Give to the Max Day on Wednesday, November 20 is an exciting opportunity to support LIFE Mower County and help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full, meaningful lives.

Every donation you make through www.lifemowercounty.org/givetothemaxday not only helps fund our programs and activities—it also gives LIFE Mower County a chance to win extra prize money from the Give to the Max Day prize pool, thanks to the Bush Foundation and other generous supporters.

Prizes include:
⭐ Early Giving Golden Tickets (Nov. 1–20)
⭐ Golden Ticket prizes every 15 minutes
⭐ Hourly and Power Hour prizes
⭐ A $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket Grand Prize

Every dollar counts and could help LIFE Mower County earn additional funding to expand recreation, social events, advocacy, and community programs for people of all ages with disabilities.

As a special thank you, everyone who donates between November 1–20 is invited to our Appreciation Supper on Wednesday, November 20, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at LIFE Mower County. Members of the People First Aktion Club will be serving supper — a wonderful chance to see your impact in action, meet our staff and participants, and celebrate the inclusive community you’re helping build.

Your support truly matters. Together, we can make this Give to the Max Day the best one yet for our community!

Thank you for helping create opportunities for inclusion, fun, and personal growth.

Mark your calendars for Monday, November 3, 2025, and join us for a Community Impact Fundraising Event at Austin Pizza Ranch from 4:30 to 8:00 PM!

This is your chance to enjoy a meal while making a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Our People First Aktion Club members will be serving the community by helping clean tables and accepting tips and donations—all of which go directly to support their activities and programs.

Every tip and donation helps empower club members to engage, socialize, and grow through fun and enriching experiences. Your generosity truly creates a lasting impact!

Don’t miss this opportunity to dine, connect, and make a difference.
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Learn more about this event and how you can get involved at: www.lifemowercounty.org/communityimpact

Looking for a way to support LIFE Mower County while adding a little extra joy to your day? Our LIFE merchandise makes it easy! From cozy apparel to practical accessories, every item you purchase helps fund programs and activities that empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in our community.

Whether you’re looking for a stylish t-shirt, a comfy hoodie, or a handy tote bag, we have something for everyone. Each product is designed to celebrate our mission and spread awareness about the incredible individuals and families we serve. It’s more than merchandise—it’s a statement that you believe in inclusion, fun, and community support.

Wearing LIFE gear is a great conversation starter, a perfect gift, or just a fun way to show your pride. And the best part? Every dollar spent goes back into our programs—helping fund activities, events, and resources that make a real difference in people’s lives.

You can order online at https://bstarkstores.com/lifemowercounty/​ until November 28, or if you prefer, pick up a paper order form at the LIFE Mower County office. Don’t miss your chance to grab your favorite items and support a great cause at the same time!

Shop now, wear it proudly, and help LIFE Mower County continue creating opportunities, memories, and smiles for those we serve. LIFE is better when we live it together!

We are excited to announce the return of the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County on Sunday, October 12, 2025! This culinary extravaganza will showcase the finest chefs in our community, offering tastings of their signature dishes. Guests will enjoy an evening of incredible food, wine, and fun—all while supporting a cause that transforms lives.

At its heart, the Taste of Mower County is more than a celebration of flavors. It’s a fundraiser that helps LIFE Mower County provide vital programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

How You Can HelpTo make this event truly special, we are seeking donations for our silent and live auctions as well as our popular wine and spirit pull. Your generosity will play a key role in helping us reach our fundraising goals.

✨ Auction Donations: Whether it’s a gift certificate, unique item, or one-of-a-kind experience, your contribution will support LIFE Mower County while showcasing your business to a wide audience.

🍷 Wine & Spirit Pull: This exciting activity allows attendees to “pull” a surprise bottle of wine or spirits. Donating a high-quality bottle adds fun and anticipation to the evening while raising essential funds.

Why It Matters:
Every donation directly impacts the lives of people in Mower County. Your support helps ensure that children and adults with I/DD can access programs that foster inclusion, independence, and community connection. By giving, you’re not just supporting an event—you’re creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and families.

Join Us in Making an Impact:
We truly appreciate any donation you can provide, whether it’s an item, an experience, or a monetary contribution. Together, we can make the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County an unforgettable evening of food, fun, and community spirit.

