Lions walk Flandrau for diabetes awareness
Participants make their way along the trail during the 12th annual New Ulm Diabetes Walk on Saturday at Flandrau State Park. The Lions' Strides event raises funds for the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation. (Photo by Amy Zents)
New Ulm Lions Club volunteers Glen Setterholm, left, Jedd Edel, center, and his wife Emily Edel, right, wearing special vests at Flandrau State Park. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Families, friends and pets gather for a group photo in front of the stone wall at Flandrau State Park during the New Ulm Diabetes Walk. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Audra Oswald and her family give high-fives after attending Saturday's walk at Flandrau State Park to support her 15-year-old Ben who is type one diabetic. Pictured from left, Jack, Brian, Ben, Lauren and Audra Oswald. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Participants make their way along the trail during the 12th annual New Ulm Diabetes Walk on Saturday at Flandrau State Park. The Lions' Strides event raises funds for the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation. (Photo by Amy Zents)
New Ulm Lions Club volunteers Glen Setterholm, left, Jedd Edel, center, and his wife Emily Edel, right, wearing special vests at Flandrau State Park. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Families, friends and pets gather for a group photo in front of the stone wall at Flandrau State Park during the New Ulm Diabetes Walk. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Audra Oswald and her family give high-fives after attending Saturday's walk at Flandrau State Park to support her 15-year-old Ben who is type one diabetic. Pictured from left, Jack, Brian, Ben, Lauren and Audra Oswald. (Photo by Amy Zents)
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NEW ULM -- It was a beautiful fall morning at Flandrau State Park on Saturday for the 12th annual New Ulm Lion’s Club Diabetes Walk.
Families began arriving early, filling the parking area. At the park entrance, Roger Klockziem was at the gate welcoming people and getting them parking permits.
The walk is part of the Lions’ Strides program, which promotes diabetes awareness and raises funds for diabetes-related efforts. Proceeds benefit the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation.
New Ulm Lions Club volunteers were on the trail to greet walkers, wearing special vests. Among them were Glen Setterholm, Jedd Edel and his wife, Emily Edel, working together as volunteers. Setterholm said he was substituting for Bob Schellinger.
“We’re all with the New Ulm Lions Club. We’re all volunteers,” Setterholm said.
Setterholm said the turnout appeared to be larger than last year, with a steady stream of families and friends starting out together as one big group on the trail.
Emily Edel helped direct walkers at the start of the route.
“Yeah, it’s probably a half mile," Edle said, "just follow the yellow signs and there’s arrows and everything.”
Among those walking were Audra Oswald and her family, there to support her 15-year-old son, Benn.
“Our son is type-one diabetic, so we came to support Benny,” Oswald said.
Type-one diabetes is a condition in which the body does not make insulin. It is typically diagnosed in children and young adults.
Oswald was joined by her husband, Brian, and their children, Ben, Jack and Lauren. She said the fall morning was ideal for the walk.
“It’s perfect,” she said. “We usually walk with friends and family."
She said the route is short and refreshing, taking about 25 to 30 minutes depending on pace.
The Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation supports efforts to find a cure for diabetes and supports diabetes-related research and programs.
For the Oswald family, the walk is a way to start the day together while joining other families in raising awareness. Oktoberfest was not a deterrent to the turnout.
“Start the morning off here, and then we’ll go downtown,” Oswald said.
Donations can be made through freewill contributions or by scanning a QR code for secure online giving. Freewill donations can be sent to the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation, 801 N Payne St., New Ulm, MN 56073.