There are many ways to describe Battle Lake’s Steve Nelson: husband, father, grandfather, cancer survivor, former business owner, consultant, retiree, and storyteller.
For the telling of this particular story, we’ll call him a philanthropist.
Steve worked with many others in the Blanche/Otter Tail Lake area a few years back to raise the funds necessary to save 58 acres of woods and paths nestled between the two lakes. The site was initially developed as a DNR walleye rearing pond that leaked water! Project supporters turned to West Central Initiative to help raise funds to save the land from being sold at public auction. Now, outdoor recreation opportunities from the Rearing Pond Trails are available to current and future generations.
“Working with Steve Nelson on the Rearing Pond Project was sheer joy. Watching someone so informed and passionate about something is truly an inspiration. And, to quote Steve, who enlisted the help of others and rallied the Blanche and Otter Tail Lake communities, ‘It was the right thing to do,’ so they did it!”
– Rebecca Petersen, West Central Initiative Director of Development
Currently, Steve and many others, as he’s quick to say – it’s not about me, it’s about we – are anticipating a groundbreaking this spring on some impressive significant improvements to nearby Glendalough State Park. The construction of a new trail center and an expanded trail system wouldn’t have been possible without donations from individuals, businesses, and corporations who embraced the vision of a better experience for future park visitors.
Such “place-based living” enhancements make the region more attractive to visitors, people looking to relocate, and even businesses that can tout our quality of life.
So why get involved in such projects?
Steve shrugs, “Some of the dues you pay for living in a small town or rural area are getting involved in your community.”
Steve’s roots are in this region, having grown up in Wadena. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead, worked a few years in the corporate world, owned John Deere stores in Wadena and Henning, and spent 25 years in the management consulting industry. In 2015, Steve and his wife Jan retired to their home on Lake Blanche.
He is still asked to do a little consulting occasionally, but four primary areas of interest have kept Steve busy during retirement. Number one, his family, and especially his ten grandchildren. Two and three, his involvement with the Rearing Pond Trails and Glendalough.
And four, together with other members of his family, advocates on behalf of cancer patients and their caregivers, focusing on the benefits of genetic testing and regular screenings. He’s a two-time survivor and active with national organizations fundraising, lobbying, and giving hope to others afflicted with cancer.
So, he keeps busy. “I have all kinds of stuff to do in my retirement. I don’t have time to sit and look out the window,” he laughs. But he does admit he likes his Lake Blanche view!
What are some of his keys for successfully taking on fundraising for community projects?
For one, he says don’t go in with enthusiasm without anything to back it up. “You need to know what you’re talking about; you need to do your research,” he said. “You have to be prepared. And you need to be willing to ask others for help, without concern for who gets the credit when you’re successful.”
When asked whether his background in sales helps in fundraising, Steve takes a different approach. “These (his projects) are pretty easy stories to tell. Yeah, it’s selling. It’s presenting the case. But if you believe, really believe in what you’re selling (or advocating or raising money for), you’re not selling; you’re sharing. Do so with integrity and enthusiasm, and you will ultimately be successful.”
