August 6, 2008

GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS VOLUNTEERS ASSIST BRAINERD RESIDENT
WITH HOME REPAIRS


BRAINERD, Minn. - Twenty-three Grand Casino Mille Lacs associates visited the home of Brainerd resident Alvin Hansen on August 5 to help with much-needed home repairs and maintenance projects through the casino's fourth annual Lend a Hand program.
 
Hansen was selected out of several applicants due to his amazing story of family, hardships and survival.  Hansen has always put others before himself and has always been willing to help someone out if they need it.  He and his late wife Joyce showed that in many ways throughout their life.  After they married in 1949, they built their life together by helping others and have instilled the same beliefs in their six children.
 
Hansen has enjoyed a variety of careers throughout his life from farming to the U.S. Army to heavy equipment operator to the ministry.  "I was always hungry to know what each career was like," Hansen said.  Even at 82, Hansen teaches Sunday school and midweek bible studies at the Garrison Alliance Church.
 
In 2003, at the age of 77, Hansen's life changed drastically when he suffered a severe heart attack.  So severe, he had five-way bypass surgery and lost 20% of function in his heart.  He has been on oxygen ever since.
 
In October of 2007, Hansen's wife lost a battle with Alzheimer's.  With his already fluctuating health conditions, Hansen fought hard to maintain the household that he and his wife once cared for together, but it soon became too much.  That's when Hansen was selected for Grand Casino Mille Lacs's Lend a Hand program.
 
"It is overwhelming and exciting at the same time," said Hansen of the help he received.  "My wife had a green thumb, and it's nice to see everything look so nice again. We need more of this type of help going on."
 
The program annually awards one-day home makeovers to individuals who meet criteria based on income, physical limitations, medical issues, and other challenges.  A committee of Facilities Associates interviewed the 2008 nominees for the program and selected Hansen as the recipient.
 
Half of the volunteers cleaned out Hansen's garage, landscaped around his house, and installed a new egress window and water softener.  The rest of the volunteers cleaned the inside of his house, fixed the steps outside for easier access, and cleaned his basement and yard.
 
The casino received valuable assistance and donations from local companies, including Jim's Mille Lacs Disposal, Inc.; Landsburg Landscape Nursery; Garrison Disposal; Mille Lacs Water Conditioning; Nor-Son, Inc. of Baxter, Minn.; Crud Crew (a steel pick up service) from Brainerd; and Grand Casino Mille Lacs's own facilities, food and beverage, area relations, marketing, and security departments.
 
"We were very excited for the opportunity to provide Mr. Hansen with these home repairs," said Lon Burr, vice president of facilities at Grand Casino Mille Lacs.  "After all he's been through, he truly deserves a helping hand.  We are grateful for this chance to give back and for the generous donations from our local community."
 
The Lend a Hand committee includes the following Grand Casino Mille Lacs associates: Arlene Bently, Lon Burr, Sara Rutledge, Sarah Barten, Cory Wind, Todd Christopherson, Juliet Curtis, Ray Kegg, and Suzanne Kirby.
 
Additional associates who volunteered their time to help Hansen were:   Natalie Boyd, Leo Roufs, Lorena Horak, Gerald Nickaboine, Dixie Nelson, Art Johnson, Monte Janowiak, Craig Nass, Jim Hutchison, Steve Meredith, Darwin Hatch, Robinn Bruckhoff, Carol Drabczak, and Bonnie Halverson.

"This is a day of new beginnings for me," Hansen said.  "Thank you Grand Casino."
 
About Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, which are owned by the Corporate Commission of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians, are two of Minnesota's premier entertainment facilities, offering gaming, accommodations, dining, conference and banquet facilities, and live entertainment.