BISMARCK, ND – We all remember our childhood sports heroes. While those heroes often get the most recognition, it is the Hidden Hometown Heroes nestled in our own community that make the deepest impact. There are so many making a difference right here in Bismarck. It’s rarely fun or recognized, but these Hidden Hometown Heroes are compelled to give back.
This spring, the Larks, Bismarck Magazine and Scheels identified 25 individuals going above and beyond. These 25 heroes have been highlighted for their dedication in May’s issue of Bismarck Magazine.
Of those 25, we asked the public to read each awe inspiring and select the heroes they felt made the biggest impact. Based on that input, we have selected six of those 25 heroes to be highlighted at Larks games throughout the season.
Make sure to read all 25 of our heroes full stories in Bismarck Magazine!
We invite you to join us at the ballpark on six incredible game nights as we turn the Hidden Hometown Heroes into the true legends they are.
Hidden Hometown Hero Nights
Celebrate with us! Larkstickets.com
June 21st: Bob Olzweski, Vietnam Veteran
Bob was born in a little town called Sanger, North Dakota. In April of 1967 Robert entered the Military. He then spent a year in Vietnam. On the morning of March 7th, 1969 Bob’s Army unit started receiving incoming rounds from the enemy. They located the enemy in the mountains. Bob was shot in the side and wounded in his left leg and portion of his back. When the fire fight was finally over a medic saw blood running down Roberts leg. “Within a week I was patched up and returned to my unit for more combat duty,” explains Bob.
June 30th: Duane Aman, Bismarck Cancer Center Volunteer Driver
Duane started driving for RSVP in 2011 bringing patients to the Bismarck Cancer Center for their appointments. In 2012 his wife was diagnosed with lymphoma and in 2103 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He decided to take some time off with all the traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After his wife’s passing in August of 2015 Duane decided to get back behind the wheel. “I told her I would keep up as long as I could drive others to treatment,” says Duane. On average, he gives 30 rides a month free of charge.
July 7th: Mark and Mary Meier, Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe
In 2009 Mark felt a calling from the Lord to quit his job and start a café for those less fortunate. Heavens Helpers Soup Café was started from this calling. This is a diner where people can come in, seat themselves for a meal. Volunteers serve these men and women with respect and dignity. The menu includes a couple homemade soups and sandwiches per day. There is a dessert bar with hot coffee served alongside.
July 28th: Bismarck Fire Department
These firefighters are every day heroes deservedly celebrated for courageously doing their job. What is not as public and not as headline making is the way Bismarck firefighters are making a difference in our community in ways that have little to do with putting out fires, but are just as impactful. One of Fire Captain Joey Vander Vliet’s favorite ways to get out into our community is through fire safety education. “We like to educate the public on fire safety in many ways,” Vander Vliet explains “Public education in our schools and basic fire safety to keep families protected are just a few of the ways we can make a difference.”
August 5th: Julie Schirado, Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue
Julie Schriado is the founder of Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue, a non-profit that focuses on helping animals find a home. This organization is completely volunteer run and was founded to help alleviate animal euthanasia within impounds. Julie’s work started long ago by volunteering at the Central Dakota Humane Society. Julie was shocked at how many of the impounds were full and was shocked by the euthanizing of animals. In 2015 she began the Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue, and helping animals become fostered and adopted by loving and caring families.
August 10th: Susan Schwieters , Lillians
“I think back to almost 10 years ago and I wonder why did I started Lillians? It wasn’t because I had retail on my radar, was thinking more about hospitality,” says Susan. She started to do little fundraisers also known as “Diva Nights” where she would give back a percentage of sales to the cause. “The events were not raising thousands of dollars but we were gathering a group of women together. Friends of a woman who was sick or if they were making a trip for treatment. The money we would raise in a night wasn’t going to change much but the social healing was a big part of it,” says Susan. “These nights proved that you can gather friends together to say we are behind you, hoping it would give the person courage to wake up the next morning and keep trying.”
Visit larkstickets.com to join us in celebrating these Hidden Hometown Heroes!
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The Bismarck Larks are a proud affiliate of the Northwoods League, the proven leader in development of elite college baseball players. The Larks mission is to use FUN to make a difference in the lives of our families, businesses, players, and communities we serve. This is accomplished with a commitment to putting fans first and providing high quality family entertainment at affordable prices. In 2017, the Larks sold out 27 of their 36 home games in Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field, and were named the Northwoods League’s Organization of the Year
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
