Award Recipients
Past Recipients of the Making a Difference Award
Learn about past award recipients who were recognized for positively impacting and valuing Northfield youth.
If this sounds like someone you know, find out about the nomination process.
Make a NominationAll Past Recipients
April 22, 2020
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Kay Smith with the March/April 2020 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an even [...]
March 9, 2020
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Lynn James with the January/February 2020 “Making a Difference Award.” The recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an even better place [...]
November 5, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Anna Kelly with the November 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an [...]
October 16, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Dot Lauer with the October 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an [...]
September 19, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Linda Oto with the September 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an [...]
September 3, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Valori Mertesdorf with the August 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an [...]
August 2, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Lissa Branham with the July 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield an [...]
July 17, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized Dr. Ben Flannery with the June 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given monthly to a community member or organization who helps make Northfield [...]
May 24, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognized a group of St. Olaf students known as the Science Alliance, with the May 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given out monthly to [...]
April 24, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Fr. Denny Dempsey, pastor at the Church of St. Dominic, with the April 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given out monthly to [...]
March 25, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative recently recognized Jane Tapper, volunteer at Bridgewater Elementary School, with the March 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given out monthly to community members or organizations [...]
February 27, 2019
The Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Ben Heath of the Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) with the January 2019 “Making a Difference Award.” The Making a Difference recognition is given out monthly to community [...]
December 27, 2018
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized the custodians from Northfield Public Schools for the December 2018 Making a Difference Award. The Making a Difference award is given out monthly to community members or organizations that [...]
November 26, 2018
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Naomi Miessler, Rachel Miessler and Steph Helkenn for the November 2018 “Making a Difference” Award. Together they spearheaded much of the volunteer organizing of the September 20th storm clean-up. [...]
August 26, 2018
Through its “Making a Difference Award,” the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recognizes community members or organizations who help make Northfield an even better place for young people. The award is given to an individual or group 10 [...]
May 30, 2018
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Emmaus Baptist Church as the May/June 2018 “Making a Difference” award recipient. The church was honored for its support of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program. The award is [...]
February 5, 2018
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Benjamin Bus driver Amber Holeman-Richardson with the “Making A Difference” award for her enthusiastic participation in the Northfield Promise Books on the Bus program. The award is given to [...]
January 12, 2018
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized HealthFinders volunteer Diane Pearsall with the “Making A Difference” award for investment of her time and her heart into our community. The award is given to community members or [...]
December 19, 2017
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized local choreographer and director Shari Setchell with the “Making A Difference” award for nearly two decades of sharing and inspiring the art of dance in our community. The award [...]
October 25, 2017
Local Pediatricians are Making A Difference Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized local physicians Dr. Todd Amunrud, Dr. Ben Flannery, Dr. Heidi Kram and Dr. Tim Hogan with the “Making A Difference” award for their [...]
August 24, 2017
Healthy Community Initiative recently recognized Eric Johnson, who spearheaded the building of Northfield’s book bike with the July/August Making a Difference award. The award is given out to community members or organizations that help make [...]
June 1, 2017
Healthy Community Initiative recognized the Northfield Public Schools child nutrition staff with the April/May 2017 Making a Difference Award. The award is given monthly to community members or organizations that help make Northfield an even [...]
February 7, 2017
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Chris Matek and Brian Kramer, advisors of Northfield Public Safety Explorer Post 3300, with the January 2017 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out to community members [...]
January 18, 2017
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Northfield Shares, and its work related to the Cannon River floodwaters in Northfield, with the November and December 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly [...]
September 24, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Tom Bisel, owner of Downtown Bicycles in Northfield, with the September 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community members or organizations that help to [...]
August 1, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized John Stenz, FORCE America president, and Heather Poush, FORCE America executive administrative assistant, with the July 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community [...]
June 27, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Keith Nohava and Will Howard, custodians at Greenvale Park Elementary School, with the June 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community members or [...]
May 15, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Laura Goodwin, Autism and the Arts Coordinator and instructor at the Northfield Arts Guild, with the May 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community [...]
April 13, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Connie Nelson, former elementary teacher and current chair of the Northfield Promise Reading Team, with the March 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to [...]
March 9, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Emily Carroll, certified family nurse practitioner with HealthFinders, with the January/February 2016 “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community members or organizations that help [...]
January 9, 2016
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized Jim Sipe, Lego League coach at Greenvale Park Elementary School, with a “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community members or organizations that have [...]
November 24, 2015
Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) recently recognized long-time Randolph and Northfield agriculture instructor Ed Terry with a “Making a Difference” Award. The award is given out monthly to community members or organizations that have made a [...]
