October 2009
Dakota Woodlands is the only facility specifically for homeless families in our County.
Links:
From Our Executive Director
Reyne Branchaud-Linsk
It's been a very busy October. We held our 4th annual Flying Home Event on October 10th. We hope you'll enjoy the story and photos below about our successful event.
On October 22nd, we participated in the 2009 survey of homelessness in our state, sponsored by the Wilder Foundation. More than 800 volunteer interviewers were all over the state talking to people staying in shelters and on the streets and completing a very thorough survey. Since 1991 Wilder has conducted such a study every three years to better understand the causes, circumstances and effects of homelessness. The results won't be known until next Spring. But, we see the impact that the recession has had on families here in Dakota County.
We have attended training and have a plan in place to safeguard residents and staff during this flu season and with the specific H1N1 flu. We've been working with MN Dept of Health and Dakota County Health Department as well as local clinics in anticipation of cases at our shelter.
But on an upbeat story, as your children get ready for Halloween, so are the children of Dakota Woodlands. We will be trick or treating from door to door at our place and we are planning a fun evening of treats and games here for our families.
Wishing you health and happiness in your homes and neighborhood.
Thank you for your support of our work and for reading our Digest.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- 
Our Flying Home Event was fantastic
Saturday, October 10, 2009
7:00-10:30 p.m.
The event was held at Ecolab’s Schuman Center in Eagan
There were many highlights of the event. First and foremost it was a very fun way to educate people about our work. We cleared nearly $50,000 towards our supportive services.
Eagan’s own, Miss Minnesota helped us to raise funds in two categories that directly impact our residents. Twenty-four people were “crowned” by her for donating money to assist our residents in achieving their GED.
We played a fun game and raised funds to renovate a room for school aged children staying here, with their families.
Knowing that Miss Minnesota has a platform regarding music education, one guest made a donation to Dakota Woodlands if Brooke would sing. She sang the song that advanced her on American Idol, when she competed a few years ago.
Other highlights included 85 silent auction packages, accompanied by beautifully decorated birdhouses.
We had five amazing live auction items that raised $3,200 alone.
Guests enjoyed great food, visited with friends and had a wonderful time.
We thank our sponsors; Travelers, Mendota Consulting, Gopher Resource Center, Ecolab,Southview Senior Living, BlueCross BlueShield of MN, Inthermo, Lancet, Lockheed Martin, Target, Thomson Reuters, Valley Natural Foods, Anchor Bank, Bituminous Roadways, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, Patterson Dental and Snowland Freight Service. Thank you to everyone who donated birdhouses and gifts for auction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Volunteer of the Month
Edward Usset
There are many reasons to acknowledge Ed Usset as our volunteer of the month for October. He does so much for our organization. He served as the chair of our Flying Home Event. But we have many things to say about this very special friend.
He says the Flying Home event is fun to lead and the results are very rewarding. He is great at encouraging others especially the interns and volunteers that work on this event. And he's a great sport, last year he took a pie to the face to raise money. This year he was crowned by Miss Minnesota.
Ed has been involved with Dakota Woodlands (originally Mary's Shelter) since 1990. He says he called the Executive Director and volunteered his time for the Board of Directors. Serving as a member of the board quickly led to the Board President role, with many people knowing the gifts that he had to offer. As the President of the Board, he says he had a hand in changing the name, mission, location and structure of the board. He says that the Board and staff worked together on many changes of the organization. But, he says he will take credit for being the first person to suggest the need to change our name. Acknowledging that change is hard, he says that he estimates 7 years from the time he first suggested a name change to the time we became “Dakota Woodlands."
He says he enjoys working with us for several reasons. Not only does he love leading the Flying Home Event. But, mostly he says he loves our simple mission and "thanks to a dedicated staff, we do it well." Second, he enjoys the challenge of dealing with problems in an area outside of his day job.
On the personal side he met his wife Mary in high school. Mary runs the Mendota Consulting Company (a loyal sponsor of Flying Home), offering marketing expertise to producers of medical devices. They have three children. Joe is a graduate student at North Carolina State University, Peter is a junior at Hamline University, and Emily is a junior at Henry Sibley High School. He tells us that their two dogs have taught them that an immaculate home and pet ownership are incompatible goals.
He serves as a Grain Marketing Specialist for the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota. Working with his colleagues, Ed developed the award winning “Winning the Game” series of workshops. He also helped develop “Tool Time,” a new series of workshops dedicated to understanding and using grain pricing tools. He teaches "Futures and Options Markets" at the University. He's very proud of his first book, “Grain Marketing is Simple (it’s just not easy).” He had 5,000 copies about two years ago and has about 150 copies left. They plan to release a second edition towards the end of next year.
He says his time with Dakota Woodlands "has been a great learning experience."
We are so grateful for all you've done for us.
Thank you Ed for your time and w isdom!!
--- --- -- -- - --- --- ---- -- -- --- --- --- -- - -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- ---
...How to Help...
Volunteer Opportunities
We have opportunities for individuals or small groups to assist us, without a large time commitment
- Do you like to sort and organize items? We'd love to have your help once a week, or a couple hours a month
- Child care help is needed weekday evenings and weekends
- Would your group like to come in to organize a game night, Bingo Event or special meal for our families?
If you are interested in learning more about any of the above opportunities or other ways to assist us, please contact Patty, our Volunteer Coordinator at 651-289-3565 (direct phone number) or email her at volunteer@dakotawoodlands.org.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Needs
- Full sheet sets
- Full and Twin Mattress pads
- Wet wipes for babies
- Adult and children's socks (all sizes)
- Bras (all sizes)
- Batteries, AA, AAA and 9 volt
- Would your company like to arrange a paper product drive to assist us?
- Like many non profit organizations, we are in need of financial support. Every amount matters to assist us in meeting the basic needs and supportive services for families. Your donation is tax deductible. You can make a donation through our website....Donate Now or send your donation to us at the address below.
- We have begun the holiday season at Dakota Woodlands. If you would like to assist us, please contact Patty at 651-456-9110 at our holiday extension 599 or email her at holiday@dakotawoodlands.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-456-9110
www.dakotawoodlands.org