“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney
Back in 2013 Jackie Jenkins and Tiffany Steiner quit talking and started doing. They brought together a group of like-minded individuals in the community who wanted to make a difference. The result was the Bakken BBQ – a family friendly event with all-you-can-eat BBQ, cold beverages, entertainment, activities for kids, a live auction and prizes. “There’s so much work that goes into these events, it become an emotional event that connects with the community” Tiffany Steiner.
This group certainly lives their mission to inspire hope and strengthen our community empowering and improving the lives of our neighbors facing hardships. In October, the group donated $70,000 to Make-A-Wish North Dakota. During the past ten years, they have raised over a half million dollars for Make-A-Wish North Dakota, Relay for Life and other local charities – a half mission dollars!
Large groups aren’t normally recognized through the Women Empowering Women Kudos program but it’s hard to ignore something as AMAZING as the work being done by this group. In addition to Jackie and Tiffany, members include Karen Rodakowski, Hope Hipfer, Lexi Gabbert, Kelly Braun, Art Brown, Kelsey Kuylen, Jeanine Tucker, Angie Decker, Mandie Jackson, Karolina Linn, Zach Keller, Justin Fridrich and Brianna Baker.
As the holidays approach we encourage everyone in our community to be inspired by the Bakken BBQ Charities group. We all can make a difference – sometimes because we just quit talking and begin doing.
Kudos is a program of the local nonprofit organization Women Empowering Women. The program recognizes the good works women do. These are women who’ve lived quietly, joyfully or creatively to influence our lives. They are an inspiration and deserve to be recognized for their efforts and impact. Women Empowering Women is dedicated to the collaboration of women to meet needs and helping women become the best versions of themselves.
