Common Cents for the Common Good

Making a BIG difference in OUR communities

It only takes a few cents each month to make a big difference in our communities.

Common Cents is a non-profit entity operated separately from Red River Communications.

Those interested can also make a one-time contribution or a recurring contribution above and beyond the round-up amount.

Customers who wish to contribute to Common Cents can call our office at 866-553-8309 or email membersupport@redrivercomm.com.

Common Cents awards funds to local non-profit and community organizations, as well as offering emergency & medical assistance for local individuals. The board of directors meets quarterly to review applications, if you are interested in applying, please download and return the form below. 

Program Details:

  • The program is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who meet quarterly to review applications.
  • It awards funds to local non-profit and community organizations, as well as offering emergency & medical assistance for local individuals.
  • Common Cents is funded by our customers when they choose to round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average $0.40 per month. 
  • Nearly 63% of our customers contribute to Common Cents. We’ve set a goal to see 75% contribute by the end of 2022. 

$207,696.50

Donated since 2008 to causes in our Communities

2022

  • Richland-Wilkin Food pantry – $2,500 for building repairs
  • McLeod Historical Preservation Society – $750 for metal display signs
  • Fairmount Park Board – $1,000 for baseball field improvements
  • Hauge Memorial VFW Post 9067 (McLeod) – $500 for kitchen floor replacement

2021

Through November 2021:

  • Colfax Fire Department – $2,000 for specialty flashlights
  • Hankinson Sons of the Legion – $2,000 for an amphitheater
  • Mantador Memorial VFW – $500 to replace the flooring
  • Red River Sportsmen’s Club – $500 for trap building roofing
  • Richland-Wilkin Food Pantry – $1,000 for a scale and ramps
  • Sandhill Park Board – $500 for a horseshoe court
  • Southeast ND Community Theater – $500 for storage container
  • Valley Lake Boys’ Home – $500 for work boots & gloves
  • One individual – $500 for medical need

2020 

  • BIO Girls – Wyndmere – $1,000 for curriculum materials
  • Boys Scouts, Barnesville Troop 604 – $1,000 toward a trailer
  • Colfax Fire Department – $2,500 for turnout gear
  • Marketplace for Kids – $500 for virtual reality goggles
  • Richland-Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry – $2,500 to replace a freezer
  • Lidgerwood Daycare – $500 for playground equipment
  • Mooreton Sons of the Legion – $2,000 for winter coats
  • Wyndmere Senior Citizens – $1,500 for heating/AC unit

2019

  • Dakota Estates Retirement Center – $500 for electronic door opener
  • Mantador Fire Department – $1,500 for turnout gear
  • Marketplace for Kids – $500 for a 3D printer
  • Wilkin County Historical Society – $1,000 for country schoolhouse floor renovation
  • Mooreton Park Board – $1,500 for hockey/skating rink
  • Valley Lake Boys Home – $1,000 for rototiller, lawn mower and work boots
  • Bagg Bonanza Farm – $1,500 to repair large granary
  • Quilts of Valor, Red River Quilters – $500 for quilting materials
  • BIO Girls – Abercrombie – $1,000 for curriculum materials
  • Hankinson Fire Protection District – $2,500 to replace water truck
  • Lidgerwood Childcare – $1,000 for a dishwasher and children’s toilet
  • Four individuals – $500 each for medical expenses
2018

  • Bagg Bonanza Historical Farm – $1,125 for tables
  • City of Barnesville – $1,000 for a new park/playground in the Gilbertson Addition
  • Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership – $1,000 for home repairs in Clay and Wilkin counties
  • Marketplace for Kids – $800 for two virtual reality units
  • Two individuals, medical need – $500 each
2017

  • Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club – $494.50 for a replacement clay target thrower in Mooreton
  • Wyndmere Museum Foundation – $500 to finish the school house basement
  • Hankinson Fire Protection District – $2,000 for replacement fire truck
  • Bagg Bonanza Farm Historical Preservation Society – $500 for building repairs and upkeep
  • Mantador Fire Dept. – $2,000 for fire truck repair expenses
  • McLeod Preservations Historical Society – $1,000 for re-roofing the McLeod Depot
  • Wyndmere/Barney Ambulance –$1,000 for resuscitation mannequins
  • Colfax Park Board – $1,000 for new restrooms in shower house
  • Fairmount Park District – $1,000 for building repairs
  • CHI St Francis Foundation – $1,000 for sensory garden
  • Wyndmere-Barney Ambulance – $1,500 for an AED
  • Colfax Wold Softball – $500 for a grill for concessions
  • One individual, medical need – $500
  • Rollag Softball – $1,000 to purchase a lawn mower
  • Richland PTO – $500 for Missoula children’s theater
  • Marketplace for Kids – $500 for education day events
  • Richland Music Parents – $1,500 for stage lighting and sound equipment
  • Lidgerwood Park Board – $1,000 for new pool furniture
  • Abercrombie Park, Museum and Pavilion – $1,500 for Pavilion roofing project
  • Colfax Wold Softball Field – $900 for new bases and umpire equip
2016

