Area ORGANIZATIONS
Boy Scouts of Americ
Amer ic
ica
a Troop 253
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve
se rve
others by helping to instill values in young people,
p ople, and,
and , in
other
oth
er ways, to pr epare them to make
ma ke ethical choices over
their lifetimes in achieving their full potential.
potential . The values
v alues the
organization strives to instill are based on those founded in
the
th
e Scout Oath and Law.
Dassel-Cokato
Dassel
-Cokato Troop
Tro op 253 welcomes boys ages 11 to 18.
18
There are currently
c urrently about 20 members who meet at 7 p.m.
the second Monday,
Mond ay, and 6 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the
month, at St. John’s
John ’s Education Center.
Cen ter. Anyone
one interested in
joining may contact
contac t Troop Scoutmaster Terry Gabrelcik at
320-286-3288
286-3288.
286-3288
Cokato American Legion Post 209 and Auxiliary
Since its founding in 1919, the American Legion has been
an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the US
military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young
people, and a spokesman for patriotic values. Nearly 2.8
million members make it the nation’s largest veterans group,
with about 15,000 local posts and six foreign countries.
Membership is restricted to men and women who served in
the US military during an offi cial period of confl ict.
Cokato Post 209 was also founded in 1919. Members meet
in the back room of city hall the third Monday of the month
at 7 p.m., except in March and December, when there are
potluck dinners at the city hall at 6:30 p.m. In July there is no
meeting.
Currently, there are 60 members, and new members are
always welcome. Contact John Bergmann at 320-286-2711
for membership information.
The Cokato American Legion Post 209 Auxiliary also meets
the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the main back
room of the city hall. Membership is open to anyone whose
spouse or other family member has served, or is currently
serving in the military. New members are always welcome.
Contact Charlotte Paulson at 320-286-2262 for membership
information.
Cokato Chamber of Commerce
The Cokato Chamber of Commerce meets the fi rst
Tuesday of every month at noon at Cokato City Hall. The
Cokato Chamber is a voluntary association of business
people working to improve the economic and civic vitality
of both their own business/organization and the community
at large.
The chamber-sponsored movie in the park, The Lego
Movie, takes place Friday, Aug. 9.
Offi cers for 2019 are Dorene Erickson, president; Jarod
Seebring, vice president/treasurer; Johanna Ellison, board
member; Judy Mumford-Torrez, board member; Paulie
Johnson, past president; and Teresa Martinson, executive
secretary. Questions or requests for information may be
directed to Teresa Martinson at: [email protected].
Cokato Community Chest
The Cokato Community Chest was founded in 1954, to be
a team of representatives for city organizations that conduct
one citywide fundraiser per year on Columbus Day. Following
fundraising efforts, the board of directors divides collected
funds among the social agencies, both local, and state,
that have requested funds. Because there is an organization
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DASSEL-COKATO VISITORS GUIDE 2019-20
such as the community chest, there is only one do
door-to-door
or-to-door
campaign
camp
aign per year, in October.
The organizers
organi zers meet
me et at the Cokato
C
to City Hall in the spring
and fall. Anyone interested
inter ested in joining may contact Cokato
City Hall for further information.
Cokato Cub Scouts
The purpose of the Cub Scouts is to provide educational
and recreational activities for kindergarten through fi fth-
grade boys. There is a focus on citizenship, as well as learning
skills that the boys will use throughout life.
The pack is made up of boys in kindergarten to fi fth grade.
A monthly meeting of the full pack takes place, and this
includes a fl ag ceremony, a lesson, and, of course, a snack.
Each grade level is known as a den, and also meets
monthly where they learn things in their own group that are
age-appropriate. Some of the great projects the Scouts
do each year are the pinewood derby, building and fi ring
rockets, and camping.
This is great preparation for boys to be prepared for Boy
Scouts, and is also a wonderful way to prepare them for the
challenges of the world.
The Scouts also do community service projects, and are
sponsored by the American Legion.
There is fall recruitment, and information is handed out at
the elementary school.
Cokato-Dassel Lions Club
The Cokato-Dassel Lions are a service-driven organization
serving both the Cokato and Dassel communities. Part of
the largest civic organization in the world, the Lions’ motto is
“We Serve.” There currently are 36 members, who meet two
times a month. The fi rst Monday of each month is the social
meeting, which takes place at the Dassel History Center. The
third Tuesday of each month is the business meeting.
Some of the annual events include the Silent Santa
program, DC High School Scholarship participation, the
Spring Pork Chop Dinner, the pork chop stand at the Corn
Carnival, and supporting citizens through random acts of
kindness.
Current offi cers are: President Gordy Erickson, Secretary
Brian Abrahamson, and Treasurer Mike Lhotka. For more
information, contact any member or visit our Facebook
page, Cokato-Dassel Lions Club.
Cokato-Dassel Rotary Club
The Cokato-Dassel Rotary Club was organized in 1960, with
22 charter members. Currently, there are 28 members who
believe in Rotary International’s motto, “Service above self,”
and its four-way test of ethical standards.
The club meets every Thursday at noon for lunch and a
program at Cokato City Hall.
As a service organization, the club participates in several
youth endeavors, including the STRIVE high school mentor
program, donating bike helmets for the fi rst-grade spring
bike rally, and sponsoring students to participate in various
Rotary leadership programs.
The 2019-20 offi cers are: Jackie Wilson, president; Cathy
Thisius, treasurer; and Dori Kimball, secretary.
For more information on Rotary, including how to become
a member, visit the website at www.cokatodasselrotary.org;
email [email protected]; or fi nd us on Facebook.