March 3rd, 2010 | Birthdays, Family, Volunteers

Steele Family 2

The Steele family recently enjoyed filling birthday bags and Sonja Steele had this to say about their experience – “My family had a good time shopping for children’s gift items and putting the birthday bags together.  I have sent information to all my friends and posted our Birthday Bag event on Facebook in order to help you serve more children in need.  We enjoyed participating in your program and would like to do it again in the future.”    Thank you Steele family!

We’re looking for more groups (corporate, civic, school or church) as well as families to join our “Dedicated Volunteers” who want to fill birthday bags on a monthly or quarterly basis. Contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org for more information.

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March 1st, 2010 | Birthdays, News, Press

Maynard Steele Robin

Congressman John Kline honored Cheerful Givers at the bi-annual Star of the North award ceremony held on February 16 in Lakeville, Minnesota.  Kline  stated “It has come to my attention that Cheerful Givers has assisted our community by ensuring that families struggling with financial hardship have birthday presents for their children.”

 Cheerful Givers Founder, Robin Steele in accepting the award commented  ”It was a great honor for me to accept the “Star of the North” Congressional Recognition on behalf of all the Cheerful Givers volunteers who give their time and contributions to help less fortunate children. “

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January 18th, 2010 | Birthdays, Giving, Holidays, Volunteers

22455_268356509824_61563874824_3241305_3352825_sStaff at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by assembling 50 birthday bags which were then delivered to the STEP food shelf for parents to give to their children. 

Debra Savitt commented “It went really fast and the staff enjoyed it as well. I hope we can do this again.  I am talking it up to everyone I know as the best volunteer opportunity.”

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January 15th, 2010 | Birthdays, Children, Donations, Funding, News, Press

Build-a-bear-logoWe were very pleased to receive a donation of $1,500 from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation to support our birthday bag gift program.  Matt Oldani, Foundation Bear, writes “We are thrilled to be able to partner with you to help children.”

Each year the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation continues to advance its mission of improving communities and impacting lives through meaningful philanthropic programs that support children, families, animals and the environment.  We are proud to be one of their “best friends.”

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December 29th, 2009 | Birthdays, Children, Donations, Giving, News

DSC_0112Was an amazing day today as our Cheerful Givers volunteers partnered with the Minnesota Vikings to fill 300 birthday gift bags at their Winter Park facility!

While players had returned home at 4 am from their previous nights’ game in Chicago, they managed to be wide awake and willing to help at 10 am. KARE 11 news captured a bit of the event on their 6 pm news tonight and Fox Sports will be broadcasting the event on Sunday when Cheerful Givers will be honored with a “Hometown Hero” award during the Vikings game with the NY Giants.

Read more on the Vikings website or watch this short video. We have a set of photos on Flickr too. Go Vikes! Continue reading »

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December 11th, 2009 | Birthdays, Children, Donations, Family, Holidays, Kids

smiley SantaThis year many people are rethinking their holiday gift giving and want to do something to reach out to those who are really struggling.  One way to do that is with a  Cheerful Givers certificate  which you can print after you make any size donation. Many parents today often spend $100 on  one holiday gift for their child which lasts a short while. Yet that same $100 could provide toy-filled birthday gift bags for ten economically disadvantaged children.  In addition, the parents giving the gift are afforded a much-needed sense of dignity, value and hope. It communicates that the parent cares and that the community cares.  You can donate now!

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Quotes

We are always looking for ways for our employees to give back to the community. People want to give, but their days are busy and it’s hard to fit in one more commitment. Making birthday bags is easy, it’s quick and employees don’t even have to leave the building. — Jeannie LeMere, Thrivent Financial

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