May 2026 -Serving Those Who Serve
Each year the Blue Line Buffet is a welcome opportunity to serve a meal to our first responder families. While we often serve our first responders at work, this is a great chance to bring together our law enforcement families for an evening of fellowship and fun.
From balloon animals to puppies, kittens and bounce houses, there was lots to do for old and young alike.
We are deeply grateful for the fabulous meal donated by Joe Powers and Pinnacle Catering and our volunteers who helped to set up, serve and clean up over the course of the day.
Welcome to our New Executive Chaplain!
Please help us welcome Executive Chaplain Shari Cape!
For the past two years, Shari has faithfully served as a part-time chaplain with RPD and OCSO, and we are thrilled to announce that she is now joining our team full-time.
In this expanded role, Shari will continue supporting our law enforcement partners while also helping lead, mentor, and care for our growing team of chaplains serving across eight agencies. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to people make her an incredible addition to our full-time staff.
Shari is a dedicated coach and counselor with practical experience in marriage support, addiction recovery, anxiety, depression, and conflict resolution. A graduate of Winona State University, she is passionate about emotional health and brain science, thoughtfully integrating these principles into her teaching, mentoring, and care for others. Whether walking alongside someone in crisis or encouraging them through everyday challenges, Shari brings wisdom, empathy, and steady support to those she serves.
A Rochester native, Shari is also a devoted wife and mother of four.
Her transition into this new role strengthens our ability to continue growing while preserving the deep relationships and high level of care that define both our client partnerships and our chaplain team. We are honored to have her leadership and heart helping shape the future of our organization.
Takin' it to the streets (so to speak)
May is the month dedicated to celebrating our first responders. One way we do that is to make sure they feel our support and encouragement.
Pictured above: Our Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service (MCAS) Chaplains Munis (left) and Mannenbach (right) partnered with Rochester operations to prep goodie bags as part of National EMS Appreciation Week!
Pictured below: Chaplains Beech, Orth, and Cape were honored to provide meals for both the day and night ADC crews recently during National Correctional Officer's Week. They served up an amazing meal of smoked brisket and pork sandwiches, potatoes, watermelon, and brownies.
Below: We are honored to have ED Beech as part of the RFD honor guard. The honor guard participated in the annual ceremony to commemorate National Firefighter's Day on May 4th.
Miles and Meals
Join us! We are partnering with TerraLoco and Sorrelina's this upcoming Monday the 1st of June. You can choose to just eat, just run, or run AND eat.
The $5 5k is at TerraLoco and no preregistration is required. You can bring the kids, dogs, strollers and either walk or jog the course. We'll have a fire engine at the turnaround point, a canine police officer at TerraLoco, and just for fun - root beer floats upon your return!
Don't let the floats ruin your appetite though, because Sorrelina's has graciously agreed to do a 25% giveback to Salt & Light on any meals when you mention us or the giveback. This promotion from Sorrelina's is good on any take out or dine in meal! Do you have kids with sports? Please consider ordering on your way home and swing by to pick it up!
For those who can, we'd love to fill the patio with S&L supporters after the run!
National Day of Prayer
Each year we are honored to participate in the National Day of Prayer event in Rochester. This year Executive Director Beech, RPD Chaplain Molina, and OCSO Chaplain Orth were part of the leadership prayer team on May 7th. This event is a powerful occasion to pray for our city as a community.
Trained and Prepared
Salt & Light Partners belongs to the International Conference of Police Chaplains and we use their regional and national training seminars to ensure our chaplains are well equipped for the work of chaplaincy.
Below is a picture of our group of 10 Salt & Light chaplains who attended the latest regional training seminar in Iowa this past month.
Left to Right: Orth, Reimer, Roland, Cape, Olson, Smith, Molina, Gondola, Mannenbach and Beech
Plan ahead now for the Heroes Scramble
Where are my golfers? We are hosting a scramble (best ball) golf tournament at Willow Creek in September. By then your golf game will be at it's peak after a summer of golfing and you will be happy to have an excuse to come out before the season is over! We guarantee this will be a fun opportunity to come out and enjoy a day of golf with our first responders and support a great cause.
So, with all this notice, register now and put it on your calendar so it is done!
Do you know a business that might like to support our first responders and be a sponsor? Share this with them! There are sponsorship opportunities that range from $250 to $5000, so there is something for everyone!
Thank you for your continued support of this ministry.
Please always reach out with any questions or requests you might have.
With gratitude,
The Salt & Light Team