Thank You for Another Great Year!

2009 was another exciting year for Cheerful Givers. 37,531 less fortunate children were able to experience the joy of receiving a birthday gift from their parents.

Download full report as a PDF

2009 Accomplishments

  • 37,351 less fortunate children received birthday gift bags
  • 2,988 volunteers donated 6,056 volunteer hours valued at $122,634
  • 461 individual donors made financial contributions
  • In-kind donations valued at $543,615
  • Milestone reached of providing 300,000 birthday bags since founded in 1994
  • Governor proclaimed April 4, 2009 “Cheerful Givers Day” throughout Minnesota
  • 2009 Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy State Award
  • Conducted our first online-only fundraiser
  • Annual event at Mall of America was expanded with a Barnes & Noble book fair
  • Make A Difference Day event with national publicity involving Miss Minnesota
  • Sport team involvement:
    • Minnesota Twins game & Minnesota Twins wives support
    • Minnesota Wild charity-of-the-month in April
    • Minnesota Timberwolves game – Second place in Fastbreak Foundation “Season of Giving” & “Hero in the Making” Award
    • Minnesota Vikings fill birthday bags & Vikings Children’s Fund support
  • Media:
    • Coverage appeared in USA Weekend, USA Today, The Humanitarian Magazine, Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Fox 9 News, YouTube, Clear Channel, Kare 11 & FM 107
    • Monthly e-newsletter to 2,800 subscribers
    • Monthly media alerts

Quotes

Being part of Cheerful Givers is a joy-filled experience. One may not personally see the look on the faces of the children receiving the bags, but you can feel the excitement and joy as you prepare the bags. — Alicia Prodzinski, Retired

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