Cheerful Givers was also pleased to receive a $1,000 grant
from the Vikings Children’s Fund. Along with the grant,  a note from Mark
Wilf, Owner/President  stated “We congratulate you on the vital
contributions you are making in your community and look forward to seeing the
continuation of your fine efforts in the future.”

MikeBollinger, Cheerful Givers board member and Founder/CEO of Livefront, was recently featured in
Twin Cities Business Magazine as one of the “200 Minnesotans You Should Know.”

He was also being recognized for his work as co-founder of TECHdotMN, an organization that reports on
technology news in Minnesota.

We are proud to have Mike on our board!

Thanks to a generous donation from AAA Minnesota/Iowa and support from Hubbard Broadcasting, Cheerful Givers is now being featured in more than 100 thirty-second spots on KSTC-TV, Channel 45 in the Twin Cities area.

Randy Williams, Regional President, AAA Minnesota/Iowa commented “We appreciate your work and what the Cheerful Givers organization does for so many children, families, and communities. I am blessed to be able to be involved, and was very happy to see how our employees rallied in support. We hope the ads help inform and brings lots of additional support.”

Hubbard Broadcasting is offering to personalize this ad to other businesses that may be interested by changing the final logo and tag line. Opportunities for matching spots may exist as well. Contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org for more information.

218 attendees learned more about our Cheerful Givers mission and had a chance to ask questions of the players.  The Twins generously donated 20 prizes, including autographed shirts, hats, homer hankies, Twins tickets and even a wind-up Michael Cuddyer.  Players announced the winners during the event.

A live auction was also conducted by Michael Cuddyer for a bat he had signed by all team members, a framed photo and baseball cards autographed by Harmon Killebrew, and use of the Mauer/Morneau suite for 16 guests.

The event concluded with VIP ticket holders getting their items autographed by these great players. Fox Sports covered the event and there’s a great slideshow now appearing on Thisweek — “Breakfast With Champions and many photos at http://michaelcuddyer.com/photos/?album=2&gallery=2

Thanks to all who attended as well as the Chart House for hosting, Bremer Bank and Thrivent Financial (S. Dakota, SW Hennepin & S. Ramsey Chapters) for sponsoring, and ten great volunteers for helping.  Special thanks to Claudia Cuddyer and the players who graced us with their presence.  

 Taryn Davis, Founder of The American Widow Project earned the $25,000 award based on voting. 

Robin commented “It was a great honor to receive this award on behalf of the families we serve, as well as the thousands of volunteers and supporters who continue to give cheerfully to those who are less fortunate.”

An article about Cheerful Givers and this award is now appearing on Eagan Patch.

The book “A Glove of Their Own” – the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Children’s Book Award winner – inspires people from all walks of life to help disadvantaged children. An article now appearing in Baseball Digest features Michael Cuddyer of the Minnesota Twins, reading the book to his son, Casey.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will help provide birthday gifts for less fortunate kids when using the code CHG132 at the time of purchase at  “A Glove of Their Own” website.

Fox Sports North will be streaming the Cheerful Givers breakfast fundraiser Q&A with Michael Cuddyer & Jesse Crain  LIVE at 9:30 am CT at www.foxsportsnorth.com or watch pre-game show tonight to see a clip of it.

If you can’t join us in person at the event, you can still make a difference by making a donation. The 10th and 50th online donors today (9/20) will receive an item autographed by Michael Cuddyer as a thank you.

[audio:http://www.cheerfulgivers.org/site/audio/cheerfulgivers-cities97-083110.mp3]

228 less fortunate children will have Happy Birthdays thanks to the great support of the Minnesota Twins Wives and players who filled birthday bags following their winning game on July 18th. Special thanks to Claudia and Michael Cuddyer for helping to organize this fun event.

Watch for some great autographed Minnesota Twins items to be auctioned off  during our Social Summer Online Fundraiser throughout August.

The group also enjoyed wavers featuring right fielder Michael Cuddyer, which were provided by Animal Fair/Sports & Entertrainment.