October 21, 2015
Missy Donkers and Emily Monaghan have received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for September and October 2015. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have made a positive influence [...]
July 31, 2015
At the final performance of the most recent Young People’s Theater Workshop summer session and celebration of the program’s 25-year anniversary, Patsy Dew and Myrna Johnson were awarded the Making a Difference Award by Penny [...]
July 9, 2015
The Latino (And Friends!) Play Festival has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for June. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. [...]
May 29, 2015
Shari Hagen has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for May. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Hagen is retiring this [...]
May 4, 2015
Susan Sanderson has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for April. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth.Susan Sanderson Making a Difference. [...]
February 28, 2015
Allina Health has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for February. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. This is the fourth [...]
January 30, 2015
Northfield Mayor Dana Graham has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for January. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Since taking [...]
December 29, 2014
Longtime Raiders coach and community volunteer Larry Santfner has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for December. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
December 8, 2014
Elizabeth Shepley, the artistic director of the Northfield Youth Choirs, has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for November. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a [...]
October 27, 2014
A year after moving to Northfield and immersing themselves in efforts to make the community more bicycle-friendly, Derek and Laura Meyers have received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for September/October. The [...]
September 2, 2014
Two Northfield residents who helped middle school students plant and care for a summer vegetable garden have received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for August. The award celebrates groups and individuals [...]
July 29, 2014
The Northfield Historical Society has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for July. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. The [...]
June 30, 2014
Just Food Co-op, a community-owned natural foods market and deli, has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for June. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive [...]
June 3, 2014
The coordinator of a pregnancy prevention program for Latino youth has received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for May. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a [...]
May 5, 2014
Thirteen peer mentors who volunteered with an art program for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum have received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for April. The award celebrates groups [...]
March 19, 2014
Sixteen students and a teacher from the Northfield Area Learning Center (ALC) who have helped get food to youth and families in need have received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for [...]
February 18, 2014
Three adult advisers to the Northfield Skateboard Coalition received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for January/February. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield [...]
January 6, 2014
Eight neighborhood leaders of the Growing Up Healthy coalition received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for December. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
December 9, 2013
Lynn James, the Northfield Police Department’s evidence technician, has received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for November. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
October 27, 2013
Beth Berry, who recently retired as high school coordinator of the TORCH program, has received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for October. The award celebrates groups and individuals in the community who [...]
September 12, 2013
Brian Edwards, Jim Ingham and Julia Smith, members of Northfield Hospital & Clinics Emergency Medical Services (EMS), received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for September. The award celebrates groups and individuals in [...]
July 25, 2013
The Awesome Club was founded three years ago by a then-St. Olaf student, Natalie Davis, as a social skills club for high school students with autism. This year, about 16 high school students and [...]
July 2, 2013
Two former professional boxing instructors and their student assistant have received the Healthy Community Initiative’s (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award for June 2013. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have [...]
May 20, 2013
Three local women who led an after-school sewing group at Northfield Middle School have received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for May 2013. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the [...]
April 21, 2013
The Northfield Skateboard Coalition has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for March/April 2013. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. [...]
March 4, 2013
Two longtime volunteers with a Northfield Boy Scout Troop have received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for January/February 2013. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a [...]
December 26, 2012
Nine Northfield area residents who organized the third annual Y Kids Tri have received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for November/December. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who [...]
November 20, 2012
A Northfield woman who has served as a longtime youth mentor has received the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award for October. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have [...]
October 21, 2012
A Northfield businessman who’s provided job experience for hundreds of local teenagers has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award for September. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community [...]
July 2, 2012
A Northfield city employee who spearheaded the acquisition and installation of skateboard park equipment at Riverside Lions Park has received the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award for June 2012. The award celebrates those [...]
June 5, 2012
A Northfield parent who’s been an integral volunteer with the Northfield Youth Choirs for more than a decade is the May 2012 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates [...]
April 25, 2012
Rachel Matney and Fritz Bogott are the March/April 2012 recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
March 24, 2012
A Northfield man who helped a group of teenagers from the Key build a canoe is the February 2012 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and [...]
February 3, 2012
Four teenagers who organized a benefit concert for a family who lost their home in a fire are the December 2011/January 2012 recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates [...]
December 12, 2011
Bob Gregory-Bjorklund and Ann Gregory-Bjorklund are the November recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
November 6, 2011
Chuck Perkins, a volunteer coach with the Northfield High School Raiders football team, is the September/October 2011 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals [...]
August 23, 2011
Four AmeriCorps Promise Fellows who devoted the past year to serving youth in Northfield are the July/August recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in [...]
July 7, 2011
Seven Carleton College tutors who volunteered with the TORCH program were named the June recipients of the the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community [...]
