Medora’s Volunteers featured on North Dakota Today – North Dakota Nice Blog
Originally published on valleynewslive.com | December 9, 2024
Amanda Kosior – Let’s travel together to the western part of the state to meet Mike and Shelly Rowe. We all know Medora, and we all know the Medora Foundation.
Tatum Miller – Oh yah!
Amanda Kosior – The Medora Foundation, interestlingly enough actually only takes volunteers for one week [each] in the summer. But the rest of the year – pre and post-season – they have Mike and Shelly, who you see right here.
In 2017, Mike and Shelly got involved with Medora. They are the ones they call when they need anything. If they need to be brought in last minute, whatever it is, they are ready to roll up their sleeves. They don’t mind getting their clothes dirty or their hands dirty. They have painted offices, and stained businesses. They dismantled the bunkhouse. They have taken seats out of the amphitheater.
Shelly said that every time is a new adventure for them. They always get to meet new people, learn something new, and do something that is going to help make Medora a great place to be.
They are just so wonderful and everybody loves them so much. And you think, ‘That’s nice, that must be what they do. They are retired and they helped build Medora.’ But also, since 2019, – they weren’t busy enough in Medora – so now they also build churches around the country. Through Charity Lutheran Church out of Bismarck and Volunteer Christian Builders out of Texas, they have been to nine states to build churches.
Tatum Miller – Wow!
Amanda Kosior – I know!
Tatum Miller – OK, that’s very impressive. It sounds like they wear a lot of different hats, too.
Amanda Kosior – Yes. I always forget – I don’t forget about Medora, of course – but I always forget that Medora has to function all year round. People in Medora have jobs and they are not just waiting for tourists to show up.
Tatum Miller – Right. Not just summertime.
Amanda Kosior – Yes. I think it’s so awesome that people are willing to travel from Bismarck and Mandan and come out to help. This is so wonderful. Thank you to the Rowes for making one of our most special – well all of North Dakota is special – but one of our most special parts of North Dakota even more special.
Tatum Miller – Yes. Thank you, Mike and Shelly.
