Cheerful Givers was thrilled to join the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, June 21st for a fun baseball game. The event planning began months ago when volunteers encouraged their family, friends and co-workers to buy tickets with a portion of each ticket going to support our birthday gift bags for less fortunate kids.

At the game, we hosted an information table, and I was asked to throw out the first pitch which was very exciting!

 Five of our volunteers (left to right: Scott Hegg, Larry Teckenbrock, Kristen Anthony, LaShann Cooper & Donovan Morrison) led the singing of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” with a little help from T.C. the Twins Mascot.  We later found out  they appeared on ESPN Sports Center because ESPN is having a “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” singing compeition throughout the major league to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of baseball’s most famous tune. Their singing must have also inspired the players who scored six runs in the seventh inning which gave them a 6-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Way to go Twins!

  Do you remember ever being told — just don’t get caught with the Old Maid card?  I can think of some wonderful summer afternoons when all you needed was a fun deck of cards and a willing brother or friend to make your day.  

Thanks to Kelli’s Gift Shop Suppliers in Carrollton, Texas there will be 144 kids who will get to find out what fun it is to play card games like Crazy 8s, Slap Jack, Go Fish and the Matching Game.  What a fun treat on a summer day!

Tyler and Jordan Ekstein celebrated their 9th birthday at their school, Columbia Grammar and Preparatory in Manhattan, New York.  It began after school on June 5th in the cafeteria with ninety kids enjoying pizza, popcorn and ice cream. Then they wento to the high school building where they saw the movie Matilda on a big screen and said they especially liked the popcorn fight.

While these twins enjoyed their party, they also said they enjoyed asking guests on their party invitation to make a donation to Cheerful Givers instead of bringing a gift for them. Alexis, their Mom, said “Jordan and Tyler were happy to give up their birthday presents so that other children who do not receive a birthday gift can get one on their special day. It was not until this birthday that Jordan and Tyler actually understood that there are children that do not have a birthday party or receive a birthday present. On behalf of Jordan and Tyler’s friends who donated to Cheerful Givers in lieu of giving Jordan and Tyler a birthday present, we wish the Cheerful Givers birthday recipients a wonderful birthday!”

Not only did the birthday kids feel good about sharing their birthday with others who are less fortunate, but many of the kids and parents who made donations seemed genuinely pleased to know their gift was helping others.

 Thanks to the Ekstein family and friends for making happiness happen!

(Photos courtesy of Jessica Leigh Photography)

Thanks to Laura Stockman, a group of students in Australia learned about Cheerful Givers as well as the many other great causes that Laura has supported.

In her blog, Jenny Luca, head of Information Services at Toorak College, commented:  “ This global platform is a chance for us all to understand that we probably share more in common than we would otherwise realise.

A standout moment was when my students sang our National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair, to Laura and her mum Angela who was helping her with the call.

 In 1943, Richard James invented one of the greatest toys ever. James, a naval engineer, was conducting an experiment with tension springs. During the experiment, one of the springs fell to the floor and began to “walk.” James took the spring home to his wife, Betty, and asked her if she thought it was something they could pursue. Betty had a vision for a toy and scoured the dictionary, looking for an appropriate name. She came across the word “slinky,” a Swedish word meaning stealthy, sleek and sinuous. Toy history was made.
The Slinky® debuted at Gimbel’s Department Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945. Both Betty and Richard were skeptical about how the Slinky® would sell. All their doubts were put to rest when all 400 Slinkys® for sale were purchased in 90 minutes. Since then, over three hundred million Slinkys® have been sold worldwide.

And thanks to the generosity of Poof Slinky, some of these wonderful toys will be included in our Cheerful Givers birthday gift bags!

 Despite 90 degree weather in Redmond, Washington this weekend,  twenty-five volunteers gathered for a Cheerful Givers Birthday Bag Blitz and filled 300 birthday gift bags.  A big Thank You to everyone who participated! 

 Piccolo’s Pizzeria in Eagan, Minnesota has been described as a quaint, family run place with broasted chicken that rocks, mouth-watering fries, great pizza and wonderful service.  But in addition to the food they offer, owners Wally and Pat Boudreau, who are on-site seven nights a week, have hearts of gold.

While their small business isn’t making them rich, they are reaching out to support Cheerful Givers in little ways that are making a difference.  In addition to their own donations, they keep a collection container on the check-out counter for customers who wish to make a contribution. And for those who prefer to pick-up their pizza but still want to leave a tip, we’ve heard these generous owners will turn those tips into donations as well.  It’s people like the Boudreaus who are the real heroes of our community.

By the way, we’ve also heard others say “it’s worth a trip to the burbs.”  They are located at 4162 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan.

  During National Volunteer Week, we join the many organizations who are thanking those who volunteer their time and talents to help others.  Last year, 3,878 volunteers gave their time to help us brighten a child’s birthday. Because we operate with just one staff, it would be impossible to even come close to meeting our goals without the great support of our volunteers.  THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone who supported us on Cheerful Givers Day, Sunday, April 20th at the Mall of America to celebrate the birthday of all children.

Brian Turner (BT) of Cities 97 radio did his usual fantastic job as MC, and the crowd was thrilled with the music of Jeff James.  There was friendly competition between the Minnesota RollerGirls and the Minnesota Thunder soccer players in trying to get the most donations, but the win went to the Girls.  And another winner was Ragnar, Minnesota Vikings Mascot, who signed autographs, posed for photos and took time to talk to and listen to many kids. Special guests also included Megan Herickhoff, Miss Teen Minnesota, and Todd Krulewich of the Minnesota Twins.

There were lots of little artists out and about because we had many great coloring contest winners. And face painters, Julia and Sharon, put smiles on all the faces they decorated. The waitstaff from Bubba Gumps Restaurant took time from their busy Sunday afternoon to come and sing their rendition of Happy Birthday, joined by none other than Shrimp Louie. And everyone got to learn a bit more about our wonderful volunteers from Jeff Patnode, Marianne Richmond and Emily Morissette.

There are many people and organizations who made this event possible.  To our sponsors: Cities 97, Bubba Gump, Dakota Electric Association, Frank Milnar DDS, Minnesota Energy and Thrivent Financial (Central Minneapolis, Dakota County & Washington County Chapters) –  we say THANK YOU as well as to the 30 donors of silent auction items.  Great big kudos go to the many volunteers who made this Big Birthday Bash a big success!  

If you haven’t heard by now, Sunday, April 20th has been proclaimed by our Governor as “Cheerful Givers Day” and we plan to celebrate at the Mall of America between 1-3pm.  With our Master of Ceremonies being BT of Cities 97 radio, we’re assured of having a fun time!

The event includes entertainment by singer/guitarist Jeff James, a competition between the Minnesota Roller Girls and the Minnesota Thunder Soccer Players to raise donations, autographs by Ragnar, Minnesota Vikings Mascot, a silent auction, smiley cupcakes, face painting, fun games, characters, coloring contest and more.  Hope you can join us!