Category: BGS in the Community
Habitat for Humanity: Building Hope Together
October 15, 2014 | Scott M. LepakOn October 3, 2014 BGS helped build its most recent Habitat for Humanity house. This house was a single story house specially constructed to meet the needs of a disabled family member. Another great thing about this house was that it is located in Columbia Heights, a City where we have been honored to serve as City Attorneys for the past 23 years. Our work crew arrived expecting to put on siding but the wet weather from the previous day had put the project slightly behind schedule. We spent the morning disassembling scaffolding and hauling it through the mud before we could get to our main jobs of putting up a center post on the porch and installing fascia and trim. The work crew of Tracie Davis, Lynn Geistfeld and Liz Schading turned out to be the best fascia installation crew with flawless teamwork and attention to detail. The work crew led by our best carpenter (who is our IT pro in his regular job) Brian Harvison showed flashes of productivity but work periodically slowed as the lawyers on the crew, Dan Ganter, Scott Lepak and Jon Erickson, periodically paused to engage in spirited debate and instruction to each other on the proper way to perform simple tasks. The Habitat for Humanity job…
Read MoreStarry Starry Success for Stable Pathways
September 25, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Sarah Thies & Patti Franz, the program director of Stable Pathways The stars were dimmed early in the evening by an unexpected fall thunderstorm, but as the clouds rolled away Stable Pathways’ second annual fall fundraiser event went off without a hitch. Sarah Thies, Board Member of Stable Pathways and BGS Legal Administrative Assistant said, “It was amazing. Everyone worked so hard to prepare for this night and in the end, it all just fell into place.” The evening included a silent auction, live band appearance by Gravel Roads , dinner and information about the Stable Pathways mission. The event helped raise necessary funds for this important program helping to provide therapeutic horse activities for people living with physical and cognitive challenges. “Stable Pathways’ horses will need both veterinary care and feeding over the coming winter months. The funds raised will go a long way to offset these expenses and necessary costs,” said Sarah, “We are grateful that the event was so successful.” Stable Pathways is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Stable Pathways and the Starry, Starry Night Barn Dance, visit stablepathways.org
Read MoreSave the Date! Starry, Starry Night Barn Dance: September 20, 2014
July 30, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Stable Pathways, a program that provides horse-assisted activities for people living with cognitive and physical challenges, is hosting a barn dance benefit for fundraising. BGS’ Legal Administrative Assistant Sarah Thies is on the Board of Directors and is assisting in organizing the event. Barna, Guzy & Steffen is also a sponsor of the event. The fundraiser will take place Saturday, September 20st, 2014. There will be an excellent BBQ dinner featuring Famous Dave’s food, a silent auction, program demonstration, and dancing with live music will follow. Tickets to the event will be $35 with proceeds going to promote Stable Pathways’ missions. Stable Pathways is located at Bunker Park Stables in Coon Rapids. It provides equine-assisted activities for people living with physical and cognitive challenges under the careful direction of either a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Certified Instructor or a Minnesota licensed Occupational Therapist. Sarah says that therapeutic horseback riding helps riders “organize” body and brain. The horse’s gait is most similar to a human gait so riding provides a connection to a natural rhythmic movement from the horse that stimulated the rider’s body and brain. Riders at Stable Pathways have experienced positive changes in a variety of ways such as steadier balance, improved core strength, increased trunk control through side…
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