OUR FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS

Vision Statement - What we want to see in the world

We envision renewing and restoring hope to those individuals and families in need. 
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Mission STATEMENT - What is our work

​Our mission is to demonstrate love and compassion by connecting furniture/household items with individuals and families in their time of crisis and challenge.
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PURPOSE STATEMENT - why we do OUR WORK

Our purpose is to fill a void in the community by helping transform a residence into a home.
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OUR core values - The rock of values we built upon

We are unwavering in our values as we came together to build the organization.  These values are the foundation and they manifest in all development and impacts of the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley.
Respect
Grace
Compassion
Generosity
Integrity
Humility

​OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES - Our guide as we connect, work, build, and evolve the furniture Mission of the Red River Valley

We take our values one step further and established guiding principles for all of our work.  We ensure that every action of the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley is filled with love and hope.
Faith-led
Transparency
Responsive
Connecting
Kindness
Perseverance

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OUR TEAM LEADING the concept to ACTION

Our Board of Directors came together​ with a shared idea of making an impact through kindness for those in need. Conversations grew relationships and relationships fueled ideas.  Soon, the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley was born.  With heartfelt compassion, this group volunteers their time, talents, and abilities to taking this organization from idea to reality.  They are always looking to connect with people in the community with ideas and passions in helping people.  Our mission is about making a residence a home, but it is also about hope and humanity.  We all can connect with that.

evert Van Engelenhoven, President

Evert was born and raised in Luverne, MN and graduated from Luverne High School in 1959, He is married to his wife Judy and has been married for 48 years. They have 2 sons and 1 daughter and 5 grandchildren.  They have lived in West Fargo since 1977. Evert is a retired insurance agent and was in the insurance industry for 52 years. He was a partner/owner and past president of Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance Agency in Fargo, ND. He was active in the Professional Insurance Agents Association of North Dakota and is a past president. Evert is an active member of Faith – Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo and has served on various boards and is a past president. He has been a volunteer for the American Red  Cross for a couple years and is a caseworker through out ND, SD and western MN, He is also a member of the Gateway Lions Club in Fargo. Interests include golf, yard work and is a retired runner and proud to have finished the Minneapolis Marathon 8 times.
"I joined Furniture Mission because God has blessed me in so many ways I feel a strong desire to help people less fortunate than myself."

Darrell Costain, VICE PRESIDENT

Darrell grew up in rural DeLamere, ND the middle son of a farm family. He graduated from Milnor, ND Public School and received an Associate Degree from ND School of Science in 1971. He transferred to the University of North Dakota and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in 1973. Darrell spent 38 years in foodservice, the last 16 years with US Foods in Grand Forks, ND as the VP of Merchandising and Marketing. He received several personal awards as did his division for outstanding performance in the area of vendor negotiations and overall profitability. Darrell retired in 2012. He has been married for 42 years and he and his wife Arlene have two grown children and four grandchildren with one more coming soon. They enjoy international travel and golfing and are active in their church. He is very involved with Lions International as a way to give back to others locally and internationally.
"I joined Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley because I felt a need to give back. By the grace of God many have been given tools that can help so many others less fortunate."

LeAnne DRESSEL, Secretary

LeAnne retired after 17 years as Parish Administrator at Faith✟Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo. She provided general oversight for day-to-day operations, including management of finances and personnel. Previously, she held positions in personal banking/consumer lending and as a consumer credit counselor. She remains active in retirement volunteering at Faith✟Journey and in the community. LeAnne has served as a committee member/treasurer for the West Fargo Area Community Program, a group organized to provide senior services and activities in West Fargo. She also served on the Board of Directors for Valley Senior Services, an organization providing services for area seniors to help maintain their independence. LeAnne grew up in Mayville, ND and attended Mayville State University. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for 50 years and have lived in West Fargo most of that time. They have two daughters and two granddaughters, all living in the area.  
​"I joined Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley after seeing first-hand how much this program was needed in our area. On Mother’s Day, 2019, a fire broke out in an elderly housing unit where friends of our family were living. Thankfully, our friends were not injured, but everything in their apartment had significant smoke or water damage leaving much of it unusable. They did not have renter’s insurance or the financial ability to replace everything needed and options were extremely limited. Two days after helping them move to temporary housing, I had a chat after church with Evert VanEngelenhoven. Evert told me about a local group of passionate people who were beginning a ministry to help families or individuals who, because of events beyond their control, needed furniture and other household items. My conversation with Evert genuinely felt like a ‘God’ moment and I knew immediately I wanted to be involved with this important mission."      

