CARE directory is going online

The CARE directory will soon be on-line.

CARE or Coordinating Area Resources Effectively is a collaborative group that has issued directories for the past 15 years.

This year, money from the Iniatiative Foundation's Health Communities Project allowed CARE to contract with Judy Kidder to update and enter basic information from the directory onto Brainerd Dispatch Web sites offered free to non-profit organizations.

Interested persons may visit the site at http://cg.zip2/lakesarea or link from The Dispatch site, brainerddispatch.com.

"We are beginning with CARE members but will be entering as many groups as we can," Kidder said. "Later the groups may want to update their own information but we can get them started."

A member of the Healthy Communities Project, Kidder sees the Web site fulfilling its goal of having a one-stop location to access activities and services within the county.

"The Care Directory has been a wonderful source," Kidder said. "We are taking it one step further with the addtional technology of the Internet., yet still producing the book for those who need an in-hand copy. We hope to make it more accessible."

The enlarged and tabbed hardbound edition of the Care Directory is available with an annual $30 membership with CARE. Payment of an additional $2.50 for shipping may be made to Nancy Hirshenberger at 4321 CedarDale Lane, Baxter, Minn., 56425. Or new members may stop at the Crow Wing County Agricultural Extension Office and pick up the book. Additional copies are $20 to members.

CARE encourages businesses to join as a service to their employees. Area government officials and representatives also use the resource. Membership forms may be printed from the lakesarea Web site.