📩 For more information or to make a donation, please contact Jamey today at [email protected] or 507-473-4832 or visit https://www.lifemowercounty.org/tomc—we’d love to hear from you!
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Thank you for helping us make a difference. We can’t wait to see you in October!

LIFE Mower County is excited to invite you to the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County—a community favorite where delicious food, local flavors, and generous hearts come together to make a difference.

📅 Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
⏰ Time: Doors open at 4:00 PM | Event runs 4:30 PM–7:00 PM
📍 Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, 1701 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912

What to Expect:
This year’s event promises an evening filled with food, fun, and opportunities to support LIFE Mower County’s programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Highlights include:

• 🍴 Food Tastings from local chefs, restaurants, and businesses
• 🍷 Wine Tastings to pair with your favorite bites
• 🎁 Silent Auction filled with exciting items and experiences
• 🎲 Heads or Tails Game for your chance to win big
• 🍹 Cash Bar to enjoy your favorite drinks
• 🎉 Door Prizes given out throughout the evening

Tickets🎟️ Tickets are $30 per person and go on sale Monday, September 8, 2025 at www.lifemowercounty.org/tomc.

💲 LIFE Members can request a promo code for $5 off their ticket by emailing [email protected].

Community Support:
​This event wouldn’t be possible without our generous tasting partners and sponsors.

👏 Special thanks to our tasting partners:

• Downtown Grill
• DoubleTree/Torge’s Live

👏 Special thanks to our sponsors:

• DoubleTree
• Hormel Foods
• Quality Pork Processors
• Medgaarden’s Southwest Sales
• The Huffman Family
• Austin Morning Lions Club
• Sterling Pharmacy
• King Maintenance

We are still seeking additional tasting partners and sponsors—your support makes a direct impact in the lives of individuals with I/DD right here in Mower County.  Learn more at www.lifemowercounty.org/tomc

Join Us!The Taste of Mower County is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a chance to come together as a community to celebrate inclusion, enjoy fantastic food and drinks, and ensure that LIFE Mower County can continue to provide vital programs and services.

👉 Questions? Contact Jamey at [email protected] or 507-473-4832 or visit www.lifemowercounty.org/tomc.

​Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for a night you won’t want to miss. We’ll see you at the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County!

We’re also gearing up for one of our biggest fundraising events of the year: the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County, taking place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Austin.  As of July 31, we’re excited to announce that The Downtown Grill has signed on as a tasting partner—but we’re still looking for more tasting partners to join us for this delicious and impactful evening.

We also want to thank the amazing businesses who’ve stepped up to sponsor the event so far:

• Event Sponsor: DoubleTree by Hilton
• Platinum Sponsor: Hormel Foods
• Gold Sponsor: Quality Pork Processors
• Silver Sponsor: Medgaarden’s Southwest Sales
• Bronze Sponsors: Sterling Pharmacy and King Maintenance

​If you or your business would like to get involved as a sponsor or tasting partner, visit: www.lifemowercounty.org/tomc.

Let’s make this year’s Taste of Mower County the most memorable yet—thank you for your continued support!

As August marks the final month of LIFE Mower County’s 2025 Summer Appeal, we want to thank everyone who has supported our mission so far—and remind our community that we still need your help to reach our goal.  Summer is a time for growth, connection, and discovery. At LIFE Mower County, we strive to make these opportunities accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. Our educational, social, and recreational programs are designed to create a more inclusive community—one where everyone can thrive, connect, and experience the joy of belonging.

For many individuals with diverse abilities, finding meaningful and accessible summer opportunities can be difficult. That’s why our summer programs are so important. They provide a safe, welcoming space for participants to try new experiences, build skills, and create lasting friendships.  But our work doesn’t stop when summer ends. We offer year-round programming—from enrichment activities and educational workshops to social events and community outings—ensuring continued growth and inclusion throughout every season.

This work is only possible because of generous supporters like you.  Whether you choose to make a one-time gift or become a monthly donor, your support directly benefits local individuals with disabilities and their families—helping them access life-changing opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Let’s finish the summer strong. Together, we can make this season—and every season—one of joy, connection, and limitless potential.

Donate today at www.lifemowercounty.org/summerappeal
Or mail/drop off your donation to:
LIFE Mower County
401 2nd Ave NE
Austin, MN 55912
(Please write “Summer Appeal” on the memo line.)

