Serving the communities of Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake,
Medina, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Plymouth, and Wayzata
e-Touch
IOCP's monthly online newsletter
October 2009 | |
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Cargill, General Mills sleep outs, Nov. 13
Kickoff Rally, Communitywide Sleep Out, Nov. 14
Fall Prayer Breakfast, Nov. 20
Beauty and the Beast, Dec. 16
| |
|
LaDonna Hoy
Executive Director
As we enter the Sleep Out season once again, I'm reminded of why we undertake this campaign. It's hard work, no question, to maintain an all-out press for 6 weeks. It certainly moves us out of our comfort zone to sleep out in the cold and to give more than we think we're able.
The real value of the Sleep Out is that it touches the heart of this wonderful community and has become our collective rallying cry for affordable housing.
The Sleep Out builds awareness of the real need 1,000 families--
our neighbors--will face without our help. A $2 million need. It reminds us of the value of a community that takes care of its own. Through your generous support last year, we are beginning our newest project to renovate 6 units of affordable housing. It takes a village, friends. A village with heart.
The Sleep Out also strengthens ties with our beloved community partners. Cargill and General Mills are each hosting their 3rd annual companywide sleep outs, directing funds to IOCP's housing efforts. Upsher-Smith is back for its 2nd annual sleep out, stronger than ever.
The youth from Wayzata Community Church, other church groups, schools, bankers, and clergy continue to lead the rallying cry. New this year, and very welcome, is Best Buy, which is sponsoring Peter Larson as he sleeps out at the Ridgedale store Thanksgiving night.
The Sleep Out has nurtured young leaders like 15-year-old Peter, who has become our local hero for sleeping out every night of the campaign to raise awareness and funds for housing. Imagine the heart and will it takes to set a personal goal of $100,000!
Value is found in each one of you who joins us every year. It is your response, your support, your heart that makes all the difference.
We hope to see you at the kickoff rally at Klapprich Park. We hope to hear you join in the rallying cry for afforable housing. With one voice let's make it happen this year, friends. Let's make sure every family has a safe place to call home.
Thank you!
| |
Sleep Out 2009: Shelter from the Storm
 Our community faces a $2 million housing need. 1,000 families caught in
a perfect storm caused by lost jobs, lost housing, and less help. You can have a direct impact and ensure they have a stable, affordable place to call home.
Demonstrate there is enough. Support the Sleep Out with an online donation
or mail your gift to IOCP, 110 Grand Ave., Wayzata MN 55391.
Be part of something good. Come to the kickoff rally at Klapprich Park on Nov. 14 and stay for the communitywide sleep out (Jill Kohler for details).
Support the Sleep Out. Create a fundraising page and encourage friends and family to support your effort.
Track our progress. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and on the IOCP web site.
Inspire others. Tell friends, colleagues, family, neighbors how the Sleep Out helps provide affordable housing for all.
A special thanks to Fuzzy Duck Design for creating a new logo and look for the Sleep Out Campaign.
|
Adopt-a-Family sponsors, volunteers needed
 If it's not already a tradition, contact Susan Fetterer to
sponsor a family and provide holiday gifts. You can also
gather your own family or group to help organize gift bags, greet families, and distribute gifts.
Volunteer Sign-Up |
Food Drive addresses increased use
Hunger Solutions Minnesota reported a 50% rise in food shelf usage in the metro area during the first quarter of 2009. Senior visits to metro-area food shelves increased 84% during this same period.
 With the holidays around the corner, please consider a monetary or in-kind donation to the IOCP Food Shelf.
List of needed items.
Deliver Thanksgiving food to IOCP by Nov. 12, holiday food by Dec. 10.
Thank you for helping to feed everyone in our community!
|
|
Shala Buckner joins staff
IOCP recently added a part-time case manager to its direct services staff. Shala Buckner, MSW, LGSW, enjoys helping families address challenges and achieve their goals.
Buckner was attracted to IOCP because of the passion staff and volunteers have for the work IOCP does. "I'm eager to work for an organization that has a big heart and cares about its families and employees," she said.
|
|
IOCP CHANGES THE ODDS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.
Our mission is to identify and respond to the basic unmet needs of people in our community, and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency through the creative action of an inclusive partnership of communities of faith, schools, government, businesses, community groups, foundations, health systems, and individuals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
