Spring Newsletter 2014

SPRING 2014
Newsletter
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Kids 'n Kinship
14870 Granada Ave. #127
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-892-6368
www.kidsnkinship.org
Jan Belmore – Director
Rita Younger – Program Coordinator
Ingrid Henry– Kinship Coordinator
Moses Dennis – Recruitment Coordinator
Welcome Moses to Kids ‘n Kinship Staff!
Moses Dennis is our new Recruitment Coordinator! His
job is to work diligently to find mentors for the youth on
our waiting list for a mentor. He has more than 25 years
of experience in public relations and communications.
"I'm excited to be a part of an organization that truly
makes a difference in the lives of our youth and their
families, and has an
excellent reputation in the
community," Moses
exclaimed.
An avid tennis fan, Mr.
Dennis has been a volunteer
junior tennis coach and
served on several tennis
committees. He and his wife,
Mary, have lived in Savage,
Minnesota for the past 20
years. They have four adult
sons.
Printing of this newsletter donated by
Mail Pack and Ship
14870 Granada Ave,
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Spring Outing & Volunteer
Appreciation Event
15th Annual Bowlathon!
Sunday, April 27th
At Cedarvale Lanes
3883 Cedar Grove Parkway Eagan
(651-452-7520)
3:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M. Register & Bowl
Who can attend? Volunteers/children who are matched
and their families, waiting list children and their parent(s)
and siblings who live in the household.
We’ll have shoes, balls, bumper lanes if you desire,
all you can drink pop, all you can eat chips.
Register online by April 20th at
http://kinshipbowlathon2014.eventbrite.com/
PHOTOS –we will be taking photos for use in our
newsletter, website and possibly other venues.
Tell us if you DON’T want your child’s photo used.
The Bowlathon raises funds to support the mission of the
program. Kids ‘n Kinship members are encouraged to
collect donations. Children are not permitted to go door
to door to collect pledges unless accompanied by an
adult. Everyone who raises at least $25 gets a gift.
Use the Pledge Form insert in this newsletter!
We also invite corporate and group bowlers
to join us 5:30-7:00 P.M.–
See pledge sheet for the link to sign up
Bring your pledges to the Bowlathon or share this link so
your friends and family can donate online:
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Kids-N-Kinship
Directions to Cedarvale: Take Hwy 13 North from Cedar
Ave. Take a right at Silverbell Road. Go to stoplight; stay
straight on Cedar Grove Parkway. Cedarvale Lanes is a
block ahead on the right side.
The bowlathon is sponsored by Cedarvale Lanes
Match Highlight: Anniversaries & Basketball
Welcome New Matches
Larry Koehler & Christopher
Barbara Krech & Alyssa
Brad Gluth & Joshua
John & Gail Rice and Cam’ron
Patti Nolan & Paul Kielb and Elizabeth
Stephanie Nelson & Taizaya
Rachel Steinkamp & Elizabeth
Laura Suess & Jonealya
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Monte Amundson and his family came forward to mentor
in 2012. He heard about Kids 'n Kinship at Toro and
from his son who volunteered with high school students,
on a team at our bowlathon. Monte and his family of five
are mentors to Rome and Luke ages 10 and 12. Each
week they get together with either both boys together or
one or the other, trading weeks. Monte says "they are
very good boys and we are doing fabulous with
mentoring and it is fun for our family too"!
Join us for Scrapbooking & Card-Making!
You’re invited to our next session Thursday April 10,
5:30 pm – 7 pm at the Galaxie Library in Apple
Valley. Bring photos & ticket stubs & a scrapbook if
you’d like – all other supplies & training provided by
Patty Perfetti! Please let Ingrid (ihkinship@aol.com or
952-891-3885) know if you plan to attend.
At first, Rome and Luke seemed hesitant about
mentoring in general. Meeting their mentor family made
them more comfortable and we have been delighted to
have them attend several of the Kids 'n Kinship Outings
in addition to their weekly get-togethers. Photos are
from the Spring Outing in 2013 and the Winter Outing in
2014.
The boys have become a part of the Amundson family.
They go over for dinner and family game night, playing
Guesstures and Taboo. They play basketball even in
the middle of our cold Minnesota winters, in order to
keep active.
Mom recalled that at first the boys were hesitant about
going anywhere or doing anything. After the mentor
families' gentle guidance, caring and encouragement,
they come back full of fun stories and are so glad they
are matched. They have been sledding at local parks,
skating and to sport and school events including a Twins
game. Mom says "They are both trying new things like
hiking and golf, which I never thought they would."
Community Bike Sale
Volunteer mentor Rick Anderson holds an annual
Community Bike Sale for Kids 'n Kinship with program
participants invited to a pre-sale the night before (Friday,
th
May 16 ) from 5 pm to 9 pm. The regular sale open to
the public will be Saturday, May 17th, 9 am to 1 pm at
12738 Ethelton Way, Apple Valley. Bikes have been
refurbished and prices range from $10 to $300, with
most bikes priced under $60. Don’t miss it!
Happy Anniversary to this fun match!
Mentor Wins Be the Change Award
Congratulations Kids ‘n Kinship mentor Judy Olhoft for
being one of 4 winners of the Be the Change award for
2014! Judy was given this award Saturday February 15
at the Hands On Twin Cities Volunteer Expo at the Mall
of America.
