The Hy-Vee Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce holiday event was Nov. 15 at Wedgewood Cove.

According to a press release, Hy-Vee served numerous appetizers and holiday treats, drew for door prizes of beautiful holiday floral items and had many wine and spirits to sample on hand.

Patrons who are Chamber members paid $20 per ticket to attend and non- Chamber patrons paid $25. It was a wonderful event enjoyed by all who attended.

This year a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and all of the money raised by the silent auction items were donated to Minnesota Special Olympics.

Hy-Vee will present Special Olympics Minnesota with a check for $1,198.   

Special Olympics Minnesota provides support and activities for over 8,000 athletes across the state.  It offers area, regional and state events in 17 different sports,  has Healthy Athlete programs in which athletes can get free screenings at different state and regional events, as well as encouragement in healthy eating habits and fitness. It also has leadership programs that athletes can participate in.

In Freeborn County alone, there are two Special Olympics teams and two preschools participate in the Young Athletes program that helps foster inclusion. The Albert Lea High School  National Honor Society has participated in  the spring field day event for the preschools in the past, and Glenville-Emmons High School had an “R word” event last year where students signed a banner pledging to end the use of the “R word.”

The organization also offers numerous opportunities for schools to get involved in unified sports and “R word” initiatives, and can even become a champion school. For more information go to www.somn.org.