The Ann Bickle Heritage House Board of Directors will be honoring Dr. Randy and Jeannie Pederson for their volunteerism on August 26, from 2-4 pm at the ABHH location, 226 E. Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood. The public is invited to attend for coffee and treats, it was announced.

The view coming down the hill still holds the same feeling of awe as it did 41 years ago when the Pederson family moved to Glenwood. 

Early on, Randy and Jeannie said they found that Pope County had a multitude of opportunities to share their time and talents while meeting so many wonderful people along the way.

After meeting as Concordia College Cobbers, Randy and Jeannie began their married life in the Twin Cities where he attended Northwestern College of Chiropractic and she worked as a consumer communications coordinator in the Multifoods test kitchen in downtown Minneapolis. Upon moving to Glenwood, Randy began and continues his career as a chiropractor. A few years later, Jeannie worked through a Family School Program grant as the Family Visitor Coordinator. The Minnewaska Area Schools Parent Involvement Coordinator position followed along with the MAS Youth Coordinator through MAS community education. She now serves as the Pope County Family Collaborative & Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator.

Jeannie and Randy were blessed with children Erik, Andrew, Alexander (Chelsea) and Stephanie. “We appreciate that our children were able to grow up learning the importance of volunteerism in our Pope County community and now do the same where they live,” said Jeannie.

They said they want to thank all those who they’ve had the pleasure to cross paths with while sharing the same passions and hopes for making a difference through projects and services. 

They also expressed gratitude to the Ann Bickle Heritage House Board of Directors for their kindness in acknowledging the volunteer experiences they’ve had and continue to enjoy as a way to give back to the community they love.  

A long tradition of volunteerism

The Pedersons’ past and present individual and/or joint volunteer activities are extensive and some include:

Ann Bickle Heritage House Board of Directors – several terms, lawn mowing (30 years)

Glacial Ridge Hospital Auxiliary – created table décor for salad luncheons (10 years)

Central Square Board of Directors – several terms with one of many standout memories of sleeping overnight on the overhang roof to raise awareness and funds to save it, as did other board members & their spouses

Glenwood Lutheran Church – adult choir, youth choir pianist, Sunday school, confirmation guide and youth group board member

Showstoppers – acting and orchestra

M.O.T.H.E.R.S. Group – Mothers Organized to Help Educate Rural Students

MAHS Prom/Post Prom chaperones – volunteered when their children were young and it was easy to stay up late; and again when they were in high school

Armful of Love

Pope County Men’s Chorus

Glenwood & Beyond

Youth & Adults Achieving Community (YAAC)

Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors (3 years)

Traveling Tree House parade drivers

Hosted a foreign exchange student from Norway for the 2014-2015 school year

Heritage Days – Visiting Queen’s Tea, Miss Minnewaska chaperones

Lake Region Arts Council (3 years)

Sons of Norway – members and newsletter editors (10 years)

Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center Music in the Park & Welcome Committee

Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber & Welcome Center Board Member (3 years)

Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center Advisory Member

Grow Glenwood – Complete Streets Project, amenity zone volunteers

Waterama – Visiting Queens Tea, parade block official, medallion hunt, kiddie and Grande parade participant, pontoon and Grande parade announcers

Dollars for Scholars

BeKind members

Safe Families for Children Leadership Team

United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties – Pope County Community Impact Coalition

HELP (Helping Everyone Live in Peace) Council