2024 ANNUAL REPORT Volunteer Presenter
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Members, Friends, Volunteers, and Donors of FiftyNorth,
Kerry Hjelmgren, Executive Director
I am deeply grateful and proud as I reflect on all that we accomplished together in 2024. FiftyNorth continues to thrive as a vibrant hub for adults age 50 and older in our community. It has proven to be a place where opportunities for wellness, learning, creativity, and connection come to life every day. In 2024, Elaine and our team of receptionists welcomed 402 new members, bringing our total membership to a record high of 2,161! Whether members joined us for fitness classes at FiftyNorth, on Zoom, or at a local senior living facility, came for a swim in the warm water pool, attended a lifelong learning group, took a walk through the art gallery, made music, played cards, or enjoyed a cup of coffee and good conversation, each new face added something special to our shared community. We have fully embraced our updated mission: through programs and services that promote healthy aging and whole-
person well-being, we inspire, empower, and enrich a community of active, engaged, and connected adults north of age 50. Our program coordinators are dedicated to making our mission a reality every single day: Craig Swenson coordinates fitness and wellness programming; Patty Ciernia coordinates life-long learning programming and community outreach; and Michelle Brant coordinates arts programming, volunteers, and dining. Between the three of them, they offer over 500 opportunities for members to participate in FiftyNorth activities every month! Throughout the year, we saw meaningful growth in our programming – especially social events. Our members enjoyed a Vintage Fashion Show, a high tea, a 1960’s themed dance, and a special car show! We also launched the 'Collection Connection', an opportunity for people to share their collections and display them at FiftyNorth. This has brought people together through their shared interests and memories. One of our proudest programming accomplishments in 2024 has been our partnership with The Remember Project,
Membership (12/31/24)
2,161 2024 SCHOLARSHIPS
Total Center Uses in 2024
FiftyNorth awarded free membership scholarships to 110 individuals in 2024.
Uses by Non-Members in 2024
Total value: $49,132
115,138 4,605 Brand new members who joined in 2024
326
a program of Trellis. Their expert team shared poignant theatrical performances to highlight the experiences of individuals diagnosed with dementia and their families. After each performance, Trellis facilitated a community conversation about dementia, the caregiver experience, and resources for support. FiftyNorth received funding from Age Friendly Northfield and grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services with Family Service Rochester to bring The Remember Project to Northfield. We hope to partner with Trellis again in the future to continue to engage our members in meaningful conversations about dementia. FiftyNorth also received a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to support our five music programs: the FiftyNorth Band, Seasoned Singers, Troubadours, Eclectic Strummers, and the Chime Choir. Our music groups showcased their talents throughout the 2024 holiday season. Funding was made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Of course, none of this would be possible
without the hard work and heart of our staff and volunteers. This year, more than 200 volunteers gave their time to FiftyNorth, and our dedicated staff made each day run smoothly and meaningfully. Our staff at the Used-A-Bit Shoppe, Manager Dolores Kornkven and Assistant Manager Deb Olien, worked hard with their dedicated volunteers to raise over $85,000 to fund FiftyNorth programs and operations. Lesley Weirich, our Popcorn Wagon Coordinator, retired after nine amazing years of service. Popcorn Wagon volunteers raised just over $9,000 to fund our operations. They sold popcorn and beverages at the wagon on Bridge Square all summer long, and, for the first time, the Popcorn Wagon attended special events at both St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges! In addition, we are so grateful to our donors who really came through for FiftyNorth in 2024. Our annual fund drive goal was to raise $115,000 to support operations and scholarships. We received a record total of $132,763, thanks to our 431 donors who went above and beyond! Their generous donations have enhanced the experience of our members and removed financial barriers to membership. continued
Used-A-Bit Shoppe sales Total Land Fitness Uses
62,549
contributed $87,098 in support of the center
Total Aqua Fitness Uses
31,697 Total Fitness Uses by Zoom
6,175
Popcorn Wagon
earned $9,187 profit for
the center
continued from p3 FiftyNorth is committed to ensuring that all older adults in our community have access to membership regardless of ability to pay. In 2024, over $49,000 was provided in membership scholarships to 110 people in need. Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited to complete several capital improvement projects to better meet the needs of our growing membership: Updating both locker rooms to improve
safety, increase privacy, and maximize the usefulness of the space (scheduled for August)
Redesigning and reorganizing the lobby
(meetings begin in May)
OUR MISSION Through programs and services that promote healthy aging and whole-person well-being, we inspire, empower, and enrich a community of active, engaged, and connected adults north of age 50.