  • Aber Park Board – $1,500 for baseball equipment
  • Barnesville Area Community Fund – $1,000 for a splash pad
  • Colfax Community Center – $1,000 to replace furnace
  • Colfax Softball – $500 for fast pitch softball equipment
  • Fairmount Park District – $1,000 to renovate park bathrooms
  • Fairmount Public School – $500 for phy-ed mats
  • Great Bend Park Board – $500 to replace ball diamond back stop fence
  • Hankinson Community Betterment Club – $750 for tent space, tables & chairs
  • Hankinson Legion/Friskop Learning Site – $1,500 for an orchard irrigation system
  • Immanuel Lutheran Early Child Care Center – $1,000 for classroom TVs and video equipment
  • Matt Kinneberg – $1,500 for a narcotics search dog for various authorities
  • Lidgerwood/Hankinson Rural Health Assn – $1,000 for building renovations
  • Lidgerwood Public School/NASP Archery – $500 for archery equipment and supplies
  • Lidgerwood Rural Ambulance Service – $1,000 for tables & chairs for training
  • Marketplace for Kids – $1,000 for Education Day supplies
  • Three Rivers Gymnastics – $1,000 for an air floor system
  • SEND Theatre – $1,000 for a sound system
  • Western MN Steam Threshers Reunion – $1,100 for an AED unit
  • Two individuals – $500 each for medical expenses & mobility equipment
September 2015

  • American Legion Post #153 (Barnesville), Reed Field project – $2,500 for ball field improvements
  • Bagg American Legion Post #153 (Barnesville), Reed Field project – $2,500 for ball field improvements
  • Humane Society of Richland-Wilkin Counties – $500 for fire security system
  • Mantador Fire Dept. – $1,000 to equip new fire truck
  • Sandhills Park Board – $1,500 for bathroom/shower facilities
  • Wyndmere Senior Citizens Center – $500 for building improvements
  • Wyndmere Museum Foundation – $600 for external renovations

June 2015

  • Barnesville Ambulance – $1,000 for new training mannequins
  • Bagg Bonanza Farm – $1,000 towards an elevator in the mule barn
  • Great Bend Park Board – $1,000 for park shelter improvements
  • Fairmount Park District – $1,000 for a disc golf course
  • Two individuals – $500 each for medical needs

Other 2015 Donations:

  • ACTIVE Task Force – $300 for activity totes for daycares
  • Bagg Bonanza Farm – $1,000 towards an elevator in the mule barn
  • Barnesville Ambulance – $1,000 for new training mannequins
  • Fairmount Park District – $1,000 for a disc golf course
  • Galchutt Sons of the American Legion – $500 to install water & repair bathroom at the ball diamond
  • Great Bend Park Board – $1,000 for park shelter improvements
  • Hankinson Community Betterment Club – $750 to purchase a large tent and tables
  • Hankinson Fire Protection District – $1,000 for air tanks and breathing apparatus
  • Wilkin County 4-H Robotics – $300 for robotics materials
  • Wyndmere Park Board – $1,000 for park/playground equipment
  • Four individuals – $500 each for medical needs
2014 Donations:

