Photo: Dianne Polasik
After Dianne Polasik earned a nursing degree from the University of Iowa, she says she came to Minnesota, “saw all those lakes, and stayed.” That was in 1974. Polasik and her husband, Tom, now live in Stillwater, a place they love equally for its scenic beauty and connected community.
“I have a great respect for equity and some of the challenges families face,” says Polasik, a retired school nurse and tireless community volunteer. “But then I also just really believe in community. What’s our community doing? What’s it planning for the future? What are the environmental issues? We get involved in things like that.”
A St. Croix Valley Foundation fund advisor, Polasik considers giving to be one of her greatest joys and an important way to express her support of education, environmental issues, children and families.
“Look at the things our world needs,” Polasik says. “There are so many things you can give to, and you just have to find your own passion. Giving is important, and the world needs it—and kindness, responsibility, equity and equality. I want [my grandchildren] to grow up with those qualities, but where they give is going to be their choice, just like it’s been mine.”
Alauna Yust is the marketing communications manager at the St. Croix Valley Foundation. Learn more about ways to give where you live at scvfoundation.org.
