09/24/2026
How lucky are we to have an organization like the Forward Health Foundation in the Deer River community?!
It's an honor to be given the opportunity to work with them on this incredible initiative.
We are extremely grateful for our partnership with CHS, Inc., including the CHS Foundation and CHS Petroleum, who came together to match our original donation (plus some). Thank you for giving back to rural communities like ours!
When the Community Comes Together, Great Things Happen!
At the beginning of 2026, the Forward Health Foundation launched the Gas Card Assistance Program in support of the Jim Tarbell Cancer Care Fund. This program began through the generosity of local community members Doug & Elise Widen, with additional support from Woodland Bank employees.
Over the first six months, this program has helped numerous patients with the cost of transportation to critical medical appointments. What started as a community driven effort has now grown into a program with the support needed to provide greater longevity and continued assistance for patients in our community.
We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of:
• Northern Star Cooperative Services — $2,500 donation
• Cenex Harvest States Foundation — $2,500 matching donation
• Cenex Harvest States Petroleum — $300 in additional gas cards
Together, these contributions are helping strengthen and sustain the Gas Card Assistance Program, ensuring that patients facing cancer treatment can receive support with transportation when they need it most.
This is what community support looks like. One person gives. Another steps forward. An organization matches that generosity. And together, we create something that makes a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Pictured from left to right:
Darin Tweten (CHS Inc.), Isaac Brown (CHS Inc.), Kevin King (Executive Director, Forward Health Foundation), Dave DeLawyer (Board Member, Forward Health Foundation), Brad Box (Northern Star Cooperative Services), Judy Dimich (Board Chair, Forward Health Foundation), Nikki Osse (Northern Star Cooperative Services), Gwenn Smith (Board Member, Forward Health Foundation), and Sarah Bellefy (Northern Star Cooperative Services).
