Staff photo by Fritz Busch The MRCI Bargain store in New Ulm donates $10,000 for MRCI client transportation costs Tuesday. From left, Dave Sell, Melissa Hudson, Carol Guggisberg, Elva Clyne and Neenha Heimer.

NEW ULM — MRCI (Mankato Rehabilitation Center Inc.) Bargain Store Manager Carol Guggisberg said what MRCI means to her at a volunteer appreciation breakfast at American Legion Post 132 Tuesday.

“To me, MRCI stands for many remarkable, caring individuals. Thanks to our volunteers for sharing their many talents, we are donating $10,000 today for MRCI client transportation costs. The store has donated $30,000 to MRCI client transportation in the last year,” she told volunteers.

“We are so blessed to have these people. Volunteers share their many talents including decorating the New Ulm Bargain store with unique displays, sewing doll clothing, mending donations, researching collectable values and growing plants to sell at the store. We get so many compliments about the store,” Guggisberg said.

She said New Ulm and Brown County are noted for caring volunteers in many organizations.

“I’d like to thank Alva Clyne who began volunteering for us when the first MRCI thrift store opened in 1997 next to Hy-Vee. We moved into the new (mini) mall on the hill in 2007 because we needed more room. Elva still volunteers,” said Guggisberg.

“All the MRCI Bargain store profits stay in New Ulm. They are designated for people with disabilities in the New Ulm area,” she said.

Carol Guggisberg thanked her husband Charles and his Milford Township construction company for building shelves at the New Ulm MRCI store.

She said more volunteers are always welcome.

MRCI Day Services Manager Melissa Hudson praised the work of the New Ulm MRCI facility that offers disabled services at a lower rate than other organizations.

MRCI CEO Casey Westhoff of Mankato thanked volunteers for everything they do.

“As long as we’re in business, we’ll continue providing services and support to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. We are the sixth-largest civic non-profit in Minnesota with a $160 million annual budget,” said Westhoff.

He said the new federal administration plans to cut $850 billion in health and human services.

“The need for our services continues to grow. However, There will be challenges with future funding. We’re hopeful we don’t have Medicaid and social services cuts. A big part of what I’m doing now is making sure our voice and those we serve are heard,” said Westhoff.

He said MRCI is challenged by a state budget deficit forecast several years into the future that is targeting health and human services with about $350 million in cuts.

“What the cuts truly means is uncertain. We continue to build our reserves. We’ll get through this. The work our volunteers do during this difficult time is very much appreciated,” said Westhoff.

For more information, visit www.mymrci.org.