MID-COUNTY MESSENGER
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NYA farm family wins $ 2,500 grant from Monsanto
When Duane and Elaine Wolff of Norwood Young America were selected as Monsanto’ s 2011 Grow Communities Program winners, Elaine knew exactly where she wanted to donate her $ 2,500 grant.
“ It wasn’ t hard to decide,” she said, explaining that the Ridgeview Foundation has always had a special place in her heart.
“ I used to work at Ridgeview Medical Center, in the environmental services department,” Elaine said.“ They have a lot of good things going in the community.”
Ridgeview Medical Center has a partnership with Ridgeview Foundation, an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to make a positive difference in the quality of life for people in the community.
One of the foundation’ s recent initiatives was the Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home, which opened in the fall of 2009. Located on Lake Bavaria in Chaska, the end-of-life care facility features private patient suites, a spa room, outdoor patios and gardens, and much more.
Another recent endeavor is the da Vinci Surgical System. Until recently, patients in the west metro needing a prostatectomy or hysterectomy were referred for surgery away from home and family.
Now, Ridgeview will be able to serve them close to home, in six technicallyequipped surgical suites. Through the new robotic platform, surgeons have the ability to work with unparalleled precision, dexterity, and control.
A few other current Ridgeview Foundation projects include a specialty clinic focusing on pediatric integrative medicine, a center for women and children, and a comprehensive heart center.
Hundreds of volunteers have contributed to the foundation’ s success. Current board members include David Adinolfi of Eden Prairie, Jean Buller of Chaska, Dermot Cowley of Watertown, Stacy Desai of Eden Prairie, Laura Flemal of Watertown, Tim Foster of Wayzata, Michael Gresser of Eden Prairie, Katherine Hackett of Excelsior, Darla Holmgren of Waconia, Brian Mark of Excelsior, Peter Nelson of Waconia, Keith Rachey of Waconia, Kate Roehl of Maple Plain, Randy Schneewind of Waconia, Charles Spevacek of Shorewood, and Larry Wilhelm of Victoria. Helping others
Elaine’ s first taste of the medical field was as a nurse’ s aide, before her three daughters were born.
After raising her family, Elaine returned to health care, this time in environmental services at Ridgeview Medical Center.
Her husband Duane, son-in-law
www. midcountycoop. com
Submitted photo
Duane and Elaine Wolff( center) of Norwood Young America won a $ 2,500 grant from Monsanto, which they chose to donate to the Ridgeview Foundation.
Bruce Clark, and grandson Jeremy Meuwissen all work together on the family farm.
Elaine, who is now retired, first heard about the $ 2,500 contest because her family purchases Monsanto products for their family farm.
Monsanto is a company that sells seeds, traits developed through biotechnology, and crop protection chemicals.
Through Monsanto’ s America’ s Farmers Grow Communities Project, the company allowed farmers to register to win $ 2,500 for their favorite community non-profit organization.
One winner was selected in each of 1,204 eligible counties in 38 states.
For every farmer who applied, Monsanto donated $ 1 to the local United Way to help food banks, food pantries, Meals on Wheels, and other charitable organizations dealing with hunger.
To learn more about the program, go to www. growcommunities. com.