Albertville Lions Club Presents Helen Keller Awards to Local Couples

Two couples received a Helen Keller Award from the Albertville Lions Club earlier this month for their community service efforts.

Pam and Ray Lindenfelser received the award for organizing the annual St. Albert's Garage Sale, which brings in donations for the community.

Jamey and Molly Krystosek, owners of Broaster catering in Albertville, also won a Helen Keller award. Their recognition was for helping many community organizations with dinners and events.

Founded in 1992, the Helen Keller Award honors people or groups who distinguish themselves "on behalf of sight, and who see, and care for the needs of those less fortunate than themselves."

Ray Lindenfelser, an Albertville native, and Pam Lindenfelser, from St. Michael, began the St. Albert's "Back 2 School" garage sale in 2009. Pam was looking for a way to help the community in difficult financial times.

Ray, Pam, and their children Jordan, 17, and Dylan, 15, started collecting supplies in their home each year from January until the event in August.

Most of the donations came from the family attending garage sales in person and asking families for their leftover items for the cause. In doing so, the family learned of other organizations in need of donation. After the community sale, some items were donated to pregnancy centers, a clothing drive for Africa, and books were given to libraries.

The Lindenfelsers received help running the sale from community members and "received many stories of how the sale was helping people, and starting conversations on how they might help," stated an Albertville Lions information release.

The family was recognized for their countless hours in this effort — Pam estimates the event took hundreds of hours each year. She enjoys the event and would like to see it continue, stated the release.

The other award recipients, Jamey and Molly Krystosek of Broaster Catering, were recognized for community service through their business.

Molly grew up working in the business, founded in 1980, with her parents. In 2003, Molly's father died. She took over the business in 2004, at the age of 23.

"She said she was definitely scared," stated an Albertville Lions information release. "It took a little getting used to, but with help from family and a great staff they have continued the wonderful business and continue to help many in the community."

"They have grown leaps and bounds over the past nine years, from doing work down at Harriet Island, the Xcel Plant in Monticello, doing work for Cargill, General Mills, and other successful businesses. But they have never forgotten where they grew up and what matters most, the local community and the people who surround you on a daily basis."

Broaster Catering continues its service to the community through benefits for community members, and dinners for community organizations. They also donate to Sharing and Caring hands on a monthly basis.

Molly and Jamey said they will continue to give back "as long as life lets them."

On the night of the award ceremony, the Albertville Lions Club also inducted new member Wendy Brown, who is a small business owner.