October 2008
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility for homeless women and children in Dakota County.
Our mission is to empower homeless women to create stable futures for their families.
Links:
From Our Executive Director:
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
It has been an exciting time at Dakota Woodlands. Our Flying Home Event was the best ever. It is such a unique way to introduce people to our work and raise money for our supportive services. We cleared nearly $50,000 at this amazingly successful event.
We are attending school conferences, planning fall events, getting ready for Halloween, Harvest events through local resources, Thanksgiving and more. Several of our kids are involved in after school activities and sports. So our staff are helping with the transportation.
We have a very fun time on Halloween evening at Dakota Woodlands. Our children walk from "bedroom to bedroom" in costumes, just like others go door to door. We'll have a very festive party tomorrow evening here at Dakota Woodlands. We had a room full of costumes. Moms and kids had fun selecting what they'd wear to school and our holiday event. We have been busy decorating the hallways, baking holiday treats and creating scary crafts. We have plenty of treats and fun planned.
I wish you and your children a safe and fun time tomorrow evening.
----
----- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Volunteers of the Month
The Flying Home Committee
Flying Home is our only large fundraising event of the year. So it's no surprise that organizing the event is a lot of work. The Flying Home committee is made up of a few Dakota Woodlands staff members and some truly wonderful volunteers that have been meeting since just after last year's event.
Although it's a lot of work, the committee has such a great time. We couldn't do this event without the wonderful volunteers. The planning committee includes Ed Usset, Arlene Cepull, Sarah Pitzl, Gail Barta, Lane Cavanaugh, Becky Fillinger, Jacqueline Miller, Mike Newman and Bob Radecki. This year's event had many behind the scenes volunteers and those who assisted the night of the event in so many ways. The Musicians donated their time and Grandpa Rollie made birdhouses at the event.
Ed Usset has been volunteering for Dakota Woodlands for so many years. From our first Flying Home Event three years ago, he has served as the Chairperson of the Event. He says that the reason he puts so much time and effort into the event is because he believes it is supporting a great cause. "The decorating of birdhouses is a winning idea and Ecolab's Schuman Center is the ideal setting. It's a chance for me to contribute to a better life for people in my own backyard," said Ed.
Gail Barta, a volunteer at Dakota Woodlands for nine years, says she loves giving her time to Dakota Woodlands and to Flying Home in particular. "This is an elegant, fun evening with so many ways to donate money. It's also great to be able to enjoy great food and great music. Support with fun," says Gail.
Gail and Ed agree that putting the event together is almost as fun as the night itself. "It's exciting to see it come together. From top to bottom this event is a very creative process," says Ed.
Sarah Pitzl donates an incredible amount of time to the event by taking the wonderful items and putting together every silent auction package. She hopes the event will be even"bigger and better" next year. Sarah also enjoys Flying Home because she says, "it's a wonderful social event that makes shopping fun."
Flying Home is a wonderful event that wouldn't be what it is without the work of its volunteers. Dakota Woodlands is so grateful to have such a devoted community working for us. Thank you to everyone who was involved with making Flying Home 2008 such a success and we look forward to seeing you at next year's event!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volunteer Opportunities
Dakota Woodlands is always in need of volunteers, especially around the busy holiday season.
Right now our specific needs are;
-
Child care during the day, evening or weekends
-
Part-time receptionist on weekdays through the holidays. (Two to four hour blocks of time are great)
-
Someone to come in once a month to deep clean the oven
- Someone to do light housekeeping tasks around the shelter
- A cooking assistant to come in once a week to help our residents make cookies and other holiday treats
For more information about volunteering please contact Ginni at 651-456-9110 ex. 565 or email at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holiday Needs
The Holiday season is quickly approaching. There are so many ways for you to assist us.
We have a part time coordinator of holiday needs. Please feel free to contact Lane to discuss your ideas
and our needs.
She can be reached at 651-456-9110 ext. 599 or email her at holiday@dakotawoodlands.org
Here are some ways to help...
- Adopt a family by getting a list of family wishes from Lane
- Organize a drive at your church, work or neighborhood to collect items from our Holiday Wish List.
- Bring in your group to make holiday cookies or bring treats for either Thanksgiving or Christmas
- Donate a financial gift to Dakota Woodlands in the name of a friend or family member. We will gladly send them an acknowledgement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Needs List:
- Toothbrushes (Adult Size)
- Hair brushes and combs
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Women's deodorant (Full Size)
- Women's underwear
- Cribs in great condition, that meet all safety restrictions.
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Garbage bags in 13 or 32 gallon sizes
- Phone cards for resident long distance calling needs in 30 or 60 minutes
- Baby laundry detergent, such as Dreft
- A nice two piece living room set like a large comfortable chair and love seat.
- Good television sets in great working condition.
If you have items for the wish list please contact Abby at 651-456-9110 ext. 562
or resource@dakotawoodlands.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org