​​Paul lybeck, treasurer


Paul and his wife live in south Fargo and have three children and six grandkids. He is an owner/agent at Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance Agency where he has worked for the past 44 years. He was born in Fargo in 1953 and then raised in Moorhead, MN graduating from Moorhead High School and Concordia College. Paul was a long time member of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church where he spent 24 years on the church council including a term as President. In 2010 his family moved their membership to Atonement Lutheran Church in south Fargo. His lifetime hobby is fastpitch softball in which he participated for over 40 years and also was on many local, state and national committees for the sport.  In addition, he has served as the the executive director for several state, regional, national and international tournaments hosted by the Fargo-Moorhead Softball Association. Currently, Paul is a member of the North Dakota Softball Hall-of-Fame. Upon retirement from softball, he and his wife purchased a lake home on West Silent near Vergas, MN where they spend our leisure time in the summer.
"After 30 years in business together, Evert asked me to serve on an exploratory committee regarding bringing the Furniture Mission to our community.  One year later, I believe in this project with all my heart.  I see the Furniture Mission as the missing link that will locally change lives and bring hope to thousands of devastated individuals and disadvantaged families."

​​scott hildre, board member

Scott grew up in McVille, ND where his family owned the general store. He went to Mayville State College, University of North Dakota, Moorhead State University and Michigan State University. He worked in the field of special education at the Grafton State School and Harbor School in Moorhead, MN. He then took a job at Herbst Dept. Store at West Acres Mall and then with Richman Brother Clothing also at West Acres Mall. While with Richman Brothers he took that store to the number one store in growth out of 300 stores in the nation. He then became the assistant manager in charge of marketing for the West Acres Mall. Scott taught Sales and Marketing at Moorhead Technical Collage for 2 years. He then sold commercial real estate for the last 20 years. He is an active member of the Gateway Lions Club. He sits on the board of directors for a non-profit called Center, Inc.  He is a member of Atonement Lutheran Church. Scott is married to his wife Miriam and has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He retired in 2019 and enjoys time with friends and family. He is a coin collector and a wood carver.
"I joined the furniture mission because of a trip I took to South 
Dakota and was exposed to the real need that many people had for gently used furniture. I had never thought about the hundreds of families that had lost everything,and we're trying to make a home for them selves, or the homeless families that were looking for a new beginning. I needed to try to help if I could. Furniture Mission is a way that I can do that."

CHristy dauer, BOARD MEMBER

Christy is a Program Manager for the North Dakota Women’s Business Center and is based in the Fargo area. A native of West Fargo, she is a sales and marketing professional with over a decade of successful experience in expanding client relationships. Christy specializes in sales and marketing to make meaningful relationships. Her smile has been called contagious and her laughter fills a room. Inspired by her parents at the age of six, Christy has a passion of helping others by volunteering and giving back to local non-profits. Christy lives in West Fargo with her husband and two boys, Chorkie named Tyra and Guinea Pig.
"I am passionate about the community and loved the concept of helping those facing a crisis. When Darrel and Evert approached me about joining them in a brand new non-profit and as a passionate lover of this community, I seized the opportunity to join in!"

​Keven kercher, BOARD MEMBER

Keven currently works as an Associate Attorney at the law firm of Ohnstad Twichell,P.C. , in West Fargo, North Dakota. Previously he served as a military engineer and then as a military lawyer in the Army for over a 20 year career, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Keven grew up in West Fargo and attended West Fargo High School. After high school, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Keven’s church as a youth was Faith + Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo, ND, which is a few blocks from his childhood home. After retiring from the service, Keven and his family returned to the West Fargo area and Keven reconnected with the church. He presently serves on the Church Council and Call Committee. Keven enjoys exploring the outdoors and spending time with his wife Sara and his two daughters Megan and Brianna.
"I joined Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley because the organization provides an opportunity to help our neighbors by ensuring they have a suitable home in their time of need."

HEATHER HUOTARI, BOARD MEMBER

Heather is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) working for Eide Bailly in their Business Outsourcing and Strategy Group. Inspired by her dad’s entrepreneurial spirit, she attended NDSU to earn degrees in both Accounting and Management with hopes of making an impact in the small business community. Heather now has many years’ experience as a professional in the accounting industry and enjoys cultivating small businesses successes by helping them leverage technology to obtain real-time financial insights; helping them make business decisions. Her passion to help others succeed in this way seamlessly translates to the non-profit community where she enjoys volunteering and giving back any way she can. In her spare time, Heather loves spending time with her husband and daughter, heading to the lakes on the weekends (particularly in the warm summer months), and relaxing with a good book or Netflix.
When I heard about the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley, I was excited to get involved and help families that are going through a crisis. I’m passionate about or community and excited to make a positive impact through this mission! 

