Dassel-Cokato Community Guide 2018 | Page 37

also have the opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. To become a member, or for more information, visit http:// pac.dc.k12.mn.us or email [email protected]. Dassel-Cokato Dassel -Cokato Girl Sc Scouts The purpose of the Dassel-Coka Dassel-Cokato Girl Scouts is to provide rovide an envir environment onment for girls gir ls to learn an and explore. There are about 50 members. members The girls gir ls sell products tw twice ice a year, once in September mber and again in January. They also attend day camp in the summer. . There are various t troop, service unit, area, and council events throughout the year open to girls. Anyone interested in joining should check out the website at www.girlscoutsrv.org/. Das -Cokato Kinship Caregivers Dassel-Cokato Support Group This group brings together grandparents and other relatives who are raising their grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. It is a time to discuss struggles and celebrations in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion is based on current concerns of participants and may include topics such as managing children’s behavior, addressing issues with adult children, frustration with having to alter life plans, and unexpected joys discovered through the journey. Kinship Caregivers meets monthly (September-May) at Cokato Elementary, and is facilitated by a licensed social worker. Call [phone] to learn more about this opportunity. Dassel Lamplighters 4-H Club The Dassel Lamplighters 4-H Club typically meets the fi rst Sunday of each month at the Dassel Covenant Church (lower level) at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise scheduled. Special meetings take place at Dassel Lakeside Apartments in June to assist planting fl owers, and in December with a holiday activity. The club also participates with other Meeker County clubs in Share the Fun each spring. Club members are encouraged to be involved in county-wide activities and community service projects. An annual community service project is Adopt A Highway. The Dassel Lamplighters currently has 25 members, ranging in age 6 to 18. New members are welcome to join at any time. For more information, contact Nancy Bonnifi eld at [phone], or Melissa Weckwerth at [phone]. You can also call the Meeker County Extension Offi ce at (320) 693- 5275. Dassel-Cokato Early Childhood Dassel-Cokato Early Childhood is a program of Dassel- Cokato Community Education, specifi cally designed for families with children ages birth to 5 (not yet in kindergarten). Dassel Cokato Early Childhood is responsible for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes and special events, School Readiness Play and Learn Preschool, and Early Childhood Screening. Play and Learn Preschool is proud to be a 4-Star Parent Aware-rated program. Classes for 4-year-olds take place at Dassel Elementary and Cokato Elementary. The Early Childhood Center hosts preschool classes for 3-year-olds, and ECFE classes for families with children ages birth to 5, not yet in kindergarten . The Early Childhood Center, located on the northwest corner of the Dassel-Cokato High School/Middle School campus, is home to a beautiful, fenced playground. Families with young children are welcome to enjoy the playground anytime. For more information, visit ecfe.dc.k12.mn.us. ecfe.dc.k12.mn.us Dassel Da ssel Community Chest The he Dassel Das sel Community Chest was founded in 1959, 19 to collect funds and distribute them em to local and regional charities. The annual community chest drive is in October each year. There are 12 board members in the th e organization, organ ization, which meets in October and January J ary at the Dassel Hist History Center. . Offi cers include: Carol Tritbaugh, president; and Lois Anderson, secretary/treasurer. Anyone interested in becoming a board member or with questions may call [phone]. Dassel Cub Scouts Pack 253 The aim of Cub Scouting is to help boys grow into good citizens who are strong in character and personally fi t. This is why we say that Cub Scouting is “fun with a purpose.” Every Cub Scout is a member of a Cub Scout pack, divided into smaller g roups, called dens. Each den has about six to eight boys. All of the Cub Scouts in a den are about the same age. Much of the fun happens right in the den and pack. The den usually meets one to two times a month, and the pack meets once a month. At den meetings and pack meetings, Cub Scouts do different things for fun and learning. While having fun, Scouts also earn badges and awards. Cub Scouts also participate in summer day camp and resident camp. Scouts is for boys in kindergarten through fi fth grade, or 5 to 11 years old. Dassel Cub Scouts meet at Dassel City Hall. Anyone interested in joining may contact Miranda Stocker [phone]. Dassel American Legion Post 364 36 The Dassel American Legion, Paul F. Dille Post 364 was originally inally formed in 1920, and was named in honor of Paul F. Dille, a local man who became the fi rst war-time fatality from Dassel. He was killed at the battle of Bellequ Woods in World War I. Throughout the 97 years since, the Post has dedicated itself to helping veterans of all of the subsequent wars, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Our dedication to the needs of veterans includes help in transportation to veteran hospitals, and volunteer work and donations to The Eagle’s Healing Nest located in Sauk Center, which deals with veterans who are struggling with post traumatic stress syndrome. Our local involvement includes assisting with an Honor Guard during the funeral service of deceased members of the Armed Services, and conducting old fl ag disposal. The Legion Post is also actively involved with sponsoring local high school students to both Boys State and Girls State, and assistance with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, an organization that helps veterans within Meeker County who are returning from overseas deployment. In conjunction with the Meeker County Service Offi ce, these veterans are given fi nancial assistance for needs such as housing and utilities, or help in fi nding jobs. We also collect food for the local Dassel Food Shelf. The Dassel Post 364 meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Dassel Historical Center. All veterans who have served in the US Armed Forces during specifi ed war times are encouraged to join us. Offi cial Guide to Dassel-Cokato 2018-19 37