Waconia rallies when a new business comes to town, when neighbors need help, or when organizations need support.

The Waconia Lions Club organized a trip for more than 120 World War II veterans from the Waconia area and led a community-wide fundraiser to pay the more than $50,000 cost—the trip was a gift from the community.

It was a fantasy come true for many vets on an early April morning in 2007 who enjoyed a sheriff’s escort to their charter flight, were treated to lunch, spent the afternoon visiting the National World War II Memorial and were welcomed home with a candlelight parade. Doctors and nurses from Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, volunteered to accompany the frailer vets.

The Waconia Food Shelf came into being after a local businesswoman saw the need and began distributing food from her business location. In 2003 when the need was more than she could meet local churches secured a location and resources to set up a local food shelf. Today, the Gather and Grow Food Shelf and Connection Center serves clients living in Waconia and the surrounding communities. They provide a modern, dignified environment, and offer a variety of healthy foods and locally grown produce. The Food Shelf is supported by over 100 volunteers, area businesses, organizations, churches, and growers.