Ed, a driver for Benjamin Bus, was nominated by students from the Northfield Middle School Youth Center. His daily route includes picking up students at the high school and middle school  who attend after school programming through PRIMEtime. 

In their nomination, the students commented the way he greets them when they get on and off the bus and his energy and enthusiasm. Ed is committed to the students on the bus and is a positive influence on each of them.

The HCI and the Northfield News present the Making a Difference Award cooperatively. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate for  award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for nomination guidelines and the application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

The student’s in Cheryl Mathison’s class manage a small business called Soy Scents Candles & Soaps. Student entrepreneurs learn about the production and marketing of a product with an added bonus. The satisfaction of giving back to the community. Soy Scents Candles & Soaps has donated $14,000 since the beginning of operations to the Northfield Community Action Agency Food Shelf. The students were nominated as a result of this act of leadership and philanthropy.

The Healthy Community Initiative and the Northfield News present the Making a Difference Award cooperatively. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate for this award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for nomination guidelines and the easy-to-complete application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

Dan teaches sixth grade at Northfield Middle School and coaches the Northfield High School Nordic Ski Team. As a coach, he teaches all aspects of Nordic skiing while sharing his enthusiasm of a lifelong physical activity. Beyond the roles of teaching and coaching, Dan empowers high school students to be positive role models and lead by example when mentoring younger students.

The HCI Making a Difference is co-sponsored by the Northfield News. Visit www.northfieldhci.org to submit a nomination for the award. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

Kathy was nominated for her work with youth on the Northfield Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and her dedication to the youth in Northfield. She is an advocate for youth and does a wonderful  job of creating opportunities for teens to take on leadership roles.

HCI and the Northfield News cooperatively present the Making a Difference Award. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate for this award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for application guidelines.

Since September 2009, more than 600 pounds of over-the-counter and prescription medications have been deposited at the Rice County drop-0ff sites! The medication disposal boxes are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in the lobbies of the Northfield and Faribault police departments.

Thanks to the work of the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition (RCCHC), Mary Nelson (Take It to The Box program coordinator), and the Northfield and Faribault police departments, this hugely successful medication disposal program works toward the prevention of potential medication abuse/misuse and environment contamination.

For more information on Take It To The Box, visit www.ricecountychc.com or call 507-664-3524 or 507-332-5911.

Heather was nominated by two Northfield Middle School girls she coached during summer soccer. She combined her talents of coaching soccer skills and teaching life skills to reinforce positive decision-making. Heather has been an active Northfield Soccer Association member and coach and also volunteers with a variety of community and youth organizations.

HCI and the Northfield News present the “Making a Difference” Award cooperatively. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate, visit www.northfieldhci.org for guidelines and the application.

The trio of neighbors stepped forward and donated time, talent and tools to help bring the Northfield Skateboard Coalition’s temportary skate park closer to a reality. Schad, Brown and Plank worked side-by-side with youth Coalition members building ramps, jumps and other park obstacles.

The effort yielded the opportunity for youth to learn new skills and share their knowledge and passion with adult volunteers.

HCI and the Northfield News present the Making a Difference award cooperatively each month to a group or individual in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth.Visit www.northfieldhci.org  for nomination guidelines and applications.

She serves on the Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use and is the coordinator for the Rice County Safe Communities Coalition. She works with youth at the Union of Youth (KEY) and Rice County high school students on projects to promote traffic safety and most recently helped push forward passage of the Minnesota Primary Seat Belt Law.

Kathy continually recognizes the value of youth-led initiatives and works to give youth the opportunity to plan and implement projects. “Kathy has shown a long-term commitment to the safety and well-being of youth through her work with distracted driving, substance abuse prevention and seat belt use,” said Kathy Sandberg, Rice County Family Services Collaborative Coordinator.

HCI and the Northfield News present the “Making a Difference” Award cooperatively. If you would like to nominate an individual or group for this award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for guidelines and the the easy-to-complete application.

Dr. Reznikoff is an Addiction Medicine Specialist at Northfield Hospital. He began seeing patients with opiate addiction in Northfield last fall. Since joining the staff at Northfield Hospital, he has enthusiastically shared his knowledge and expertise involving opiate addiction and interventions to many groups in the community. Most recently, he led a drug awareness presentation for seventh and eighth grade students at Northfield Middle School. He has also given staff in-service presentations to ArTech and the Northfield School District.

“He did a great job connecting with the students with a perfect balance of importance and humor,” commented Jennifer Streefland, NMS Guidance Counselor.

HCI and the Northfield News present the Making a Difference Award cooperatively. If you would like to nominate and individual or group for this award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for guidelines and an easy-to-complete application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are selected by a review team of HCI board members and local youth.

The Mock Crash allows students a front row seat to a fatal crash. The scene plays out as close as possible to an actual traffic crash.  Following the reenactment, a very sobering reminder of the reality of impaired driving will be a presentation by Nathan and Connie Backstrom from Dakota County.  The Backstrom’s lost three sons in a fatal crash with a drunk driver. They share their story in an effort to increase awareness and decrease the fatalities and serious injuries that result from driving under the influence.

The Mock Crash is made possible by the efforts of Northfield Hospital EMS, Northfield Police, Northfield Rescue Squad, Rice County Sheriff’s Dept., Northfield High School, Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use, Northfield Healthy Community Initiative, Rice County Safe Communities Coalition, Minnesota State Patrol, North AirCare, Benson and Langehough Funeral Home, AAA-MN/IA, Fette Electornics, Madd/Rice County, and Northfield Union of Youth (KEY).