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Capt. Willibald Bianchi comes home

Eighty years after his death, Congressional Medal of Honor winner Capt. Willibald Bianchi is coming home to New Ulm. Bianchi received the Medal of Honor for actions taken Feb. 3, 1942, in the Philippines. Before he could receive the medal, he was captured by the Japanese and was a POW for two years. On Jan. 9, 1945, Bianchi was transported on a prison ship called the Enoura Maru that was mistakenly sunk by the United States Army Air Force, resulting in the deaths of several hundred Allied POWs, including Bianchi. Following the war, his remains were not conclusively identified until last month. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Bianchi’s remains were positively identified through DNA testing. As a result he will be returned to New Ulm and be given the full burial with honors. This is wonderful news for Bianchi’s relatives in New Ulm, but also a powerful message about our country’s dedication to bringing all who served home.

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NUMAS Haus continues supporting those in need

On Thursday, NUMAS Haus hosted its annual fundraiser at the Royal Oaks Event Center. The fundraisers goal is to cover operational costs for the shelter. Once again, the local community showed support for the shelter for unhoused women and children. Since it started in 2016, NUMAS has aided 129 women and 106 children with a 90-day program that assists occupants with urgent needs like food, shelter, clothing and provides skills for achieving and sustaining housing stability. This is an impressive feat considering from the beginning, NUMAS only had room for three families at one time. However, there is hope the shelter could expand to accommodate eight families by the end of 2026. NUMAS is working to renovate the former First United Methodist church into additional space. With homelessness continuing to be on the rise, the ongoing work of NUMAS Haus deserves all the more praise.

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100 Women Who Care gathers Sunday

New Ulm 100 Women Who Care is a bi-annual gathering is back. The group will meet at the New Ulm Country Club at 6 p.m. Sunday to award an area non-profit around $10,000. The idea behind the 100 Women Who Care program is to assist local non-profits.

Each woman who attends the event, pledges to give $100 to whichever non-profit is selected during the meeting. Each attendee may nominate an organization to receive the funds. Three nominated non-profits are selected at random to be considered for the funds.

The 100 Women meet twice a year. In April, they selected B the Light to receive $10,000. A year ago, Pro Kinship was voted to receive the award. The 100 Women program is a great way to help local non-profits, but also raise awareness for other organizations in need of help. The bi-annual meeting schedule helps spread out help to many worthy organizations.