A cookie celebration

As a former educator, Mary Larson knows the value of a quality education. That’s why it probably comes as little surprise that she has been pushing people to invest in young minds through the 761 Foundation over the past quarter of a century.
On Friday night, Larson and others representing the foundation recognized 25 years of benefiting Owatonna Schools through a Celebration Cookie Giveaway at the home football game against New Prague. They handed out cookies to all the visitors at the game.
“This is a visibility opportunity for us,” said Larson, who is one of the original board members of the foundation. “It’s a worthy organization.”
The foundation actually started 27 years ago, but it wasn’t until 1994 that it awarded its first mini-grant of $16,000 to the agriculture department at Owatonna High School. Since then, the foundation has given out more than $2 million in mini-grants and an additional $1.5 million in scholarships.
Even though its focus is Owatonna, the foundation’s ag scholarships benefit students in any high school in Steele County. For example, Anthony Manderfeld of Medford High School and Lexie Ignaszewski of NRHEG High School split the $5,000 scholarship this year. In 2018, Ethan Arett of Blooming Prairie High School received the entire scholarship.
The foundation, Larson said, gives out $100,000 in mini-grants each year, though it receives requests usually totaling $200,000. Mini grants fund field trips, literacy programs, labs, books, microscopes, band instruments, workshops and about 30 other programs.
“We feel we are meeting the needs in the schools with programs that can’t be funded in any other way,” Larson said.
She has a rich history in education. She served as a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School before she married a dairy farmer and “that kind of consumed my life,” she said. She also served on the Owatonna School Board for 15 years from 1971-86.
Robert Chladek made a major donation to the school district in 1994. He is credited with being the catalyst for the foundation to become a major funder for students in the community. “Today with the help of Robert Chladek and many other generous individuals, the Foundation’s assets have grown to about $3.7 million,” said Bruce Paulson, chair of the foundation.
In addition to Larson, George Dow and Greg Stroik have served on the foundation board since its inception. Other current board members are Paulson, Mark Dietz, Samona Grubish, Paul Knutson, Mark Sebring, Charlie Herrmann, Barb Judd, Sara McKay and Janet Tippett.
The board recently approved five levels of donor recognition with the smallest level of less than $100. The foundation accepts direct donations at 761Foundation.com/contribute or by mail to 761 Foundation, P.O. Box 974, Owatonna, MN 55060. All contributions are tax deductible.
For Larson, she is thrilled to have a small role in the community’s future through the foundation. “I just have a great sense of pride and satisfaction in helping with education any way I can,” she said. “It’s gratifying to do it, we’re meeting needs that can’t be met any other way.”