Tourism Blog

Meeting the challenges

Many other early obstacles created challenges for the Sertoma Club as the members tried to create this brilliant light display. How would they create the electrical infrastructure to support it? How would they raise funds to help finance the project? How would they gain enough volunteer support to build and sustain this effort?

Led by the countless hours of dedication by Mau, Augustinack and fellow Sertoman Lori Rubin, who helped sell the concept to community groups, the Sertoma Club met and exceeded every hurdle furled its way.

“Partnerships were such a key,” Augustinack said, noting the support of Brainerd Public Utilities and Jim’s Electric in building the electrical infrastructure, as just two examples of the tremendous community support for this daunting task.

Rubin agreed partnerships among community and business groups and faith in the Sertoma Club helped launch this undertaking, which took more than two years to coordinate.

“It was a huge undertaking,” Rubin said. She recalled the tremendous leap of faith made by the first business sponsors in making a financial commitment to this cause based on the vision of the Sertoma Club.