​Your donation truly makes a difference—thank you for being part of our mission.

Caring for someone with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) is a journey filled with love, challenges, and questions. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver, you deserve support, understanding, and the chance to connect with others who truly “get it.”

Join us at LIFE Mower County on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM for a special edition of our Parent and Caregiver Connection. This relaxed and welcoming gathering is a safe space to share stories, ask questions, and build connections with others who walk a similar path. You'll leave feeling heard, supported, and—most importantly—not alone.

​We’re excited to welcome a guest presentation by NAMI Southeast Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Together, we’ll explore:

• Coping strategies for daily challenges
• Mental health resources available in our area
• Self-care practices that caregivers often overlook—but desperately need

This event is free for both members and non-members, and it's open to caregivers and family members of all ages and life stages.

📍 Location: LIFE Mower County
💵 Fee: FREE for all
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Please pre-register to help us plan for seating and materials. Contact Jamey at 507-473-4832 or [email protected].

Come as you are. Leave with support, resources, and a renewed sense of connection. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025

Austin, MN – Beginning September 1, 2025, the Autism Friendly Austin (AFA) program will officially transition from the Hormel Historic Home (HHH) to LIFE Mower County. This collaborative move is designed to ensure continued growth, sustainability, and innovation in services for individuals with autism and their families in the Mower County area.

Since its founding, Autism Friendly Austin has been a vital community initiative under the leadership of the Hormel Historic Home. The program has offered sensory-friendly summer camps, monthly recreation nights, educational resources, and autism awareness training to promote inclusivity throughout the region. This transition to LIFE Mower County reflects a shared vision for expanding impact while honoring the legacy built at HHH.

“LIFE Mower County is honored to become the new home for Autism Friendly Austin,” said Dawn Helgeson, Executive Director of LIFE Mower County. “We recognize the incredible work done by the Hormel Historic Home to build and grow this program, and we are committed to continuing and expanding upon that work. As an organization focused on providing inclusive programming for individuals with developmental disabilities, this is a natural and exciting fit for our mission.”

Molly Lanke, Executive Director of United Way of Mower County, shared her support for the transition, stating: “United Way of Mower County is proud to support this thoughtful transition that will strengthen autism services in our community. We deeply appreciate the Hormel Historic Home's dedicated stewardship of the Autism Friendly Austin program over the years, creating vital camps, recreation nights, and community awareness initiatives that have made a real difference for families affected by autism. We're equally excited to see LIFE Mower County take on this important work. Their mission to expand opportunities and enrich lives for individuals with developmental disabilities makes them an ideal home for the program. This transition represents a commitment to expanded impact while maintaining the quality and care participants have come to trust. We look forward to seeing how autism programming continues to grow and serve our community under LIFE's leadership.”
 
In the coming months, both organizations will work closely together to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. Families currently involved in Autism Friendly Austin programming can expect consistent communication and continued access to the services they know and value. LIFE Mower County plans to assess community needs and explore ways to further enhance offerings as part of this exciting new chapter.

For more information about the transition or upcoming programming, please contact LIFE Mower County at (507) 433-8994 or visit www.lifemowercounty.org.

Media Contact:
Dawn Helgeson
Executive Director, LIFE Mower County
Phone: (507) 473-4831
Email: [email protected]

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Empowering Self-Advocates, Building Leaders

​Are you an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) looking to make a difference in your community? The People First Aktion Club at LIFE Mower County is the perfect place for you!

Why Join?
✔ Be a Leader – Develop leadership skills and learn how to advocate for yourself and others.
✔ Make Friends – Meet new people, share experiences, and build lifelong friendships.
✔ Give Back – Volunteer in community projects and make a positive impact.
✔ Have Fun – Enjoy exciting activities, guest speakers, and social events.
✔ Learn New Skills – Improve public speaking, teamwork, and decision-making.

Who Can Join?
Individuals, 18 and over, with I/DD who want to become more independent, confident, and involved in their community.

Meeting Details:
📍 LIFE Mower County, 401 2nd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912
📅 Usually held the 4th Tuesday of the month from 4:30-5:30
📞 Contact Us to Join! – 507-473-4832 | [email protected] | Learn more at www.lifemowercounty.org/pfac

Be a voice, not an echo. Join People First Aktion Club today!