02 Broadcaster Press May 13, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com Meet Mary Berglin By David Lias david.lias@plaintalk.net A banquet audience of over 200 people gave Mary Berglin, long-time volunteer director of the Vermillion Food Pantry, a standing ovation Wednesday evening, May 7, as she was presented the 2014 Community Health Service Award by the Dakota Hospital Foundation. The presentation was made at the foundation’s annual leadership dinner, held at the Muenster University Center on the University of South Dakota campus. “I’m just a little overwhelmed,” Mary said as she briefly addressed the banquet audience. She offered thanks to both the foundation for honoring her, and to the many volunteers who have assisted her at the Vermillion Food Pantry. Many of them were present to witness Mary receiving the award. Mary began working at the food pantry, which is located at Trinity Lutheran Church, in 1989 while also serving as a church deacon and as “Book Lady” at the Vermillion Public Library. In 1994, she became the food pantry’s director – a volunteer role that she has held until her retirement this year. Also present at the banquet was Mary’s husband, Dwight, her brother, Gene, and his wife, Annie, from Sioux Falls, and one of the Berglins’ three grown children. Comfortable Shoes Slip On or Lace In Black or Brown Boston Shoes• 665-9092 to Boots 312 W. 3rd • Yankton “Everywhere I’ve been going in the last couple months, people want to know, ‘who’s running the food pantry? ‘Who is the food pantry director?’ What’s going on?’” Mary answered those questions by calling on food pantry volunteers seated throughout the MUC ballroom to stand. “Because of your generosity, you are running the food pantry,” she said. “These are some of the team members, and because of the generosity of the teams taking over different jobs that I had, I have been able to retire … I’m very thankful to all of you.” Mary Merrigan, director of the Dakota Hospital Foundation, said the foundation board “wishes to recognize an individual who chose to make a personal commitment and dedication to the health of Mary Berglin (left) is presented 2014 Dakota Hospital Foundation Community Health Service Award by foundation board member Linda Kogel. (Photo by David Lias) the community.” She added that Mary “more than meets our criteria.” Merrigan noted that the Vermillion Food Pantry was begun on a very small scale in 1989 by Trinity Lutheran Church. The pantry’s facilities at that time were just one shelf and one cupboard in the church kitchen. “That year, they fed 34 people,” Merrigan said. “Mary Berglin’s first experience working with the food pantry was in TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “Mary Berglin was there through all the growth and changes. “Mary was there, working side by side with her board of directors and her volunteers, doing what needed to be done,” she said. In the food pantry’s early years, its staff consisted of two people – one person who filled food sacks, and a second person who distributed them. “Under Mary’s n BERGLIN, Page 10 Hartington Tree LLC “The Line To Power” Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching Serving the Beresford and Vermillion Areas 1989 through her role on the board of deacons at Trinity. A few years later, although her term of assignment was up, Mary decided to stay on, and in 1994, she officially became the volunteer director of the Vermillion Food Pantry. That year, 748 persons were served.” Over the years, the Vermillion Food Pantry has moved several times within the Trinity Lutheran Church building, “each time expanding into a larger area for their growing needs,” Merrigan said. 1-800-560-2518 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING TREES FOR SALE EVERGREEN • SHADE • ORNAMENTAL Yankton 605-260-1490 Hartington 402-254-6710 Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE for 20 Years IMMEDIATE OPENINGS OAKWOOD APARTMENTS HEINE Electric and Irrigation •AFFORDABLE RENT ADJUSTMENT FOR YOUR INCOME •LARGE 2 AND 3 BEDROOM RENTAL UNITS •STOVE, REFRIGERATOR & AIR CONDITIONING •OFF-STREET PARKING AND PLUG-INS •UTILITIES INCLUDED •ON-SITE COIN LAUNDRY •PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT & SAND BOX •3 BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS (605) 624-9557 EQUAL HOUSING KNUTSON Irrigation sales and service Dental Excellence for Children & Adults Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed Well Drilling – Domestic and Irrigation Pump Installation Cosmetic • Implants General Practice •Single Visit Crowns Braces For Adults & Children •Invisalign HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30 1714 East Cherry Street, Vermillion 605.624.6291 Tuesday June 3rd!! RE-ELECT—JOHN “JACK” POWELL FOR MAYOR OF VERMILLION YES! Experienced & Proven Leader! YES! Involved & Dedicated to Community! YES! Committed to Progress! YES! Fair, Trusted, & Respected! YES! Available & Accessible! YES! Thoughtful Decision Maker! YES! Forward Thinking! YES! Open to Ideas! YES! Extensive Knowledge of City! YES! Representing & Working for YOU! YES! Vermillion Recognized as 2014 Community of the Year! Paid for by Jack Powell for Mayor Committee 31275 463rd St. • Vermillion, SD 57069 FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Richard Knutson Dr. Matthew Knutson Grain Hauling Manure Hauling Crushed Concrete MAY 18TH OPPORTUNITY send cards to: ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK. FREE ESTIMATES. Tree & Concrete Removal Site Clearing Ditch Cleaning CARD SHOWER FOR FERN KNUTSON’S 85TH BIRTHDAY! 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