MANKATO , MINN. -
The Greater Mankato Growth Leadership Institute was helping out at a variety of non–profits and local businesses today. They were giving their time by helping organizations that help the community for the 27th year. KEYC stopped at MRCI, The Children's Museum, and the Echo Food Shelf. There were other posts as well, including VINE, Holiday Sharing Tree, The Salvation Army, Ecumen Pathstone Living amongst others.
Barb Embacher, Vice President of the Greater Mankato Growth Leadership Institute, was thrilled with the work the organization was doing this afternoon. Embacher says, "All of our hands together make our community better, we're encouraging that to continue."
The crux of the organization is twofold, to strengthen leadership qualities for the individual, and then for them to use those skills in the community. Eric Harriman, one of the volunteers with the group working at the Children's Museum said, "You know there is really something about giving back. Yes this is a part of a class, but we got to pick where we wanted to go, we've got people, our classmates, all throughout the community today for a couple of hours, and when you give back to something that you're passionate about, it's very rewarding."
But those in the class are not only learning to lead, they are also learning more about the community. Patti Kramlinger, a volunteer at MRCI, said, "The great part about this class is that you get to understand more about the great things that Mankato businesses are doing."
The Greater Mankato Growth Leadership Institute helps to not only make great leaders, but to bind them together in the community. Jeff Pribyl, also volunteering at MRCI, said, "It will allow me better connections with those other companies, organizations, industries in the Mankato area, so the networking becomes very important."
The group's help was highly beneficial. There were 40 volunteers in the class spread around the community. They graduate this spring.
