Reclaim Community raises over $8,000


Reclaim Community raised $8,500 for the Jasper School during Quartziter Days through a variety of activities.
They served over 300 people during their meal Friday night. The pork loin for the meal was donated by Brian Schneider and Pipestone Livestock and root beer for root beer floats was donated by Pepsi Bottling, according to Elicia Kortus, Reclaim Community president.

Joe Carlson and Scott Enger (l-to-r, in front with beers in hands) served as the pace setters for Reclaim Community’s “All Fun and No Run” event Saturday afternoon during Quartziter Days in Jasper. About 85 people participated in the 0.5k Quartzsiter “run” around the block on which the Jasper school sits, raising funds for Reclaim’s efforts to repair the school. Carlson and Enger were the most enthusiastic of the participants, donning the school colors and leading the group in pre-race stretches. Pipestone Publishing photo by Kyle Kuphal

The inaugural .5K had 75 participants and several sponsors who helped cover the cost of the event. L.G. Everist, Stoney Point Recreation and Campground in Lake Benton, Skyberg Construction, Coborn’s and Hank’s and alumni Jim Haugan and Jim Hoyme made individual donations.
“We had some new volunteers help with the set up and organization for this event and it was great for our first effort,” Kortus said. “We had lots of positive comments. It sounded like everyone had a great time, and the lawn in front of the school is such a great gathering place with all the shade trees. We definitely plan to do it again, and have some fun ideas to add to the next one.”
A procrastinator prize package is still available on the Quartzsiter 0.5K registration page for people who were unable to attend the event. People can purchase the prize pack which includes a limited edition 2018 T-shirt, a medal and a car decal sticker.
The funds raised from the weekend will be used to install solar powered security lights and purchase a security system to monitor the entrances to the school, according to Kortus. Additionally, the group will be considering air quality testing, patching roof leaks and running heat tape down roof drains.
Reclaim Community will continue to fundraise throughout the rest of the year.
“We are working on a Kickstarter campaign to build a capital fund for some of the larger, labor-heavy repairs like HVAC restoration, roofing and restoring the gym and auditorium,” Kortus said.
The Kickstarter will have different donation levels that offer various memorabilia in return, like a school desk, piece of a chalkboard, T-shirts and photographs.
Reclaim Community’s board is currently looking for a seventh member to replace Ryan Reker, who is stepping down from the board due to an increase in his work schedule and family commitments, according to Kortus.
“We are actively searching for a seventh board member that embodies our vision and mission and has complimentary skills and experiences that build on our collective abilities,” Kortus said.
Anyone interested in becoming a board member can contact the group at reclaimcommunity@gmail.com.