CEM 900 Save the Date
Saturday morning June 7, 10 A.M. at Merchant’s Bank Welcome Home Celebration for CEM 900 mile bike ride
fundraiser for Kids ‘n Kinship. Join us for a fun free
event welcoming back John Elder, mentor, and Dennis
Hill, board member, Larry Koehler, mentor, and their
crew from their trip touring northern Minnesota by bike.
Other Events:
Fishing Fun in Eagan for ages 8-13
Eagan Water Resources staff provide instruction and
equipment. A valid fishing license is required for people
16 years and up if helping a child to fish. Dates,
locations and registration for these FREE events are at:
www.cityofeagan.com, click on Recreation and Events
Lake Fest - June 14, 2014
Celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month! Enjoy fishing
(equipment provided), make fish prints and bird houses,
visit with natural resource experts, and more. A fishing
license not required for this event only. For times and
location:
http://www.cityofeagan.com/index.php/recreation/commu
nity-events
Decision Making and Conflict Resolution
It is for everyone! As we shared in our Winter 2014 Newsletter, Kids 'n Kinship has been awarded a State of MN Office of
Justice, Youth Intervention Program grant for the next 2 years! This grant brought in an emphasis on helping mentees
with decision making and conflict resolution skills. We have been introducing strategies in communications and
trainings. The new outcomes we will measure are: youth will increase their decision making skills and youth will increase
their conflict resolution skills.
We will be asking for updates on the new outcomes during our outreach with mentors and parents/guardians. Also, we
will be speaking with mentees ages 12 and over during outreach. We appreciate everyone’s support in rolling out the new
emphasis because Decision Making and Conflict Resolution is for everyone!
DONORS
Thank You Donors
Allina Health % Judy Olhoft
Ameriprise % Mike Pelzel
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN %
Deanna Boekhoff
Burnsville Breakfast Rotary
Burnsville Lions
Burnsville Rotary
Eagan Foundation
First Presbyterian Church
Foley and Mansfield
Grace Lutheran Endowment Fund
Hands On Twin Cities % Judy
Olhoft
Health Partners % Jan Menne
Allina Health Foundation
Richard M. Schulze Family
Foundation
Staples Foundation
Symantec % Ken Heckmann
Thomson Reuters % Lori Perkins,
Wendy Haroldson, Kevin Stirtz,
Jerod Lass, Matthew Wendt, and
Tim Masso
Travelers % Karen Kooda
Zinpro % Brad Frisvold
Thank You Individual Donors
Dennis Hill
James Swanke
Kirsten Storlie
Linda Harty
Lucy Petermeier
Melinda Martin
Mike Pelzel
Monica Jensen
Nicholas Martinez
Pamela Garvey
Rachele Argir % Andrea Hansen
Scott Nordeen
Food Perspective Donors
Bob Gansler
Mike Milligan
Wendy Boyd
Thank You Designated Donors
Hilary Swanson
Karen Peters
Karla Kosel
Kevin Stirtz
Kirsten Storlie
Matthew Wendt
Melinda Staff
Sarah Gerber
Sarah Rudolph
Tim Masso
Wendy Haroldson
Thank You In-kind Donors
3M Community Affairs
Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills
and Bauer P.A.
Mail, Pack & Ship
Media Relations
Nickelodeon Universe
Patsy Ryan
Roxane Tolle
Thomson Reuters
KIDS ‘N KINSHIP’S 15th ANNUAL BOWLATHON and BASKET RAFFLE
Sunday April 27th
At Cedarvale Lanes, 3883 Cedar Grove Parkway in Eagan
_______________________
For mentors, children and families
If you want to raise pledges, we welcome you to do so,
however pledge collecting is not required to attend this event.
Children are not permitted to go door to door to collect
pledges unless accompanied by an adult /guardian. Everyone
who raises at least $25 will receive a Kids ‘n Kinship gift item.
Bring your pledges to the Bowlathon. Bowl with us from 3 to
5 pm. If a parent or mentor is part of a group or business
interested in supporting our event, please share the following
information with them.
For community or business sponsors
You are invited to sponsor us in the following ways:
* support the bowlathon with a donation
* have your company name on a lane for $200.00.
* bring four bowlers with pledges totaling $100.00 and bowl with us from 5:30-7 pm
* support a team at the $50.00 level
_______________________
To Register:
Kids 'n Kinship Participants: http://kinshipbowlathon2014.eventbrite.com/
Community, School, Sport or Business Teams: http://kinshipbowlfundraiser14.eventbrite.com
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Pledge Form
Donations are tax deductible and support Kids ‘n Kinship matching
volunteer mentors with children in need of support.
The Bowlathon is sponsored by Cedarvale Lanes.
Pledges are to be collected in advance.
Checks can be made payable to Kids ‘n Kinship.
Bring your pledges to the bowlathon
OR if you prefer to make your pledge
on line, please go to
www.kidsnkinship.org, click on Donate
Now.
Please fill out and bring this form to
the Bowlathon
so we can track your donation.
Pledger’s Name
Kids 'n Kinship
Address/City/Zip
Phone
Pledge/Paid
1. ___________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
Questions? call 952-891-3885 or
email: ihkinship@aol.com
5. _____________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________
9._____________________________________________________