OUR VISION FiftyNorth is a vibrant, essential, and collaborative organization that enhances the quality of life and sense of purpose of older adults.
Replacing the sauna with a larger and more
efficient model (scheduled for August)
Replacing the flexible walls between
classrooms 104/106 and 103/105 to make them soundproof (currently collecting bids)
Installing modern technology in our
classrooms for classes and meetings (currently collecting bids).
We look forward to making these important improvements to the facility to make the FiftyNorth member experience better than ever. On our annual member survey, we always ask our members how FiftyNorth enhances their quality of life. This year, one of our members shared: “I’ve learned new skills, and strengthened ones I already had. I’ve made new friends. I feel comfortable and happy at FiftyNorth.” Our goal is to create and foster experiences like these for all of our members in 2025! Kerry Hjelmgren Executive Director, FiftyNorth
OUR VALUES As an organization, FiftyNorth Leadership values: SERVICE EXCELLENCE: Being of significant benefit to members, the community, and our partners. INCLUSION: Welcoming and treating all with respect and embracing diversity. STEWARDSHIP: Being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible. VOLUNTEERISM: Engaging volunteers in meaningful roles and opportunities that are vital to FiftyNorth and the greater community. COLLABORATION: Pursuing and exploring new information, ideas, and partnerships.
FI NA N C IA L R E S ULT S ($ in thousands)
2021
2022
2023
2024
Membership (December 31)
1,628
1,705
2,111
2,161
INCOME
2021
2022
2023
2024
Fund Drive
116
98
116
129
Grants & Other Contributions
60
33
146
59
-
65
Membership Dues
230
277
334
346
Program Fees
56
112
129
125
Sales
266
294
307
298
COVID Grants
329
Total Operating Revenue
1057
879
1032
957
Estate Gifts
EXPENSES
2021
2022
2023
2024
Personnel
418
495
562
573
Contractors & Professional Fees
103
154
130
159
Occupancy
213
235
253
258
Program Expenses
7
27
38
49
Depreciation
50
37
37
34
Other
52
87
87
82
Total Expense
843
1,035
1,107
1,155
Net Operating Gain (loss)
214
(156)
(75)
(198)
Investment Gain (loss)
242
(314)
333
310
Net Income, including investment gain (loss)
456
(470)
258
112
BA L A N C E S H E E T ($ in thousands) ASSETS
2021
Current Assets including Investments Net Property & Equipment Total Assets
Liabilities & Net Assets
2022
2023
2024
2,893
2,887
3,176
3,308
194
142
133
152
3,087
3,029
3,309
3,460
2021
2022
2023
2024
Liabilities
78
96
118
140
Net Assets
3,402
2,933
3,191
3,320
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
3,480
3,029
3,309
3,460
2024 results are unaudited
2024 DONORS BRONZE | $1 - $199 Lois Bakko Carol Emery John & Margaret Ernste Delores Gustafson Karen Achberger Bernard & Mary Auge Lyle & Corby Bakken Peter Beck Bruce Benson Rose Berthelsen Gary & Patty Bleichner Tom & Mary Boylen Rita Brand Al & Jean Bronnenberg Gene & Darlene Broughton Judeen Brown Susan Dunhaupt & Dick Brown Quinten & Emily Burt Chucks Madhav & Jane E Carlson Clark & Lois Cary Ronald & Ginny Chatlos Bill & Nancy Child Bernice Christensen Lynn Clayton Linda Collette Jim Colwell Eileen Cooper Roger Couture Robert & Gail Craig Don & Mary Crook Cleve Crowningshield Dirk & Marilyn Danks Peterson Daniel & Carrie Dauner Gary & Connie DeGrote Darla DeLong Mary Denison David & Sharon Detert Patsy Dew Sharon Ellsworth Nina Errington James Estrem Edward (Ted) Farmer Michael & Terry Ferrise Rosemary Fink Burton Fleming Bruce & Mary Kay Forland Richard Fott Jeanette Gilbertson Sheilah Giles Leota Goodney Becky Boling & Doug Green Dennis Grinde Kevin Groebner & Sue Harvey James & Marilynn Gryc Helene Haapala
