December 2009
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility specifically for homeless families in our County.
2009 Minnesota Nonprofit Excellence Award
Links:
From Our Executive Director
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
December is a special time at Dakota Woodlands. So many very generous people give gifts for our residents, items for our shelter, donate their time, and generous financial support. As you 'll see later in this issue some groups do all of the above. But, we can't make it through this special season without such generosity.
Our residents were treated to a lovely holiday party at Hosanna Church. Many congregation members volunteered to make this party a special evening for everyone. At the end of my note are some great pictures from the party.
Heather, our follow up coordinator, has been very busy contacting former residents to be sure that everyone is still doing well during this busy but stressful time of the year. She has sent out follow up newsletters with information about resources and helpful information. She also took a group of families out to see holiday lights. They enjoyed some time together in a fun and easy time together.
We're also very busy delivering great services and helping families move to new housing and welcoming others to our shelter. Our follow up work has been very exciting and we are enhancing services for children.
I wish you special holiday times with those you love. Thank you for your support of our work and for reading our Digest.
Happy New Year,
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Resident Holiday Photos
From our residents...thank you so much for making the holidays bright for their families.
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Partner of the Month
Nash Finch Company
For the month of December we have chosen to highlight our friends at Nash Finch Company. This year the relationship between us has really grown.
We participated in a video that they produced to illustrate Nash Finch's long history of supporting organizations that provide hunger relief and shelter needs. We were a featured organization.
We participated in a fair at their company to share directly with their employees what we do in the community and how they can help. And for several years, including this year, we partnered with their Econo Foods partner to collect items that we needed on Make a Difference Day.
This December, many employees gave items through this partnership. Two hundred associates at the company, from a broad array of departments including; Food Distribution, Store Services and Brands, Management, Advertising, Inventory, Finance and more collected and donated underwear, socks, pj's, slippers, personal care items, gift cards and so much more for us.
"We participated in the drive and had a great time collecting these items, knowing that they would go to good use!" Jennifer, Nash Finch.
Thank you Nash Finch for all that you do to support Dakota Woodlands.
If your business, church, school, or group would like to find out more about partnering with Dakota Woodlands please contact Abby Webster at resource@dakotawoodlands.org or 651-289-3567.
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Volunteer of the Month
Nancy Peters Sparrow
Our volunteer of the month is Nancy Peters Sparrow, one of our after- school tutors for children.
Nancy is the owner of an interior design partnership called Sparrow and Stoll. She lives in Burnsville with her husband, Jon, two Golden Retrievers, and two cats. Nancy is an active member of Evergreen Community Church and the Business Women’s Network. In her spare time loves to read, cook and watch classic movies. Nancy is originally from New Prague, MN. In college, she studied abroad in Northern England in a 12th century castle complete with a Duke and Duchess and a ghost!
Nancy comes here every week to help our school age children with their homework and strengthen their skills in math and reading. When asked about her experience here at Dakota Woodlands, Nancy says, “I thoroughly enjoy tutoring at Dakota Woodlands; each Tuesday brings a fun new challenge! It brings me joy to work with these kids for a few months or maybe even just one time as the case may be, and be part of their experience in some small way. We always have a good time. I think Dakota Woodlands offers a great opportunity for women and their children, and I’m honored to be a part of it!”
We are honored to count Nancy among our volunteers. Happy Holidays to you.
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...How to Help...
We would be very grateful for your financial support.
We are so grateful for the financial support that we've received throughout the year.
If you haven't given financially to Dakota Woodlands, we would be very grateful for a donation before the end of the year. Every amount matters to assist us in meeting the basic needs and supportive services for families who are homeless. Your donation is tax deductible.
You can make a donation on-line by clicking this link ....
If you click the link, you'll be on our site, through GiveMN.org...which is a very user-friendly system with no carrying fees for donation processing. We get the full amount of your donation. On this site, you'd even be able to see our short two minute video, produced for the ceremony when we received the MN Nonprofit Excellence Award.
Or, feel free to send your donation to us at the address below.
Thank you for your support!!!
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Current Needs
- Full sheet sets
- Full and Twin Mattress pads
- Wet wipes for babies (We are in great need of baby wet wipes.)
- Baby Monitors (new or gently used is great)
- Gift Wrapping supplies... throughout the year we need to wrap birthday presents and other occasion gifts. We need gift bags, tissue paper, wrapping paper, bows and such supplies. These supplies are even at dollar stores.
- Start the New Year with volunteering to assist Dakota Woodlands We have opportunities for individuals or small groups to assist us, without a large time commitment. If you are interested in learning about ways to assist us, please contact Patty, our Volunteer Coordinator at 651-289-3565 (direct phone number) or email her at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org