In the six months since the Glenmore Alumni Association was formed, the organization has already implemented several ideas, with many more simmering on the back burner. An upcoming event, the first annual Rally in the Valley, is its most ambitious yet.
"This is our first attempt at something this size, and we hope to get not only Glenmore alumni but also the communities involved," said Mark Fontaine, Glenmore liaison for the association. "It’s not just a fundraiser; it’s a fun day for all and open to the public."
The motorcycle run kicks off Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m. at the Crookston V.F.W. with registration going until 10 a.m. After enjoying coffee and doughnuts, riders will head out at 10:30 a.m. to the East Grand Forks V.F.W. for food, games and prizes. At 12:30 p.m. they’ll go on to the Thief River Falls Eagles Club F.O.E. where they’ll enjoy more food, games and prizes. They’ll head back to the Crookston V.F.W. at 3:30 p.m., with more activities set to begin at 5 p.m. In addition to food, games and prizes, there will be a silent auction and raffle. Awards will be given for best looking bike and farthest away biker. A dance will begin at 6 p.m.
The registration fee is $25, $10 for riders. For more information and to pre-register, call 1-800-584-9226 and ask for Mark, or visit www.glenmorealumni.org. Jeffrey Schermerhorn, president of the alumni association, is the event coordinator. All proceeds from the event will be used to assist people going through a Glenmore Recovery Center treatment program.
Glenmore Alumni Association
The alumni association was the brainchild of Glenmore Director Kevin Evenson, Fontaine explained.
"It was his vision to have something for Glenmore graduates. He kindled the spark, and I got engaged in it and started making it work," he said. "A lot of people got their lives together at Glenmore and this is a way they can continue showing their appreciation and support the program."
The mission of the association is to promote and support the recovery center and help those in recovery regain stability and normalcy back into their day-to-day lives, Fontaine said. All funds raised go to Glenmore to help current or recently graduated patients with recovery-related activities. Those who have been successful in their recovery efforts also want to set a positive example for just starting on their journey.
"We want to make going through the treatment program and subsequent recovery a more comfortable experience, as pleasant as possible," he said.
So far, the association has planted flowers around the building, the former Sisters of St. Joseph Marywood residence on Highway 2 East; developed a fruit/vegetable garden behind it that patients are free to work on and from which produce will be sold once it’s ready; set up a weekly Alumni Speakers Night every Thursday from 7-8 p.m.; and started an open online chatroom on its website so members can meet up every Thursday from 9-10 p.m. to see who is online and chat. Regular monthly membership meetings are the second Thursday of each month, 6-7 p.m.
Future plans include setting up other events like a family picnic and dances, Fontaine said, and possible scholarships for program graduates who go on to pursue a career in chemical dependency.
"If they’re dedicated enough to go for it, we’d like to give them that extra boost to get them off the ground," he said.
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In the six months since the Glenmore Alumni Association was formed, the organization has already implemented several ideas, with many more simmering on the back burner. An upcoming event, the first annual Rally in the Valley, is its most ambitious yet.
"This is our first attempt at something this size, and we hope to get not only Glenmore alumni but also the communities involved," said Mark Fontaine, Glenmore liaison for the association. "It’s not just a fundraiser; it’s a fun day for all and open to the public."
The motorcycle run kicks off Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m. at the Crookston V.F.W. with registration going until 10 a.m. After enjoying coffee and doughnuts, riders will head out at 10:30 a.m. to the East Grand Forks V.F.W. for food, games and prizes. At 12:30 p.m. they’ll go on to the Thief River Falls Eagles Club F.O.E. where they’ll enjoy more food, games and prizes. They’ll head back to the Crookston V.F.W. at 3:30 p.m., with more activities set to begin at 5 p.m. In addition to food, games and prizes, there will be a silent auction and raffle. Awards will be given for best looking bike and farthest away biker. A dance will begin at 6 p.m.
The registration fee is $25, $10 for riders. For more information and to pre-register, call 1-800-584-9226 and ask for Mark, or visit www.glenmorealumni.org. Jeffrey Schermerhorn, president of the alumni association, is the event coordinator. All proceeds from the event will be used to assist people going through a Glenmore Recovery Center treatment program.
Glenmore Alumni Association
The alumni association was the brainchild of Glenmore Director Kevin Evenson, Fontaine explained.
"It was his vision to have something for Glenmore graduates. He kindled the spark, and I got engaged in it and started making it work," he said. "A lot of people got their lives together at Glenmore and this is a way they can continue showing their appreciation and support the program."
The mission of the association is to promote and support the recovery center and help those in recovery regain stability and normalcy back into their day-to-day lives, Fontaine said. All funds raised go to Glenmore to help current or recently graduated patients with recovery-related activities. Those who have been successful in their recovery efforts also want to set a positive example for just starting on their journey.
"We want to make going through the treatment program and subsequent recovery a more comfortable experience, as pleasant as possible," he said.
So far, the association has planted flowers around the building, the former Sisters of St. Joseph Marywood residence on Highway 2 East; developed a fruit/vegetable garden behind it that patients are free to work on and from which produce will be sold once it’s ready; set up a weekly Alumni Speakers Night every Thursday from 7-8 p.m.; and started an open online chatroom on its website so members can meet up every Thursday from 9-10 p.m. to see who is online and chat. Regular monthly membership meetings are the second Thursday of each month, 6-7 p.m.
Future plans include setting up other events like a family picnic and dances, Fontaine said, and possible scholarships for program graduates who go on to pursue a career in chemical dependency.
"If they’re dedicated enough to go for it, we’d like to give them that extra boost to get them off the ground," he said.
Comprised of inpatient and outpatient graduates from all Glenmore campuses, the association currently has about 50 members with a wide range of years of sobriety under their belts, said Schermerhorn. Some are recent graduates, while others went through the program more than two decades ago.
"It’s a nice mix of ages and people in different stages of recovery, as well as from all walks of life," he said.
Associate memberships are available to those who did not go through the program, such as family members of graduates or people who believe in the association’s mission and want to get involved. Annual dues are $10 for all members and can be sent to Glenmore Alumni Association, C/O Riverview Hospital, 323 S. Minnesota St., Crookston, MN 56716, ATTN: Helen Anderson.
Fontaine stressed that the association is not part of Glenmore Recovery Center, Riverview Health or the Glenmore Foundation. It is also not affiliated with AA / NA or other support programs, although it does encourage alumni to support and utilize these organizations.
The association is still in the process of incorporation as a private non-profit 503(c) organization.
"All this takes money, and we welcome donations in addition to our fundraising efforts," he said.