OUR COMMITTEE OF SUPPORT -

The Furniture Mission also has Committees that support our mission and efforts by giving of the resources of time and talent and volunteerism.  They help the Board advance the mission and they help in areas of their strengths.  We are always looking to add people that can help the Board bring home and hope to individuals and families in our community.  

Paul Fleming, committee member   

Paul is a Financial Advisor and a member of the wealth management team at Bell Bank in Fargo, ND. A native of Albert Lea, Mn, he attended Mankato State University and graduated with a B.S. degree majoring in Finance and Management with a minor if Economics. Paul worked for Kraft Foods as a Sales Representative/Account Manager for 8 years and has been in financial services for 28 years. Paul is an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo Gateway Lions and has served on various local boards. In his free time Paul enjoys being outdoors, motorcycle touring, golf and is a hockey fan. Paul and his wife Karen live in Fargo and they have two sons.
"When I learned about Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley and who they serve I knew I wanted to help. Creating a way to make it easy for people to donate gently used furniture and furnishings to be given to people in need creates the connection to meet the needs of many. We have many very generous people in our community and Furniture Mission offers the path to connect donors with people in need. For people who are getting a fresh start in life for whatever reason, Furniture Mission offers hope and a hand up. It feels good to be volunteering for an organization that is making a difference in our community."

Amy L. Nash, Committee Member   

Amy is a designer/creative solution architect, entrepreneur, sustainability professional, and community developer/engagement specialist.  She has degrees in architecture, environmental design, interior design and emphasis in business, construction management, and art.  She uses her extensive strategic planning and project management knowledge and experience in organizational development of businesses, non-profits, and hybrid connectivity.  She has two businesses and emphasizes corporate social responsibility and economic/community development impact building.  Amy is passionate about strength-building and creative processes as she has a blend of design thinking and entrepreneurial thinking in all the work she does.  She also uses these skills in teaching and development of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) programming at Inspire Innovation Lab.  She also has done extensive teaching at a university level and engaged in numerous leadership roles at the local and state levels.  She loves to empower people in their strengths and helping them to make their dreams a reality.  She lives in Fargo in a lovely 1950's home with her life partner, Ben, and her two energetic pitbull-labs, Clementine and Clover.  She cooks, gardens, and runs two to three 5k's a month.
"I have worked hard in the arenas of fighting poverty, homelessness, and other social and community issues my whole adult life.  Furniture Mission has the opportunity to fill a gap that can assist in bringing hope and comfort to many people in numerous situations.  Who wouldn't help with that?!  Of course, I'm in!" 

​​Duane Zwinger, COMMITTEE MEMBER

​Duane Zwinger was born and raised in Sykeston, ND, the oldest of six children.  His early days were spent on the family farm.  He graduated from Sykeston Public School in 1959.  He got his Bachelor of Science Degree from Valley City State College in 1964 and his Master of Science Degree in Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD.  He is married to Mary Ann for a total of 53 years and they had 3 daughters and have 4 grandchildren.  Duane was in education his whole career.  He was a classroom teacher & coach, principal and superintendent.  His last “real” job was superintendent of Gackle-Streeter Public School, a position he held for 13 years.  He is an active member of the Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo.  He is also very active members of the Sts. Anne & Joachim Knights of Columbus Council 11930 and the Gateway Lions Club of Fargo.  His special interests are sports, the outdoors and playing cards.
“After hearing Evert give his message to our Lions Club and seeing the passion that he has for the Furniture Mission of the RRV, I wanted to be a part of this program as well.  To help give to those that are less fortunate.  I wanted to be on the ground-floor start of this program and to help and watch it flourish.” 

​David Pederson, COMMITTEE MEMBER

David has an AAS in computer programming and utilizes his problem solving skills daily.  He is currently the Maintenance Director at Red Rock Property and he comes to the committee for the Furniture Mission as a follower of Christ and a strong commitment to service.  He is on the Board for Fix-It Forward Automotive Ministries and a proud Lion's Club member.  He was raised in Hawley, MN in a large family with 8 siblings.  He also has two kids of his own - ages 13 and 15.