees about Red Arrow’s efforts and also giving donations.
Red Arrow’s name was suggested by one of the founding members and the name stuck, Rud said.
Besides Bot and Rud, others making up the original Red Arrow committee included Albert Christianson, Magnus Christianson, Jim Cinkle, Dick Creeger, Don Dennis, the Rev. Wayne Hoffman, Lydia Holm, Robert Keitel, Loretta Kontz, Al McIntosh, Betsy Murphy, Don Renfro, William Rowe, Evelyn Stager, Carmen Suurmeyer and Marlyn Vollmer. Ray Frick served as chairman.
Fifty years ago Red Arrow gave to the following agencies: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Cancer Fund (University of Minnesota), Children’s Home Society of Minnesota, Girl Scouts, Heart Fund, Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minnesota Association of Retarded Children, Minnesota Society for Crippled Children and Adults and Salvation Army.
For more information about Red Arrow or to make a donation, contact Ossenfort at (507) 283-9050.