Showing We Care

Marine Staff Sergeant Matt Pearson with his Vizsla dog, Beri.

The final shipment of the Military Support Group “Operation We Care” supplies went to Matt Pearson, son of Randy Pearson, GROWMARK seed division manager, quality assurance. Matt is a Marine Staff Sergeant currently deployed in Afghanistan. Matt’s unit received 14 boxes of school supplies and clothing.



During the last few months the supplies distributed to local school children and women in Nawzad (also Now Zad, a small town in the center of the district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:City_of_Now_Zad.jpg) put smiles on the faces of many. Photos were taken by Cpl. Kyle Green who commented:“Your gifts were greatly appreciated by the locals here in Now Zad.”

Thank you again to all who participated in this humanitarian effort with their generous donations to help our troops build relationships and goodwill in combat zones.

Appreciating Assistants

To commemorate Administrative Professionals Day, Betty Currie, former personal secretary to President Bill Clinton, addressed nearly 50 GROWMARK employees about her experiences working in such an important role.

An Illinois native, Currie held secretarial positions with the Navy, United States Postal Service, and the Peace Corps before taking early retirement in 1984. She decided to volunteer her skills working for the Mondale/Ferrero campaign that year and quickly found she enjoyed political work.

"I never considered myself a very political person, but the words 'I'd like to volunteer' open a lot of doors," she said.

Four years later, she accepted a paid role in the Dukakis/Bentsen campaign. After losing that election, she decided to step out of politics but was invited to be part of the Clinton/Gore campaign in 1992.

"I wasn't sure about going to Little Rock, if I'd like it, but I visited and fell in love with the people and the town, so I decided to give it a try," she said.

After Clinton was elected, she became part of the transition team because she understood shorthand. When she was offered the position of personal secretary to the new president, "it took about two seconds to say yes!"

She served President Clinton for eight years, and remains in touch with him and his family. She also cared for the Clintons' cat, Socks, after they left the White House.

Currie credits her success to her dedication and work ethic, being in the right place at the right time, and taking advantage of opportunities as they arose.

"If you want to succeed, you should strike a new path, not go by the one that is easy or expected," she added.

Rodeo Gal

This article was submitted by Jeff Draper, GROWMARK FS Eastern Region manager.

Victoria “Tori” Keen is an 18-year-old senior at Salem High School, in Salem, N.J. She is the daughter of Richard Keen, GROWMARK FS Bridgeton, N.J. facility employee, and Jane Atkinson. She is active in her school, holding officer positions in several clubs and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.She will attend Wingate University, Wingate, N.C., this fall, majoring in Athletic Training.

Outside of school, Keen enjoys running barrel horses. She is involved with numerous barrel racing organizations, where she has competed at the state, regional, national, and world levels. Last year, Keen finished 7th in the world on the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association junior card. This year, she will receive her WPRA Permit, allowing her to explore additional opportunities.

Taking the Plunge

What could possess a person to jump into a lake in Wisconsin in February? The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, that's what!

Jon Brellenthin, Frontier FS Cooperative EMS, and four family members formed a team to raise money for the Special Olympics and take the plunge. This year, their team raised just over $4,000.

Jon Brellenthin, Frontier FS Cooperative EMS (in red trunks) jumps into the frigid water of Lake Monona in Madison, Wis.

"This was the second time I've done the plunge," Brellenthin said. "It was always something I wondered about, and last year I got up the nerve to try it. I think Special Olympics is a great organization, and I was happy to do the plunge again this year."

On the day of the dip, the weather was 32 degrees with light snow falling.

"The water is deep enough that you can go in over your head," Brellenthin said. "You don't stay long, though - it's in and out!"

Brellenthin (far right) and his brothers and sister formed a team that raised more than $4,000 for the Special Olympics.

This was one of many Polar Plunge events throughout the state of Wisconsin. Together, nearly half a million dollars were raised for Special Olympics this year.

Major League Dreams

Christopher is a typical sports-loving 10-year old. He plays football and basketball, but he likes baseball best. He's the pitcher on a local traveling team.

One day he happened to catch a documentary about kids in the Dominican Republic who also like to play baseball.

"When I saw that show, I felt bad for those kids, because they didn't have equipment to play with," he said. "They were using sticks for bats and milk jugs for gloves."

The show made a real impression on Christopher. He prayed about the situation and decided he wanted to do something to help those children play the game they all love.

Christopher's grandfather Lynn Coots is a Certified Propane Specialist with Conserv FS, Inc. in Woodstock, Ill. Several months ago, he learned he had achieved his sales goals for the year, making him and his wife, Judie, eligible for the Annual Sales Program trip.

The destination? The Dominican Republic.

"Everything just fell into place," Lynn said. "When we found out I'd achieved the trip, we knew we needed to help Christopher help those children."

The Cootses packed a bag with baseballs, bats, gloves, and t-shirts. GROWMARK made arrangements with a local tour guide for them to visit a school. The children seemed well-nourished and clean, but Lynn said it was clear they had few possessions.

Every child received a small gift, and names were placed in a bowl and drawn for the larger items. Even though the Cootses spoke little Spanish and the children spoke little English, they understood each other very well.

"The students are learning English, and we were asked to tell them about Christopher and the reason we were there," Lynn said. "Every once in awhile I'd point at a child and say 'Sammy Sosa' or 'Albert Pujols' and they would smile so big."

The children's needs are ongoing, and Christopher asked his friends to donate used sports equipment. Other donations of new or gently used equipment, clothing, hats, and Spanish-English dictionaries are being collected. The first shipment will be sent on March 1.

Questions about the project can be directed to Lynn or Judie at 815-335-2991. A video of the donation can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/d4P870.

A Perfect Score

For most bowlers, a perfect game is a lofty goal, one that may take years to accomplish. Last week, Sandy Boyles, GROWMARK precision farming project coordinator did just that, scoring a perfect 300 during league play at Circle Lanes in Bloomington, Ill.

"I've been bowling seriously for the last seven years, but on and off most of my life," she said. "Last year I scored a 298, but still had the goal of a 300."

Boyles competes in three local leagues and had bowled perfect games in practices, but never in an actual competition.

"There were probably 80-100 other bowlers watching me," she said. "When someone gets close to a 300 game, everything else just stops."

In recognition of the accomplishment, Boyles will be listed on the honor board at Circle Lanes and will receive a 300 ring. She is the first woman to bowl a perfect game at the bowling alley in recent memory.

She credits her coaches, Michelle Mullen and Aleta Sill, as well as her doubles partner, Nancy, for providing technical and emotional support. She plans to bowl more perfect games in the future.

"Once you've done it once, the second one is easier because all the nerves are behind you," she said.