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Perham residents honored
Published 3:06pm Wednesday, April 14, 2010The Rev. Phil Holtan of Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham is an example of a person who is humbled at receiving an award for humanitarian volunteerism. At the same time, Holtan and others like him know that the award may give publicity to their cause and prompt others to join in these worthwhile efforts.
“That’s certainly true for Feed My Starving Children, a wonderful organization,” said the Rev. Holtan on Monday. Last week he was honored at the annual Perham Leadership Hall of Fame award banquet along with Allen Arvig and Dennis Happel.
The “Feed My Starving Children” project in March of 2009, headed by the Rev. Holtan, involved the packaging of 435,888 meals that later were distributed in developing countries.
“Kids from our church had previously been involved with service trips to assist Feed My Starving Children packing stations in the Twin Cities,” said Holtan. “They came back to Perham and were so excited. I thought to myself, ‘Why couldn’t we do something like this right here in Perham?’ Kids and adults got behind this effort.”
Giving a boost to the 2009 project in Perham was a pep talk from Feed My Starving Children Executive Director Mark Crea, who has a cabin in nearby Vergas.
“This year, in 2010, we’re taking a year off and are getting other communities in Otter Tail County involved,” said the Rev. Holtan. “Next year, in 2011, our goal is to pack one million meals here in Perham, for distribution overseas.”
The pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church has been involved with the fight against hunger for many years, but with Feed My Starving Children projects for only about three years. The work in Perham has prompted similar projects in Minot, N.D. and Hawley.
Holtan’s charitable work is not confined to just fighting hunger. He’s also worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity and other endeavors.
He grew up on a farm near Forest City, Iowa, attended Luther Seminary and interned at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Guadalajara, Mexico. He speaks Spanish, has served as a pastor in Mexico and has taken groups of students and adults to assist people in Latin America.
The Hall of Fame awards go to individuals who exhibit strong leadership for specific projects or events, such as Holtan, Arvig and Happel.
Dennis Happel
When the Perham hospital board needed a person to complete the financing package for the new Perham Memorial Hospital and Clinic, the board called upon Dennis Happel. In simple terms, the Perham resident gets things done. He’s leading the effort to raise the final $3.5 million.
“We’re close to reaching our goal,” said Happel. “I’m fortunate to have four key people on the committee who help me with the heavy lifting. The hospital and clinic constructions should be completed by fall 2011.”
Happel, an attorney, has a long history of involvement in civic projects.
The Perham hospital project was the latest of numerous campaigns he’s headed in recent years. He previously helped raise over $2.5 million for the Perham Area Community Center. Next was chairing a committee for expansion for a state-of-the-art walking track and 20,000 square-foot gym.
If that weren’t enough, Happel served on the fundraising committee for the $1.5 million Perham Lakeside Golf Course Clubhouse construction. He’s also active in Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce and their many projects.
The Vietnam veteran and VFW and American Legion member is active with the East Otter Tail County Historical Society and the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. He serves as city attorney for both New York Mills and Perham.
Allen Arvig
Under Allen Arvig’s leadership, Arvig telephone companies has grown significantly. The family of companies is now known as Arvig Communication Systems or ACS. He took the lead with the company diversifying into related industries, enhancing existing services offered by ACS, and paving the way for job creation in the Perham area.
The companies include a call center, directory publishing company, telecommunications utility locating company and others. This has resulted in solid economic development.
He’s active in the rural telecommunications industry. On the state level, Arvig serves on the board of directors and executive committee for Onvoy. He’s on the board of the Minnesota Telephone Association (MTA) and received the 21st Century Industry Leadership Award in the year 2000.
On the national level, Arvig has served on the board for the Alliance for Telecommunication Solution Industry (ATSI). The Perham business leader served as president of OPASTCO (Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunication Companies).
