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Jenniges of Cottonwood receives Action Trackchair donation

Lakeview student competes in shot put on track team

Photo by Samantha Davis Terrek Jenniges, a junior at Lakeview High School in Cottonwood, received a donation of the Action Trackchair at Prairie Jam on Sept. 19. Jenniges is on the track and field team, and became a state champion in shot put last spring.

MARSHALL — In support of bettering the lives of those with mobility disabilities, Action Sports and Lockwood Motors partnered with the Action Foundation to gift Lakeview junior Terrek Jenniges of Cottonwood an Action Trackchair.

Received on the night of Prairie Jam on Sept. 19, Jenniges was given the donation to enhance his mobility and the opportunity to actively engage in outdoor activities and sports with the Action Trackchair. He currently is on the Lakeview track and field team, where he has excelled in the last few years in shot put.

“I’m looking forward to using this during track season,” Jenniges said. “Then hopefully in trap, too.”

Jenniges has Caudal Regression Syndrome, which affects the development of his lower body.

The chair was gifted to Jenniges through a partnership of Action Sports and Lockwood Motors. Tim Swenson initially founded Action Sports in 2009, then sold it to his son, Jim Swenson, who is the current CEO. Chet Lockwood is the CEO of Lockwood Motors.

Tim and his wife Donna founded the Action Foundation in 2015, which is dedicated to raising and facilitating funding in order to help those with mobility challenges experience more freedom and adventure outdoors with all-terrain wheelchairs, like Jenniges received.

Trackchairs can start at prices around $13,800 and increase from there, depending on the model, according to Action Trackchair’s website.

“Trackchairs are obviously very expensive, and we know that not everybody with disabilities can afford that,” Executive Director of the Action Foundation Audra Klinkner said. “They (Tim and Donna) were trying to make it a little bit more equitable for people.”

The foundation has experienced exposure and growth, and expands beyond just raising funds for the Trackchairs.

“They’ve (the foundation) been able to give away about $690,000 worth of funds or Trackchairs out to individuals across the country … Now, the foundation is more than just a Trackchair,” Klinkner said. “The Trackchair is one of the things that we’re helping fund, but (there are) multiple other equipments. The goal is that we get people who have disabilities with mobility issues back outdoors; hunting, fishing, hiking, and a lot of other things.”

Beyond fundraising, Klinkner also mentioned the foundation has another mission by raising awareness to outdoor accessibility.

“We’re also helping try to become a resource and advocate for more accessibility in national parks. The state parks have really taken off with adding more accessible equipment, but surprisingly, the national parks really don’t have a lot (of equipment access),” Klinkner said. “That’s kind of where we’re going with the foundation, this has been our kickoff for that new vision that we have.”

Jenniges is a bright light on the Lakeview roster, and became a state champion when he took first place in shot put in the wheelchair division of the track and field state tournament last spring.

“I want to thank Chet Lockwood and everyone else who also put this together for me,” Jenniges said. “This means a lot.”

When time came to decide who in the area should receive the Trackchair, it was a clear community vote that Jenniges deserved it.

“We had originally sent out a nomination request to 18 counties of schools, and our board of 12 individuals, (and they)voted for Terrek as the nominee,” Klinkner said. “That was really fun. He had a great need, and he was a great candidate for the chair.”

The Action Trackchair is also currently one of the four finalists in the running for the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota.” The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce launched the contest this year as a way to recognize manufacturers across the state. Out of a pool of 64 candidates, members of the public have voted Action Trackchair to the top of the brackets, along with Scotch tape, Red Wing boots, and Midwest Floating Island’s wetland at the National Aquarium.

Online voting for the “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” will be open until 4 p.m. Friday, the Minnesota Chamber said. The winner of the contest will be announced on Oct. 8 at the 2024 Manufacturers’ Summit.

Helping to improve lives through the foundation also holds a personal distinction to Klinkner.

“It means everything. My husband has a disability, he was in a farming accident. We have five kids, and being able to see him get outside is such a passion for me, and it’s impactful for our kids,” Klinkner said. “Being able to help people like him get out back in the outdoors and do fun things, and all the stuff they used to be able to do, or may never have been able to do and now can do, it’s just a huge blessing.”

Klinkner’s husband is Derek, who is the head wheelchair basketball coach at Southwest Minnesota State University.

The Action Foundation continues to accept donations to continue creating partnerships and funding for outdoor exploration, and can be made on their home website, theactionfoundation.org.

Starting at $4.38/week.

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