Posts by category: Family
January 17th, 2012 | Birthdays, Events, Family, Funding, Upcoming Event, Volunteers
On Saturday, March 31st from 1-3 pm, Cheerful Givers will once again host “The Great Minnesota Birthday Party” in Sear’s Court at the Mall of America.
We will be celebrating reaching our milestone of Half a Million Kids Receiving Birthday Bags since our organization began. We plan to have special guests fill the 500,000th birthday bag at the event, and the Governor is proclaiming it “Cheerful Givers Day” throughout Minnesota.
We will have a number of interactive elements this year that allows visitors to experience the Birthday Party in a way that resonates with each of them. The design will invite the passer-by to stop and engage while floor visuals grow throughout the event. Included will be a Join the Party opportunity, scavenger hunt, Knowledge Quest informational kiosks, Build a Birthday Bag Lego Station and many prize drawings.
It’s a free event with donations encouraged. All are welcome!
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January 16th, 2012 | Birthdays, Family, Giving, Volunteers
Between 1955 and 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. helped change America. Each year, on the third Monday in January, we celebrate his birthday. This is the first national holiday to honor an individual black American. The legacy of Dr. King lives in each of us who have dreams of a better world.
To celebrate his birthday on January 16th, you might take some time to help change America in a small way by assembling a variety of small new toys into gift bags at your own location. Then donate them to a local food shelf or shelter. Let us know how many bags you filled and where they were donated. Photos are also welcome.
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June 23rd, 2011 | Family, Volunteers
I’ve been involved with Cheerful Givers since the mid-90s. My introduction to the organization was through an early redesign of their website. I was invited to be a board member a few years later and have been honored to serve in that capacity ever since.Currently, I co-chair the communications committee, help update the website and newsletter and coordinate Cheerful Givers’ social media efforts. I make my living designing things like websites and blogs. I feel fortunate to be able to share these skills as a board member.
Though Cheerful Givers, my daughters have been exposed to the experience of giving to others in need. Seeing them finally “get it” during a family bag blitz is one of my fondest memories. They’ve learned that small actions can make a big difference and eagerly look forward to the next volunteer event.
I’m incredibly thankful to be part of Cheerful Givers.
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December 23rd, 2010 | Children, Family, Holidays, Kids
People often say it’s the smiles of kids that are the best part of the holiday season. For us, knowing there were more than 50,000 less fortunate children who were able to have a Happy Birthday this year, is the best reason of all to smile.
Many thanks to everyone who continues to support our mission — and may you have a very Happy New Year!
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July 9th, 2010 | Children, Family, Giving, Kids, Volunteers
Two year-olds through kindergarten age children who participate in the Sunday School program at Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church earned their own money by doing chores, sacrificing a trip to McDonalds and saving their allowance to purchase birthday gifts which filled 62 birthday bags. One young girl even used her own birthday money. Bre Pilon, who organized the event, said “The response is amazing even at such a young age. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to teach our children to think beyond themselves…”
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June 29th, 2010 | Children, Donations, Family, Giving, Kids
Interesting suggestion in the Philanthropy Potluck blog –
“The next time your family comes together for a day at the lake or a barbecue in the backyard, why not take an hour to discuss your estate and how your family can make an impact on the things that are most meaningful to all of you?”
To help you start the discussion, they provide some topics and questions to post to your “kitchen table philanthropists.” Read full article.
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April 19th, 2010 | Birthdays, Children, Donations, Family, Giving, Kids
Kids Preferred is dedicated to “creating superior quality, innovative soft toys and gifts for children of all ages using unique, playful designs that help instill a love of learning and create everlasting childhood memories.”
We are most grateful for a wonderful donation of these amazing toys!
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March 3rd, 2010 | Birthdays, Family, Volunteers
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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February 21st, 2010 | Children, Donations, Family, Giving, Kids
Thanks to Jenny Friedman, Executive Director of Doing Good Together for promoting our need for crayons to go along with a large donation of coloring books we received. She simply said:
“Looking for something simple that your family, co-workers, school, scout, civic or church group can do to help kids? How about collecting new boxes of crayons and sending them to Cheerful Givers? Any age can help shop and donate. Very little time commitment needed.”
Kristen Marsan used the opportunity to teach her kids about helping others and she commented: “The poor Wal-Mart clerk had to maneuver huge piles of quarters and dimes. I’m praying that even those little boxes of crayons (and all the rest that you do) are used to encourage other people, both big and small!”
Note: We still need lots of crayons!
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December 11th, 2009 | Birthdays, Children, Donations, Family, Holidays, Kids
This 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!
