NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 3, 2018
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
St. Louis County Board presents Public Health Achievement Awards
A woman who makes lunches for children who might otherwise miss a meal, and who packs emergency bags for victims of domestic assault and for children going into foster care; and a program that has served hundreds of people by making it easier for them to access local produce and other healthy foods: these are the recipients of the third annual St. Louis County Public Health Achievement Awards.
The County Board today honored Heather Hemphill Keely and The Rutabaga Project for demonstrating high achievement in promoting healthy communities in St. Louis County. The awards were given out as part of National Public Health Week, which runs April 2-8.
Heather Hemphill Keely is the founder of the Carousel Volunteer and Donation Center in Chisholm. Hemphill Keely has a reputation for identifying needs and then working tirelessly towards a solution. She started a summer lunch program for children that began with her offering food out of her store but grew to her packing 60 to 80 lunches each day. More recent projects include collecting donations and packing emergency bags for survivors of domestic violence, and for children who are going into foster care.
The Rutabaga Project is a joint effort started by the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) and the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability. The Rutabaga Project focuses on improving access to local, healthy foods for children and families, and now involves numerous other community partners. Promoting use of the local farmers' market, planting a community garden, providing transportation to grocery stores, and starting a meal kit program are all examples of the Rutabaga Project's success, helping hundreds of people.
"When a community has a strong public health system it often goes unnoticed because health outcomes are positive, safety nets are not maxed out, and healthy behaviors are the norm," Linnea Mirsch, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Director told commissioners. "It’s a special day when we are able to recognize individuals and organizations that make up the fabric of the public health system."
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 Heather Hemphill Keely (center) is shown with her daughter, Kaylee Anderson, and husband, Bret Keely. They are surrounded by (L-R) Public Health and Human Services Director Linnea Mirsch, Public Health Nurse Sarah Lehrke, Commissioners Pete Stauber and Mike Jugovich, Auditor Don Dicklich, County Attorney Mark Rubin, Commissioners Beth Olson, Frank Jewell and Keith Nelson, and County Administrator Kevin Gray.
 The Rutabaga Project partners Brian Bluhm, Jeannine Carlson and Lareesa Sandretsky are shown with, L-R: PHHS Director Linnea Mirsch, Auditor Don Dicklich, Public Health Nurse Sarah Lehrke, County Attorney Mark Rubin, Commissioners Frank Jewell, Mike Jugovich, Beth Olson and Keith Nelson, and County Administrator Kevin Gray.
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