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Bubba Gump Holiday Drive
The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant at the Mall of America is holding a Cheerful Givers Holiday Drive from Nov. 24-Jan.1. Funds are being collected and Bubba is donating a dollar for every “Accidental Fish” ordered. There will also be a $100 gift certificate given away at the end of the drive. Thanks Bubba!
 

Birthday Bag Blitzes
Comments from Cheerful Givers who recently held a Birthday Bag Blitz:

"Thrivent Cheerful Givers are well known for their amazing speed and their beautiful smiles!" says Jeannie LeMere ,Executive Liaison, Marketing and Products at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis.

“This is among the kids most favorite activities. The bags are certainly created with love!” reports Andi Little, Director of Religious Education at St. John the Baptist Church in Savage, MN.

Diane Toscano, Water Care Credit Manager at Ecolab in Eagan said "We see so many children who have so much, we want to try to impact the lives of those who don’t.”

General Mills Gives $10,000 Grant
On November 29th, we received word from General Mills that we’ve been selected as a $10,000 grant recipient for our “Communities of Color” proposal. We knew it was a competitive process with over 260 applications but we were encouraged last month when they called to schedule a site visit.

When the team of 5 General Mills employees and managers came to observe the special education kids at the Vocational Evaluation and Training School fill birthday gift bags with toys, we think they were amazed at how such a simple process can bring such joy as well as skill-building to the “givers.”
 

 November 17th Benefit
Hope you can join us at the St. Paul Embassy Suites Hotel from 7-10 pm on Friday, Nov. 17 to enjoy the music of Boondoggle (a mix of rock, blues, country and your requests), silent auction with some fabulous items, many prize drawings, grab bags and surprises. $15 suggested donation at the door. Hope to see you there!

View Event Details

Mattel Children's Foundation Grant
We were one of 37 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a grant of $5,000 from the Mattel Children’s Foundation and the only nonprofit in Minnesota. Deborah Diochea at Mattel said “We received almost 1,000 grant applications from across the United States this year. Through the review process, we strived to identify organizations that use effective and innovative programs to assist children in support of the Mattel Children’s Foundation vision of making a difference, one child at a time.” Along with the grant, a variety of very nice toys were received which are sure to be appreciated by the kids who receive them. Thanks to all the good folks at Mattel!

Washington Kiwanis
Briana Keller, coordinator for Cheerful Givers pilot program in Seattle, recently spoke with members of the Redmond, Washington Kiwanis club. Following the meeting, Briana received word that “Cheerful Givers seems to be the kind of group that we would like to support” and she has been invited to speak to the Executive Board in the town of Kirkland. Go Briana! received word that “Cheerful Givers seems to be the kind of group that we would like to support” and she has been invited to speak to the Executive Board in the town of Kirkland. Go Briana!
 

Anna's 6th Birthday
Anna Reiter wanted to do more than just celebrate her birthday with her friends. So she planned a Cheerful Givers birthday party, and instead of getting presents for herself, she asked her guests to bring gifts that could be donated to less fortunate kids. In addition to the 25 beautiful toys that were donated, a poster was created that says “We are Cheerful Givers” and was signed by all who attended her party.

It’s kids like Anna and her friends who make the future look so much brighter!

United Way Designation
Many companies hold drives this month to support United Way agencies and other nonprofits. While Cheerful Givers is not a United Way agency, we greatly appreciate when donors designate Cheerful Givers on their United Way pledge form.


 

Welcome New Board Members
This month we welcome three new members to our Board of Directors: Cindy Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Uptown Association, Mike Witzany, Business Consultant, and Tim Sullivan, Assistant Principal. In addition to their career activities, they bring a lot of nonprofit and volunteer experience along with a great passion for our mission. Welcome Cindy, Mike and Tim!

 

And The Award Goes To
Last year we initiated the “Joe Durant Volunteer Award” in memory of a man who served as one of our most dedicated and reliable volunteers who truly made a difference in many lives. While Joe wasn’t alive to receive his award, we know his family was honored to accept it on his behalf

This year, the Joe Durant Volunteer Award was given to Mary Moga, Program Coordinator at Intermediate School District 287, where Mary has worked for several years with her special education students to fill birthday bags. With Mary’s tremendous flexibility, patience and hard work, this group has already created 14,222 birthday smiles for less fortunate kids this year. Congratulations, Mary, and many thanks for all you do!

 

Board Does Birthday Bags
We began our last board meeting doing what we ask so many volunteers to do. That is, take time to fill birthday bags. It was a good reminder of how fun it is to see the assortment of toys (donated by Mayflower Distributing) and the great feeling of accomplishment when the ribbon gets tied on the last bag. Doug Fletcher, our Chair, volunteered to take the bags to the Emergency Food Shelf the next day so that 202 less fortunate kids can “celebrate” their birthday.

Cheerful Walkers
The volunteers who participated in the Headwaters Foundation “Walk For Justice” on Sept. 17th enjoyed a leisurely three-mile walk with much fanfare along the way. We were greeted with bands playing, people waving and a delicious lunch at the end. Walkers raised $720 for Cheerful Givers and helped to spread the word about us. Check
out the photo gallery and a heartwarming story in our new blog.

   
 

Cheerful Givers Receives Grant From The Mattel Children's Foundation
Thirty-seven nonprofit organizations directly serving children in need in 21 states will receive $400,000 in total grants funded by the Foundation. "The Mattel Children's Foundation is delighted to support such a varied group of worthy organizations that directly help children and reflect our vision of making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," said Kevin Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and chief financial officer of Mattel. "Through these grants, Mattel will help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need nationwide."

The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978. With a vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation provides cash grants through domestic and international grant making programs, as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts and volunteer grants for Mattel employees. The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
 

Eagan hosts another Cheerful Givers event
More than 260 bags were filled during the Aug. 25 Ecolab Cheerful Givers event at ESC.

The Eagan chapter of the Ecolab Cheerful Givers held another birthday bag blitz on Aug. 25 at the Allan L. Schuman campus.

More than 30 Ecolab associates helped assemble 263 bags during the event. The non-profit organization provides birthday bags to disadvantaged children ages 3 to 12 who are living in shelters or depending on food shelves. Institutional Route Supervisors Don Karel and Dan Schmucker then delivered the bags to the Robert Lewis House in Eagan, a shelter for woman and children seeking refuge from domestic abuse.

To participate on a regular basis with the group, associates simply purchase or collect any amount of small, new toys or treats from coworkers/friends/family members or any interested parties who want to contribute. Ideas include crayons, coloring books, pencils, whistles, Tootsie Rolls, Fun Fruits, mini frisbees, animal straws, bubbles, matchbox cars, stickers, paper airplanes, party blowers, etc. Monetary contributions are welcome as well.

A total of 30 associates helped fill birthday bags, which were later delivered to a Eagan shelter for woman and children seeking refuge from domestic abuse.