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• 1 2024-03-15T22:01:52+00:00 Camp Little Norway Association 2 Established in 1941 to support the war effort and the soldiers stationed at Camp Little Norway. image_header 2024-08-19T20:28:11+00:00 Camp Little Norway, Inc. was established in 1941 after a group of American citizens of Norwegian descent from Minneapolis visited Camp Little Norway. This group included Albert Lindholm, Dr. Gustav Svendsen, Hans Thorsdalen, Richard Larson, Jacob Sufferud, Dr. Raymond M. Hoitomt, Julius P. Blegen, and Karl Andresen. Their visit convinced them that there was a cause that deserved their attention: Helping friends who are fighting for Norway. Their first official meeting was September 23, 1941, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota. Under United States laws that prevented any aid to belligerent nations in a direct manner, it was evident that such assistance could come from limited medical, recreation, and general welfare purposes. At this point during the war the United States still remained neutral. 
  
  Besides the original group that visited the camp outside of Toronto, other Norwegian-Americans from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area joined the cause of the C.L.N.A., Inc. This included Albert Lindholm, importer of Norwegian fisheries products, who served as the President of the organization. Julius Blegen served as the first Vice President, and later became Treasurer after Dr. Svendsen. Richard Larson, an executive at Honeywell Heat Regulator Company, succeeded Blegen as Vice President. Hans Thorsdalen was the first secretary and served until he joined the US Army in 1942. Succeeding secretaries included Dr. Sverre Nordborg (Professor of Philosophy at University of Minnesota) who served until he was called to the Office of Strategic Services in Washington, D.C., Gerhard Sonnesyn (Attorney), and Jacob Stefferud who served as the Norwegian Consul for the Northwest. 
  
  

  Organization of the Association

  The Association was divided into five regional divisions: Eastern, North Central, Southern, Northwest Pacific, and Southern Pacific. This arrangement was made because it felt that placing emphasis on regional and local leadership would keep its character of spontaneity. Furthermore, chapters were represented in various cities, including New York, Brooklyn, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, and more. 
  
  Outside of cities, other organizations joined in being an active part in the work of assisting the fighting forces in Norway. First, Robert Langly and Julius Blegen of the National Ski Association applied. This led to the Supreme Lodge of the Sons of Norway, the largest organization of persons of Norwegian origin or descent in the US, to join. The Sons of Norway felt an immortal service to the men of the Norwegian Merchant Marine. They concentrated their funding on the Norwegian Merchant Marine. 
  
  The President's War Relief Control Board was the licensing authority for national relief for the benefit of foreign countries. During a final arrangement in 1944, the Camp Little Norway Association became a unit with the American Relief for Norway. By 1945, with Norwegian forces returning to their homeland, and the sale of Camp Little Norway to the Canadian government, the Association reached its end. 
  

  Camp Little Norway Association Bulletins

  From June 1, 1942 to October 1, 1944 the Camp Little Norway Association, Inc. put out bulletins to give updates on the war in Norway, fundraising efforts, and more. The last bulletin dated Vol. 3, No. 2 gives notice that the Camp Little Norway Association, Inc. will be a part of the American Relief for Norway organization. 
  
  Explore the bulletins below!
  Vol. 1, No. 1
  Vol. 1, No. 2
  Vol. 1, No. 3
  Vol. 1, No. 4
  Vol. 1, No. 5
  Vol. 2, No. 1
  Vol. 2. No. 2
  Vol. 2, No. 3
  Vol. 3, No. 1
  Vol. 3, No. 2

  Contribution to the War Effort by American Relief for Norway

  According to Birger Osland on October 11, 1945, a total of $1,359,312 was raised to help the population of Norway during the German occupation. He notes that help bringing the materials to the country was done with help from Sweden -- a neutral country. The biggest expenses covered by that total included milk for children and daily portions ($574,200), medicine for hospitals and pharmacies ($228,000), and for yarn and cloth for the Norwegian Sewing Room in New York ($160,000). 
  
  After the liberation of Norway on May 8, 1945, there was a continued need for clothes to be brought into the country. Throughout the United States there was a renewed effort to donate used clothing. From May 8 to July 10, around 988,115 pounds of clothing was shipped overseas. Osland noted "In Minneapolis there were three storage places filled to the ceiling, which I personally saw and I wondered how in the world they were going to obtain enough workers to examine and pack all these pieces of clothing."
  
  
  
  Sources to explore:
  Camp Little Norway Association papers, 1941-1947
  American Relief for Norway, Inc. papers, 1940-1946
  Hermana Rye Haugan papers, 1893-1972
  Jacob Stefferud papers, 1916-1964