June 12, 2011
The Bethel Lutheran Church group Youth Energized to Serve (Y.E.S.) is the May recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have [...]
May 9, 2011
Rotary Youth Exchange Officer Vicki Dilley is the April 2011 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence [...]
March 22, 2011
Local business owner Randy Malecha is the February/March 2011 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference” award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
January 21, 2011
Gabriel Rysdahl, a senior at St. Olaf College, is the January recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s (HCI) “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a [...]
November 19, 2010
All the contractors, businesses and community members who donated labor or goods to help with the rehab and opening of the new Key building are the November recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a [...]
October 15, 2010
The Northfield High School girls soccer team is the October recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive [...]
September 14, 2010
Kathy Lansing is the September 2010 recipient of HCI’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Lansing is beginning her [...]
August 21, 2010
Leisa Irwin is the August 2010 recipient of HCI’s “Making a Difference” award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Irwin organized the Northfield [...]
July 17, 2010
Rachel Hanson, Leigh Langehough and Heidi Strike are the July 2010 recipients of HCI’s “Making a Difference” Award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield [...]
Charles Reznikoff, M.D. is May Making A Difference Recipient
May 26, 2009
Charles Reznikoff, M.D. is the May recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Making a Difference award. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. [...]
May 18, 2009
A group of Northfield High School ESL students are the January 2009 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference Award”. The students were nominated for their efforts to organize an informational Latino gang [...]
Rice County Sheriff Richard Cook is Making a Difference
May 18, 2009
Rice County Sheriff Richard Cook is the February 2009 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference Award”. Sheriff Cook was nominated for his dedication to stop the drug problems in Rice county His [...]
May 18, 2009
Pam Vig is the October 2009 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” award. Pam is the Director of Youth Ministries at Bethel Lutheran Church. Along with her many contributions to youth, Pam [...]
May 18, 2009
Alyssa Jilek is the November 2009 recipient of HCI’s “Making a Difference Award.” Alyssa has been a Promise Fellow at Northfield High School for the past two years and constantly goes above and beyond her [...]
Neuger Communications Group is Making a Difference
May 18, 2009
Neuger Communications Group is the December 2009 recipient of the HCI “Making a Difference Award”. Neuger Communications Group has been instrumental in the 2009-2010 MOST positive norms campaign at Northfield Middle School, designing all of [...]
Two full-time positions working with Northfield youth for 2009-10 school year
May 14, 2009
We are pleased to announce that there are two exciting full-time position openings working with Northfield youth for the 2009-10 school year. These AmeriCorps Promise Fellow positions are made possible through a collaboration with the [...]
Mark Code is April Making A Difference Recipient
April 27, 2009
Mark Code is the April recipient of the HCI Making a Difference Award. The award celebrates groups and individuals in Northfield who have a positive impact on youth. A retired Northfield School District educator, Mark’s [...]
May 18, 2008
Erin Eggum, Lauren Behr, Emily Green, and Morgan Zabel were the July 2008 recipients of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have [...]
May 18, 2008
The Campaign for Children Committee has been named the September/October 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a [...]
May 18, 2008
Northfield resident Jim Christensen is the January/February 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield [...]
May 18, 2008
The Ollin Ayacaxtly/Aztec Dance Circle is the March/April 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on [...]
May 18, 2008
Lee Murray is the May2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Lee has [...]
May 18, 2008
Carey Tinkelenberg is the June 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Tinkelenberg [...]
May 18, 2008
Pablo Orozco is the November 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference Award”. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Pablo [...]
May 18, 2008
The Northfield Main Street Moravian Church is the December 2008 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference Award”. The congregation was nominated for organizing and hosting a town hall forum to address heroin [...]
May 18, 2007
Pam Roberts is the July 2007 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Making a Difference award. The award celebrates individuals and groups who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Pam has served as [...]
May 18, 2007
The Cannon River Sportsmen’s Club is the August 2007 recipient of the HCI “Making a Difference Award.” The club has been a youth asset builder in the Northfield community for many years. The Sportsmen’s Club [...]
May 18, 2007
The Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) is the September 2007 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence [...]
May 18, 2007
Jorge Zuccolotto is the October 2007 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Jorge [...]
May 18, 2007
Students in the Northfield High School Focus 10/Social Studies and English class are the November/December 2007 recipient of the Healthy Community Initiative’s “Making a Difference Award.” The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the [...]
2004 Youth Asset-Builder Award Recipients
March 5, 2004
Prior to starting the Making a Difference Awards program in 2007, HCI previously annually awarded an HCI Youth Asset-Builder Award to individuals who worked to make the community a better place for young people. These individuals were honored at an annual celebration. [...]