The Free Press
Team registration is open for an outdoor fundraiser for Mankato Family YMCA’s various programs. The third annual Penguin Plunge begins noon Feb. 10 at Westwood Marina in rural Kasota.
For the third year in a row, supporters of the YMCA will be taking an icy plunge into Lake Washington.
The event is a kickoff for the Y’s 2024 Strong Community Campaign to support its general operations. This year’s goal is $17,000.
The public may watch the plunge and participate in an 11 a.m. silent auction.
Proceeds from a lunch served at Westwood Marina will be donated to the fundraiser.
Registrations will be accepted until Jan. 31. To register online, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yplunge2024.
For more information, including how to volunteer at the event or donate items for the silent auction, email a request to: dslaughter@mankatoymca.org.
MN Ag Expo opens Wednesday
This year’s MN Ag Expo is slated Wednesday and Thursday at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. The event’s keynote speaker is University of Minnesota Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck.
Fleck will speak during a dinner 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The expo is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
Admission to MN Ag Expo and Wednesday night’s dinner featuring Fleck is free; however, dinner tickets are limited.
The expo offers learning, networking and connecting with ag leaders. With nearly 100 booths, the trade show floor provides attendees the opportunity to explore various commodity groups, state agencies, agribusinesses, industry organizations, legislative speakers and guest speakers.
Information and registration can be found at: mnagexpo.com/attendee-registration.
Mankato offering round of community grants
A total of $15,000 is available from the city in Mankato’s current round of community grant funds.
Applications include the following categories, along with their respective goals:
• Community performing arts and music programs may apply for funds to enhance public performances in various genres of music and performing arts.
• Community beautification and public art programs may apply for funds to beautify and improve community and public spaces.
• Community social services programs may apply for funds to provide social services that enhance quality of life and independence of service to recipients/clients.
• Individual artists may apply for grants of up to $2,500.
Organizations with operating incomes of less than $50,000 for the prior year are eligible for up to $2,500. Organizations with operating income of $50,000 or more are eligible for up to $5,000.
Community grant applications will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9.
For more information, call 387-8690 or go to: mankatomn.gov/your-government/city-manager-s-office/grant-information/community-grant-program.