Cheerful Givers » Volunteers

Cargill Cares

Karen — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:30:16 +0000

“Everyone involved had a lot of fun and really appreciated that the event could be done on campus” commented Steve Thyren who helped to organize it. Employees from the AgHorizon’s and Grain & Oilseed Supply Chain North America (GOSCNA) groups assembled 1,000 birthday bags at their corporate headquarters in Minnetonka on Feb. 2nd.

“Multiple people mentioned that they hope we do it again in the future. Many thanks to Cheerful Givers for the fine work that you do! The magnitude that each bag represents for a child and parent was felt by all involved and it felt good to be a part of it.” Steve added.

78 – 91 Year Olds Lend A Hand

Karen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:17:30 +0000

Al, who is 91, looks forward to every Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm when he can do something that’s going to bring lots of joy to 50 more kids. Pauline recalls that “Growing up we lived on a farm and I didn’t realize that you got gifts for your birthday.” This amazing group of 78-91 year-olds at the Ecumen Seasons in Apple Valley talked about how “Filling birthday bags is teamwork and everyone cooperates.” When asked what they like the best, they all seemed to agree it’s “doing something for someone else.”

The Great Minnesota Birthday Party Is Coming!

Karen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:46:29 +0000

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 500,000^th 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!

Martin Luther King Day Project

Karen — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:48:02 +0000

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.

Vicki Kline-Flores — Volunteer-of-the-Year

Karen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:45:47 +0000

Each year our Board of Directors has the difficult task of choosing one person to represent the many dedicated volunteers who are the essence of Cheerful Givers.

Vicki Kline-Flores was chosen as our 2011 volunteer-of-the-year based on her tremendous work ethic and willingness to help wherever needed.

Vicki leads the Cheerful Givers volunteer team at Ecolab’s headquarters in St. Paul where employees periodically create birthday bags during their lunch time, and she’s been instrumental in reaching out to employees in their Eagan and Grand Forks offices which has resulted in more support. Each month Vicki also makes time to pick up specially made wooden toys and delivers them to a school where teens with disabilities assemble them into birthday gift bags. She has truly been a cheerleader in spreading awareness of our mission wherever she goes, and because of her, many children have been able to have a Happy Birthday.

To recognize her efforts, she was given the President’s Volunteer Service award from the Points of Light Foundation along with a letter of gratitude from President Obama.

Congratulations and many thanks Vicki!

Bringing Smiles at Optuminsight

Karen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:53:33 +0000

Tamara Pechtel, Onboarding Specialist, Human Capital Program at Optuminsight sent along these comments following their birthday bag event.

“We were thrilled to have Cheerful Givers come to our OptumInsight campus to share their story and how assembling birthday gift bagscan benefit so many children state wide.

Our group had such a fantastic time putting gift bags together knowing we were going to make a difference in a young child’s life on their birthday. Working with Karen at Cheerful Givers
made the whole experience just fantastic. We truly look forward to a partnership that helps families in times of need by bringing a smile to their son or daughter’s face!”

Team Building at Select Comfort

Karen — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:00:53 +0000

Mentors and mentees at Select Comfort spent part of their recent event assembling birthday bags. Wendy Schoppert, CFO at Select Comfort who launched the mentoring initiative this past year commented, “Cheerful Givers was a great team-building event – but most importantly, a wonderful way to give back to our community and help families in need.”

Kathy’s 60th Birthday

Karen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:29:10 +0000

By Kathy Stoller-Junghans

Turning 60 has been full of joy and abundant blessings! My birthday
wishes were to collect and put together 60 birthday bags, collect 60 pounds of
food for the food shelves and 60 pair of shoes for the homeless. It was a
wonderful birthday, and many friends enjoyed being involved in my efforts to
provide a little joy to children.

This also reflected what I have tried to make my life about, rather than
receiving a bunch of stuff that I didn’t need and had no meaning. Thank you for
your willingness to represent the children.

I realize birthday bags will not save the world, but they will contribute to
making children feel special, cared for and loved. Someday, in the lives of
these children when they are grown and become adults, I believe they will pay
it forward because someone cared enough to reach out a loving hand.

120 Volunteers Make A Difference

Karen — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:53:08 +0000

On Saturday, October 22, which was national Make A Difference Day, millions of Americans helped to change the world. 120 Cheerful Givers volunteers along with mentors and mentees with Kids ‘n Kinship got together to assemble 3,000 toy-filled birthday gift bags for less fortunate children.

Special guests Natalie Davis, Miss Minnesota 2011 and Haley Obrien, Miss Minnesota Collegiate, joined the efforts to help reach more of the 174,000 kids in Minnesota who are now living in poverty. The event was hosted by Thomson Reuters in Eagan. Many thanks to sponsors: AAA Minnesota/Iowa, Hands On Twin Cities, Northern Dakota and Southern Dakota/Scott County Chapters of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

See more photos on Flickr.

Preschoolers Do Service Project

Karen — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:29:44 +0000

The children and parents at Steppingstones Preschool
at St. John the Baptist in Savage, MN collected items and assembled birthday
bags for their service project.

“The kids really enjoyed this project and it was a great way for them to
help children in their community who are less fortunate” commented Shannon Martin, parent.