Posts by category: Funding
November 26th, 2008 | Birthdays, Donations, Funding, Giving, Volunteers
45,309 less fortunate children have received birthday gifts so far this year because many generous people were willing to take the time and make the effort to make a difference.
During this week of giving thanks, we are very grateful to all the wonderful volunteers, donors, suppliers and partners who are helping us reach our vision that ALL parents living in poverty will be able to give their child a birthday gift.
Thank You!
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November 25th, 2008 | Events, Funding
“The Great Minnesota Birthday Party”
Saturday, April 4th from 1-3 pm at the Mall of America in Sear’s Court
Governor Pawlenty has proclaimed April 4th “Cheerful Givers Day”
- Jearlyn Steele, performer, talk show host, singer from The Steele Family
- Singers/Guitarists: Jeff James & John Delsalva
- Matt Blair, former Minnesota Viking
- Kids “Happy Birthday Singing Contest” (Beacon Academy, University of St. Thomas Women’s Choir & Partnership Academy)
- Minnesota Twins Mascot, TC Bear
- Shrimp Louie & Bubba Gump Singers
- Klondike Kates
- Prize drawings, coloring contest, face painting & more
The Barnes & Noble store at the Mall of America is hosting a Bookfair to support Cheerful Givers Day. All items purchased with a Bookfair voucher (except member cards, gift cards and magazine subsciptions) at the store from noon – 4 pm on Sat. April 4 will result in 10% of the sale being donated to our organization. Vouchers to obtain this donation will be available at our event and in the store. You can also print this PDF version of the voucher and bring it into the store. They have a vast selection of books, DVDs, CDs, gifts, games and other items. Just present your voucher with your items and you will be a Cheerful Giver!
If you can’t join us in person, please consider making an online donation. Thrivent Financial will provide some matching funds for donations.
Event is sponsored by: Bremer Banks, Thrivent Financial & Dakota Electric Association.
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October 16th, 2008 | Donations, Events, Funding, Kids, News, Volunteers
On October 15th, bloggers everywhere will publish posts that discuss poverty in some way. By all posting on the same day, we aim to change the conversation that day, to rasie awareness, start a global discussion and add momentum to an important cause. Because Cheerful Giver’s mission is to provide toy-filled birthday gift bags for children living in poverty, we are pleased to participate.
Not long ago, I had an opportunity to talk to a group of eleven and twelve-year-old Girl Scouts about our nonporofit organization. As soon as I explained how our volunteers fill birthday gift bags with toys for children living in poverty, one of the girls quickly raised her hand. Now the setting for this meeting was in a nicely decorated home in a middle-class suburb in Minnesota. Continue reading »
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September 26th, 2008 | Donations, Funding, News
Many individuals support the United Way campaign. While Cheerful Givers is not a United Way agency, we greatly appreciate when donors designate Cheerful Givers on their United Way pledge form. Your support will allow us to give more kids living in poverty a “Happy Birthday.”
For more information contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org.
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August 27th, 2008 | Donations, Events, Funding, Volunteers
1,400 Comcast employees and their families, in partnership with 21 organizations, including Cheerful Givers, volunteered their time as part of Comcast’s Annual Comcast Cares Day, which is the cornerstone of Comcast’s year-round employee community service program called Comcast Cares.
In addition to a group of employees filling 800 birthday gift bags with toys, The Comcast Foundation awarded Cheerful Givers a grant of $1,110 in recognition of Comcast’s commitment to the communities where its customers and employees live and work. Since its founding in 1999, The Comcast Foundation has distributed more than $50 million in support of programs implemented in Comcast communities.
This grant will be used to help purchase the toys and items needed for birthday gift bags. Cheerful Givers is proud to be a year-round partner of Comcast.
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August 20th, 2008 | Donations, Events, Funding, Kids, Volunteers
Going to the county fair is a tradition that is treasured by many families. This year, as part of the 150th celebration at the Dakota County, MN Fair, August 10th was designated as Volunteer Day. Volunteers from 22 nonprofit organizations were recognized for their efforts in serving the community.
The event also included information about how to get involved in the various organizations and the benefits of volunteering. Two hands-on speed volunteer activities were featured to support the work of Cheerful Givers and the Minnesota Zoo. Fairgoers filled 140 birthday gift bags with toys which were distributed to less fortunate children.
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July 24th, 2008 | Donations, Funding, Kids
Received a very fun package of about 200 stuffed toys from Binkley Toys Inc. in Hamilton, Ontario. They are a custom stuffed toy manufacturer specializing in custom bulk toys. We know the kids who receive them in our birthday gift bags are going to treasure them. Thanks to our northern neighbors!
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May 4th, 2008 | Donations, Funding
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.
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April 23rd, 2008 | Donations, Events, Funding, Volunteers
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!
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April 18th, 2008 | Events, Funding
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!