Natalie Hale Erling & Connie Halverson Bruce & Carol Hamilton Dorothy Hammer Robert & Barbara Hanisch Liz Hankins Charles & Anita Hellie Linda Henderson Sharon Henry Shirley Herreid Barbara Herzog Steven & Claire Hill Kay Hinzman Mary Ho John & Nancy Holte Torild Homstad Linda Irrthum Robert & Beverly Jacobsen John Jarvis Barbara Jenkins William & Patricia Jenkinson Margaret (Peg) Jennings Richard Johnson Ruth Johnson-Wirth Eric & Kari Johnsrud Walter & Connie Jones Steve & Ann Jorstad Vinay Khanna Kenneth & Marlena Kirton Marsha Kitchel Dennis & Arlene Kjar Ken Klimisch Julie Klock Ben & Colleen Klotz James Knezz James & Kay Koch James & Kay Kohl Marv & Rose Kormann Terry Krampitz Neidra Krebs Douglas & Patricia Kriesel Larry & Ann Larson John & Laurie Larson Carol Lawrence Douglas & Carol Lennartson Ione Lorch Deb Loy Beverly Lubbers Charlene Lucken Glen & Linda Lundell Nina Mangelsen Alvina Marek Janet Mathews Donna & Jim May James & Angie Mayr Brynda McCoy Janet McGrath
Tim & Marian McKone Diane Melbye Elaine Meyers Barbara Miller Bruce & Audrey Moe Robert Moore Leslie Moore Susan Mulvihill Cecilia Mylerberg Bill & Pat Nelson Joyce Nicolai Richard & Tammy Nodland Naomi Nohava Karen Nord Sue Norsted Larna Novak Robert & Sandra Nyvall Charles & Christine Skinner Tom Oleson Laura A Olson Leona Openshaw Mark Ostgarden Laurie Otte Dorothy Palmquist Parker Joan Paulson Robert Peasley Charles & Deney Perkins Gary & Bonnie Peterson Sandy Pieri Robert & Nancy Pierson Judith Pinc Mark & Mary Polzin Howard Puczko Bernice Pulju Qixian Qian Robert & Edie Quam Rhonda Reece Wendell Refior & Marla Welsford Steve & Barb Reindal Ramona Revne Patricia Rezac Barbara Rippley Sandra Robertson Gary & Donna Rock Jan Roetzel Dee Rogers Carol Rutz Jerry Sackmaster Marie Schlink Dean Schoeb Nancy Schumacher & Jim Sipe Peggy Sell Shirley Shaft Mark & Patty Shaw
Robert & Rebecca Bonnie Sherman John Simek Joyce Skaar Laura Skluzacek Carol Slater Donald & Corrine Slaughter Elsie Slinger Kay Smith Shannon Spahr Linda Stanton Effie Stein Sandra Strachan Alice Strom Lee Swanson Gerald Taylor Julian Trangsrud John & Vicky Tripp Anne Ulmer Dan Underwood Marlene Vanasek Edward & Colleen Vitek Linda Wagenbach Charles Wagner Martha Wallace Cinda Weber Bob & Lucy Wells Rose Werner Lowell Miller & Kathy Wiertsema-Miller David & Linda Wolf Jeff Wood Stephen & Colleen Zastrow Michael & Letti Zenner Jay & Rachel Zoller
SILVER $200 - $499 Dave & Mitzi Ackerman Bradley Anderson Dianne Barrett Marie Benson Charles Black & Barbara Bofenkamp Sharon Boisselle George & Catherine Brophy Judy Broske Kay Brown Mary Brown Neil & Marilyn Deden Winnie Drentlaw Chris Ellison Jon & Phyllis Finger David & Vicky Follansbee Stephanie Frey
2024 DONORS SILVER (continued) Gerry & Carol Gengenbach Marie Gery Mac & Jacquelyn Gimse Ross & Sandra Griffin Barbara Hanson Reid & Gail Hendershot Carl Henry Kerry Hjelmgren Bob & Pat Hohertz Phyllis Hullett Muriel Inouye Richard & Donna Jackson Georgene Johnson Gerald Johnson Pat Johnson Brent Johnston Patricia Jorstad Joni Kilde Leif & Debora Knecht Daryl Knudsen Myron Lanoue Steve Albers & Cathy Larson Tom & Nancy Loesch Michael & Heidi Magnuson Russ & Lynn Margulies Carol Marshall Janell Martin Ruth McCarty Mike & Ann McGovern Todd & Sue Middleton Janet Mitchell Boris & Joyce Mokoff Neil Lutsky & Irene Montenegro Dale Ness Kenneth Lee & Donald Onsgard Raymond & Mary Ozmun Roberta Peterson John & Chris Pogue John & Karen Robison Arland & Mary Schwake Susan Sheridan Shelley Silkey Corinne Simonson Kenneth & Sharon Steinhouse Joanne Stohl Vic & Dot Swanson Craig Swenson Curt Swenson Allan & Nancy Swenson Robert & Patricia Tabery Rich & Kathie Taranto Bruce Thomas Dale & Rose Turnacliff
