September 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
Our third annual Flying Home event is just around the corner and this year promises to be the best yet. With more auction packages and celebrity-decorated birdhouses, there is sure to be something for everyone.
We have some returning favorites, including Al Franken’s ever-popular free-hand
drawing of the map of the United States. This year we were fortunate enough to see him sketch it when he visited Dakota Woodlands along with Congresswoman Betty McCollum
early this September. Franken sat down in our conference room and drew a map of the U.S, starting of course with Minnesota.
Mr Franken and Congresswoman McCollum came to Dakota Woodlands to see first-hand the services provided for homeless families in Dakota County. The two toured the building, spoke with staff, and listened to the stories of how two residents became homeless.
New this year will be decorated birdhouses by the Twins Wives, signed by the Twins players, Senator Norm Coleman, Congressman John Kline, musician Tim Mahoney, explorer Ann Bancroft, Kim Insley along with other favorites ...author Lorna Landvik, KARE 11’s Rena Sarigianopoulos, Donna Valentine from K102, Josh from 93X
and many more.
The live auction will include a stay at the St. Paul Hotel, a Nintendo Wii and other great prizes. The silent auction will be full of other fantastic packages including gift certificates to local restaurants, Wild tickets, theatre tickets, games and much more.
All proceeds help us provide supportive services for families at Dakota Woodlands that help women and children “fly home.” Tickets are $50 a person and are now available by calling 651-456-9110 or through the link below. We hope to see you there on October 11th for Flying Home!
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---Get Your Tickets today for Flying Home!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
7:00 to 10:30 p.m.
at Ecolab's Schuman Center
in Eagan
<click here for address and directions>
Join us for a night of food, entertainment, silent and live auctions and lots of fun. This is our 3rd annual Flying Home event and it promises to be the best year ever! We have some great artist and celebrity decorated birdhouses along with over 100 fabulous silent and live auction gifts.
Tickets are $50.00 per person and now available online! To order your tickets contact Marie at 651-456-9110 or e-mail communication@dakotawoodlands.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----Volunteer of the Month
The Women of the Dorcus Group at United Methodist Church
(From left to right Jan Younger, Lou Ann Gustafson, Carol York-Critchley, and Vera Young,
not pictured; Barbara Neimer)
For the women of Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan, volunteering at Dakota Woodlands is a tradition. For the last five years, the women of the “Dorcus” group, named after a woman in the Bible who performed
charitable acts, have been coming to Dakota Woodlands to assist with the “store,” a place where residents can "purchase" household items by exchanging points that they've earned at Dakota Woodlands
The women come twice a month and spend as long as it takes to clean up and organize the store.
“We come because we know there’s a need. We know we have accomplished something when we leave and
that is a good feeling,” said one of the women.
The women also appreciate all that Dakota Woodlands does for women and children in need. “We know that
they help the women with education and services and we think that’s great. Dakota Woodlands provides more than just living quarters for women in need, they help them get back on their feet,” one woman said.
The women of the Dorcus group love helping out in any way they can. Over the past five years they have
done much more for Dakota Woodlands than just keeping the store organized, they have helped out around
Christmas with wrapping presents, they have sorted through donations, they have served meals and they continue to come twice a month ready to help with a smile on their faces. Dakota Woodlands appreciates all you do.
Thank you Dorcus Women!!!
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Volunteer Opportunities
Our most urgent needs right now are for volunteers to Help Out
with Flying Home!
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need volunteers to help with set up Friday before the event, and at the event we need assistance with food, auctions, check out and clean up.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator to learn more about how you can help on October 11th at Ecolab’s Schuman Center:
Our most urgent needs are later in the evening from 9 p.m. to close.
For more information about volunteering at Flying Home or for other volunteer opportunities at Dakota Woodlands, please contact Ginni at 651-456-9110 ex. 15 or email at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
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Current Needs List:
- Toothbrushes (Adult Size)
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Women's Deodorant (Full Size)
- Cribs in great condition, that meet all safety restrictions.
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Garbage bags in 13 or 32 gallon sizes
- Phone cards for resident long distance calling needs in 30 or 60 minutes
- Children's Slippers
- Full Size Mattress Pads
If you have items for the wish list please contact Lara at 651-456-9110 ext. 12
or resource@dakotawoodlands.org
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Our special thanks to
Jensen's Supper Club for hosting a lunch event to
benefit Dakota Woodlands.
Jensen's donated $3,000 to Dakota Woodlands through this very creative event.
Jensen's is now open for lunch, and in preparation for this, they hosted a special trial lunch week
and raised $3,000 for us.
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3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org