‘How Fargo of You’

By Melissa Marek-Donahue

Fargoans, and residents of the upper Midwest generally, seem to lack a certain cynicism about the worth of others that encapsulates much of the rest of America. And that’s just what Marc de Celle, author of the locally popular book “How Fargo of You: Stories from the Northern Prairie That People Who Haven’t Been Here Will Never Believe”, wants to share with those outside of the “Northern Prairie Culture,” and remind those of us who live inside of it what makes us special.

Originally published last November, with a third edition out just in time for Christmas this year, Marc de Celle has friends across the region, from Dennis Walaker, mayor of Fargo, to café owners in small-town North Dakota who sing the praises of “How Fargo of You”. The book describes the genuinely caring actions of many who populate our community, while acknowledging that this tradition of kindness needs to be nurtured and adapted to new situations Fargo encounters with the growth of the city and the new people calling Fargo home. Although Marc is relatively new to Fargo, moving to the area from Arizona in the summer of 2005, his gregarious personality has allowed him to adopt the Fargo culture without much effort. The proof: when receiving an unsolicited email from CHARISM, a nonprofit in Fargo that he was only tangentially aware of, he immediately offered to meet with the organization – and when he heard about the work the organization does with low-income and New American children and families in the city, he didn’t hesitate to offer his support.

CHARISM has been referred to as “the best nonprofit in Fargo you’ve never heard of.” Part of the community for the last 17 years, CHARISM has offered a variety of programs for low-income children and families living in two of the most in-need Fargo neighborhoods: McCormick Park and Stonebridge. With the influx of refugees to Fargo over the past decades, many of those who live in these areas are new to America, coping with the struggles and seeking to thrive in a foreign land with a different language and climate, as well as dealing with poverty.

CHARISM is located right in the communities it serves, with resource centers located in the heart of McCormick Park and Stonebridge, lifting the burden of transportation for those families who would otherwise be unable to receive support. Currently, CHARISM offers three areas of youth programming: (1) an after-school program for elementary school children, focusing on homework assistance, literacy, arts, and health and wellness, while closely engaging the students with college-aged mentors who build positive relationships, helping to meet the emotional needs of the children, (2) middle school programs at Carl Ben Eielson and Discovery, working closely with the youth who find themselves on the fringe to build self-esteem and leadership while discussing relationships, planning for the future, and avoiding risky behaviors like alcohol and drug use, and (3) summer day-camps in June and July – one in partnership with the Fargo Park District to serve low-income children, and one with the Fargo Public Schools to develop English skills with identified ELL students. CHARISM also offers community-building programs such as a supplemental food program with Daily Bread of the Great Plains Food Bank, holiday parties and events, and support for a community garden initiated by the Bhutanese community in Fargo.

Of course, in the current economy, even in organizations making a real, positive, and important difference in the lives of others, funding is always an issue. This Tuesday, December 6th, Barnes & Noble will host a book fair for CHARISM, where a percentage of any purchase will go to CHARISM as long as the customer presents the voucher with CHARISM’s book fair information, or simply tells his or her cashier that the purchase is for the CHARISM book fair. And that’s where Marc comes in. Already a fan of Marc and his book, CHARISM hoped that the popularity of “How Fargo of You” and the proximity to Christmas would draw in customers looking to buy copies of his book for holiday gifts. CHARISM asked Marc if he would be willing to have a book signing at Barnes & Noble on the day of the book fair. Almost immediately, Marc agreed to help CHARISM, and offered one better – he would perform a reading from his book as well. Marc states, “I think CHARISM exemplifies what I call a Fargo approach to life, that is, helping simply because you see someone needs help.” In the same way, Marc will be helping CHARISM, and in turn all of the children and families who receive mentoring and support through CHARISM. These are the compassionate and trusting responses we hope to find in our neighbors, and we are so pleased that Marc and his family joined our community and share Fargo with us.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “How Fargo of You” book signing with Marc de Celle and CHARISM fundraising event
WHERE: Book reading and signing at Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd Street South, Fargo
WHEN: 6:00 – 7:30 pm on Tues., Dec. 6
Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

[Editor’s Note: Melissa Marek-Donahue is the Resource Development Coordinator at CHARISM. Visit CHARISM at http://www.charism.org for more information.]