The Minnesota Senior Federation was out in force this summer at six different county fairs. Pressing the flesh and talking about prescription drug costs proved a great combination as we reached hundreds of new people across the state.

More important than the statistics was the renewed working relationship between volunteers and staff to bring the message of the Federation to the public. Anoka County was hot, but it supplied 12 new riders to the August Rx Express trip to Canada. Benton County brought us multiple contacts in an area where we have not had a presence in years. Douglas County saw a strong cadre of leaders and volunteers pushing the Federation message to hundreds of new faces. Steele County lived up to its billing as one of the largest county fairs in Minnesota and our numbers reflect this.

Summary of accomplishments

• County fairs covered: Anoka, Benton, Douglas, Itaska, Murray and Steele
• Number of volunteers: 30
• Number of volunteer hours: 96
• Number of VISTAs: 4
• Number of VISTA hours: 160
• Number of new Federation contacts: 770

Like the Minnesota State Fair booth, visitors were offered the chance to win a prize. Hundreds took us up on the chance. The grand prize winner for a flat panel TV was Nick Theis of St. Cloud. Five prizes of $50 gas cards were won by Maxine Suee of Alexandria, Mary Larson of Claremont, Mike Horst of Blaine, Roy Linn Jr. of St. Cloud and Roxann Peglow of Garfield.

The Federation membership committee will evaluate the county and the state fair processes at their Oct. 12 meeting. To give input, call Dennis Gerhardstein at 651/783-5049 for information.