Patricia Warner Krista Wilkowske
GOLD $500-$999 Gene & Susan Bauer Diane Boyum Warren & Karen Broughton JoAnn Edwardsen Beth Endert Christopher & Joan Ennis Alene Fink Charlene Gernon Bonnie Gretz Dennis & Janet Hahn Sam & Patricia Johnson Tom Turgeant & Carla Johnson Brent Betterley & Nancy Just JoAnn Kleber Anne Klinefelter Jean Larson Gail Lewis Greg Loek & Kathleen Rice Richard & Donna Maus Allene Moesler Norma Monroe Roberta Persons Lee & Kitty Runzheimer Carolyn Sanford Marie Frederickson & John Schnorr Jan Shoger Jerry & Jane Skluzacek Dan & Linda Stadler Daryl Stokesbary Erwin & Judy Ulrich Robert & Donna Vanderhoof Marilyn Will
PLATINUM $1000+ Ann Albert Richard & Wendy Allen David Appleyard Nancy Ashmore & Kenneth Wedding Robert & Teresa Ballentine Dennis & Beth Berry Judith Bond Bob & Lin Bruce Jim Bull William & Charlotte Carlson Jim & Judy Cederberg Steve & Patty Ciernia Tim & Carol Cowles Bill & Laurie Cowles
Edward & Mary Emery Gene & Margaret Enders Joyce Francis Karen Gervais Katherine Hanson Pat Lamb Estate Naurine Lennox William & Callista Meyer Julie Morton Elizabeth Olson Roger & Diane Randall Susan Roosenraad Anne Schulz Stephen & Nancy Silcox Shelley Strobel Judith Tarabek Harley Tate Sandra Titus Timothy & Jean Vick Glenn & Marcia Wills Phil & Thelma Winter
2024 SUSTAINING DONORS Karen Achberger David Appleyard Nancy Ashmore & Kenneth Wedding Bernard & Mary Auge Lois Bakko George & Catherine Brophy Judy Broske Gene & Darlene Broughton Warren & Karen Broughton Mary Brown Bernice Christensen Eileen Cooper Neil & Marilyn Deden Winnie Drentlaw JoAnn Edwardsen Chris Ellison Carol Emery Beth Endert Stephanie Frey Marie Gery Mac & Jacquelyn Gimse Dorothy Hammer Liz Hankins Kerry Hjelmgren Richard & Donna Jackson Georgene Johnson Ruth Johnson-Wirth Steve & Ann Jorstad Patricia Jorstad Gary & Arlene Kruse Myron Lanoue Tom & Nancy Loesch Janet Mathews James & Angie Mayr Mike & Ann McGovern Elaine Meyers Neil Lutsky & Irene Montenegro Bill & Pat Nelson Elizabeth Olson Roberta Persons Carol Rutz Kenneth & Sharon Steinhouse Craig Swenson Allan & Nancy Swenson Judith Tarabek Dale & Rose Turnacliff Anne Ulmer Linda Wagenbach Patricia Warner
2024 Valentine Dinner
2024 Summer Picnic
2024 Volunteer Appreciation The Remember Project (Dementia Theatre)
'Alive-n-Kickin' Performance
FiftyNorth and its programs are made possible in part through financial contributions by the City of Northfield.
FRONT DESK RECEPTION STAFF: Pam Toepper, JoAnn Edwardsen, Brenda Bultman, Jane Persons, Pat Nelson, Beth Endert, Bonnie DuPay, Cathy Graff
FiftyNorth, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield MN 55057 | fiftynorth.org | (507) 664-3700
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Senior Board Chair: Kathie Taranto Vice Chair: Karen Gervais Secretary: Nancy Ashmore Treasurer: George Brophy Past President: Pat Jorstad Directors Kay Brown Richard DeBeau Carla Johnson Jerry Johnson Leif Knecht Naurine Lennox Susan Oftedahl Charles Skinner
2024 STAFF Director: Kerry Hjelmgren Assistant Director/Fitness Coordinator: Craig Swenson Operations and Membership Manager: Elaine Meyers Program Coordinator: Lifelong Learning/ Community Outreach Patty Ciernia Program Coordinator: Arts/Volunteer/Dining Michelle Brant Used-A-Bit Shoppe Manager: Dolores Kornkven Used-A-Bit Shoppe Assistant Manager: Deb Olien Popcorn Wagon Coordinator: Lesley Weirich Bookkeeper: Andrea Turini Front Desk Reception Staff (see above)