Mother-daughter duo receive award for all their good deeds

By Renee Berg

rberg@mankatofreepress.com

MANKATO — What Geralynn Kottschade and daughter Laura Raimann do to contribute to the community often goes unnoticed, a supporter said, but this time around that’s not so.

The Kottschade family was named Community Champion Award winners recently during a Driven Brands Limitless 2024 conference in Dallas. They were selected out of 55 contenders.

“I was overwhelmed,” Kottschade said of receiving the award. “I didn’t think it was even possible that we’d be considered for it. I was just really surprised.”

Others think the mother/ daughter duo is the perfect fit for the award, which they qualified for as managers of familyowned business Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass in Mankato. Kottschade serves as CFO/business development manager and Raimann as operations manager.

They’re especially renowned for their community service, recipients say.

“The main thing is how generous they are to the community,” said Rebekah Hartman, walk manager for the Alzheimer’s Association. “They truly do care about the community as a whole and that’s an asset to any community. We’re

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Geralynn “Geri” Kottschade, right, and daughter Laura Raimann are all smiles at Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body and Glass after winning the national ABRA’s Community Champion Award.

Casey Ek

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grateful to have a local business like that.”

Jerry’s not only sponsors the Alzheimer’s annual walk but also donates $100 per home run hit by the Mankato MoonDogs when in season. Last year that tally was $4,000.

“We try to stay involved in the community, especially when it comes to donations and activities,” Kottschade said. They’re also involved with Recycled Rides, whereby a damaged, donated car is refurbished and given to a recipient in need selected by the Minnesota Valley Action Council.

Jay Winters, auto body and collision technology instructor at South Central College said, “They are involved in programs that help the community with Recycled Rides. They employ many of our students and have been involved in providing students with mental health services.”

Kottschade was a founding member of the Women’s Industry Network, which helps young women in their industry to find assistance in getting “past the glass ceiling,” Raimann said.

The network now gives away $30,000 in annual scholarships.

“It’s come a long way since we started it 20 years ago,” Kottschade said.

Keely Pampell, communications coordinator with Driven Brands, said the family’s constant efforts to make an impact in their community is admirable.

“Over the last 50 years, Geralynn has prioritized community impact as a core value of her family-owned business,” she said. “Even after her husband stepped down from his role last year, she and her daughter have continued to drive their commitment forward, not allowing any obstacles to deter their efforts.

“Through her relentless commitment to initiatives like Recycled Rides, numerous community outreach programs, networking events, introducing high school students to the collision repair field and significant contributions to the city of Mankato, she has consistently shown an exceptional commitment to making a meaningful difference. Her efforts exemplify a profound dedication to positive change and community improvement.”

Raimann said, “I think it goes to show that small things don’t go unnoticed even if it’s a small donation. It doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s always been instilled in me that community is a big part of our business and seeing the effects of that is really cool, I guess.”

Laura Raimann plugs away at her family’s business, Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass. Casey Ek