  • Abercrombie Park Board – $1,500 to replace ball diamond fence
  • Barnesville Fire Dept. – $500 for a water storage tank
  • Hankinson Industrial Development Corp. – $800 for a portable dance floor
  • Hankinson Little Theatre – $500 for space rental
  • Hankinson Public Library – $500 to automate card catalog
  • Hawley Golden Riders – $630 for safety vests
  • Lidgerwood Progressive Development Corp. – $500 for handicapped-accessible bathrooms at public library
  • McLeod Historical Preservation Society – $2,500 to complete schoolhouse addition
  • St. Gerard’s Community of Care – $1,000 to modernize nurses’ station
  • Western MN Steam Threshers Reunion – $1,500 for wheelchair ramps
  • Two individuals – $500 each for medical expenses
  • Bagg Bonanza Historical Society – $1,000 for electrical wiring
  • Barnesville Area Helpers – $350 for a computer and software
  • Caring Hands of ND – $1,000 for new Lidgerwood senior citizens building
  • Colfax Park Board – $1,000 for playground equip. & sidewalk
  • Fairmount Park Board – $1,000 for new baseball outfield fence & backstop
  • Great Bend Park Board – $1,500 to build shed for park supplies
  • Hankinson American Legion – $500 to install heat in learning center
  • Hankinson Volunteer Fire Dept. – $1,000 for Polaris Ranger for firefighting
  • Hankinson Youth Football – $600 for new helmets
  • Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership – $1,000 for two home repairs
  • Mantador VFW/Community Center – $750 for heat pumps
  • Richland County Wildlife Club – $500 for archery equipment
  • SEND Theatre – $600 for stage lighting
  • Wyndmere Fitness Center – $1,000 for AED
  • Wyndmere High School – $500 for guest speaker
  • Wyndmere Museum Foundation – $1,000 to relocate the Danton school
  • Wyndmere Teen Center – $500 for a furnace
  • One individual received $500 for medical expenses.
  • Abercrombie Volunteer Fire & Rescue – $500 for pagers
  • Bagg Bonanza Historical Farm – $500 to reside Main House
  • Barney VFW Hall Foundation – $1,500 for furnace/AC
  • Galchutt American Legion – $1,000 for baseball field improvements
  • Hankinson Park District – $1,000 to build softball and youth ball fields
  • Hankinson Volunteer Ambulance Service – $1,000 for a power cot
  • McLeod Historical Society – $1,500 for museum renovations & fire door
  • Mooreton Fire Department – $1,000 for fire nozzles
  • Richland High School Football Field Committee – $1,000 for football field improvements
  • United Way of Richland-Wilkin – $500 for school backpack food program
  • Great Bend Park Board – $1,500 for repair of baseball diamond fence
  • Hankinson Little Theater in the Park – $500 for production group fee
  • Hankinson American Legion Outdoor Learning Ctr – $1,500 for floor heat boiler
  • Mooreton Sportsman’s Club – $1,000 for building electrical service
  • Wolverton Fire Dept. & Rescue Squad – $500 for radio equipment
  • Wyndmere Fire Department – $500 for washer & dryer
  • Wyndmere Youth Football – $750 for helmets
  • Two individuals – $500 each for medical & disability-related expenses
  • Aber Morning Coffee – $1,000 for kitchen cabinets
  • Abercombie Park Board – $1,000 for ball diamond dugouts
  • Bagg Bonanza Historical Society – $2,500 for finishing of mule barn
  • Barney Fire Responders – $1,280 for portable radio
  • Colfax Community Center – $500 for kitchen cabinets
  • Colfax Fire & Rescue – $1500 for Jaws of Life
  • Fairmount Park Board – $1000 for playground equipment
  • Hankinson Fire District – $2500 for fire truck equipment
  • Hankinson Park Board – $1,000 for city park facilities
  • Mooreton Sportsman’s Club – $500 for building
  • Richland High School – $1,000 for running track
  • Tewaukon Rod & Gun Club – $750 for boat landing repair
  • Wilkin Co. Sheriff’s Posse – $750 for safety equipment
  • Wyndmere Fire Dept. – $1,500 for an overhead water fill system
  • Wyndmere High School – $500 for speaker appearances
  • Abercrombie Fire Dept. – $1,500 for furnace in apparatus garage
  • American Legion Post 53-Breckenridge – $300 for baseball uniforms
  • Barnesville Ambulance Service – $300 for specialty gloves
  • City of Hankinson Community Center – $2,500 to build new center
  • Colfax Park Board – $800 for siding on pool & cafe
  • Galchutt Sons of the Legion – $500 to start junior shooting sports
  • Hankinson American Legion Learning Center – $1,500 for restroom fixtures
  • Hankinson Senior Citizens – $1,000 for shingles
  • Hawley Area Fire Dept. – $500 for pagers
  • Lidgerwood Golf Board – $500 for clubhouse shingles
  • Lidgerwood Progressive Dev. Corp. – $1,000 for basketball court at the school
  • Mantador Fire District  – $500 for siding and shingles
  • McLeod VFW Community Hall – $750 for shingles
  • McLeod Historical Society – $1,000 for schoolhouse shingles
  • Mooreton Park District – $500 for new lawnmower
  • St.Gerard’s Nursing Home – $1,000 to handicapped-accessible remodeling
  • VFW Post in Barnesville – $1,000 for handicapped-accessible entry
  • Wilkin Co. 4-H Shooting Sports – $500 for field trip
  • Wyndmere-Barney Ambulance – $1,500 for CPAP machine
  • Three individuals – $200 each for emergency & medical expenses
  • Abercrombie Fire Dept. – $500 for a specialty chainsaw
  • Aber Park Museum – $500 for tables & chairs in pavilion
  • Bagg Bonanza Historical Society – $500 to paint mule barn
  • Barney Park Board – $1,000 for playground equipment
  • Colfax Softball – $1,000 for fence repair
  • Fairmount Community Center – $750 for fire exit doors
  • Hank. American Legion – $1,500 for outdoor learning center & veterans memorial
  • Hankinson Public Library – $500 to purchase books
  • Hawley Emerg. Response Team – $250 for pagers & helmets
  • St. Gerard’s Nursing Home – $1,000 to remodel resident dining room
  • Walcott-Colfax Fire Dept. – $500 for washing machine
  • Wilkin Co. 4-H Horse Project – $500 for riding arena restroom facilities
  • Wyndmere Park Board – $500 for playground equipment
  • Richland Elem. Advisory Board – $1,000 for playground equipment
  • Mooreton Fire Dept. – $1,000 for fire equipment

Board of Directors

A separate, volunteer Board of Directors comprised of Red River Communication’s members oversees the Common Cents fund. It meets quarterly to review applications and approve donations.

Terri Tschakert

Chairperson - Kent

Elizabeth Thiele

Vice-Chairperson - Great Bend

Andrea Haugen

Secretary - Lidgerwood/Wyndmere

LouAnn Lee

Abercrombie

Amy Bredman

Barnesville

Donna Berg

Fairmount/Hankinson

Pam Krump

Colfax

Shelly Wolf

Mooreton

Julie Hansen

Rollag