A photograph brings joy and generosity

EDITOR’S NOTE: I went to high school with Josh Klander, and although I did not know him well, we were on the speech team together, and I saw him as a hard-working, intelligent, and well-spoken young man. I’m friends with his sister, Krystal, who adores her brother and is proud of his accomplishments. I was happy to publish Josh’s photo in last week’s issue, and I’m glad good things came of it. Way to go, Josh! —Tucker Nelson, HTF Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic has created so many hardships for everyone across the nation, but at United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN), it has also created so many unexpected opportunities.

If it were not for the pandemic, for instance, Josh Klander may have never come to volunteer with us. With Buddy Backpacks packing sessions open to single households or workplaces only, UWNEMN board member April Klander asked if she would be able to bring her son, Josh, to pack Buddy Backpacks. Josh was born blind, but he doesn’t let that stop him from reaching his goals. He set a goal of packing 1,000 weekend meal kits for local children at risk of hunger, and he accomplished that in just a handful of packing sessions.

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