HAM LAKE, Minn. – (Sept. 7, 2018) – Al Sannerud of Ham Lake was the winner of a statewide competition and honored last week at the State Fair. Al didn’t win for his pumpkin pie or raspberry jam. Al received the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award.
All 87 counties in Minnesota nominate a man and a woman for the statewide honor and it is believed that this was the first winner from Anoka County in decades. At 95 Sannerud is still going strong and is the executive director of Bikes for Kids. Bikes for Kids collects and refurbishes used bikes and gets them to those in need.
When he took over the helm of Bikes for Kids Sannerud moved the operations to a building on his farm property in Ham Lake. The growing non-profit quickly took over many more buildings.
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“At the end of 2016 we had taken in 2,300 bikes and gave away just short of 1,700,” said Sannerud.
Sannerud accepted a one thousand dollar donation to Bikes for Kids along with his award at a ceremony held at the State Fair. But, he doesn’t volunteer thousands of hours a year for the notoriety.
“For myself personally…I say halleluiah we made a difference in somebody’s life,” said Sannerud.
