Serving the communities of Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake,
Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata
e-Touch
IOCP's monthly online newsletter
December 2009 | |
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LaDonna Hoy
Executive Director
Miracle on Grand Avenue
Have you noticed the irony of life in community when times are tough?
Tough times seem to have a quiet force that moves people to act and to act differently and more boldly than usual. At least in this community.
Christmas at Interfaith a few days before the Adopt-A-Family deadline looked grim. Only half of the 492 families on our Christmas list had been adopted. A word to the community was all it took to stimulate a response that within two days cleaned up the list. All 492 families were adopted. Amazing.
The necessary and laudable discipline of personal belt tightening didn't seem to constrict hearts that know every family needs Christmas. Somehow this community finds its power to light up each other's darkest days even and especially when times are tough.
These times are especially tough for families of our community who have experienced the perfect storm of lost jobs or lost income and who struggle to keep a roof overhead.
That's why a communitywide Sleep Out. At this writing,
the Sleep Out is a little over half way to its goal of ensuring a safe place to call home for close to 1,000 families who need housing help.
Heartfelt thanks to all who have helped us get this far. It's time to turn the power on, friends. Time for another miracle on Grand.
Donations can be made online or by mail to IOCP, 110 Grand Ave., Wayzata.
Thank you!
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End-of-year giving reminder
Thursday, Dec. 31, is the last day to make a charitable contribution before year-end. Please consider a gift to IOCP. Donate online. Thank you, and Happy New Year!
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Barnes & Noble Book Drive ends Jan. 1
 Looking for ideas to spend your holiday gift money? Stop by the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble and purchase an extra book when you buy a book for yourself. The extra books will be distributed to children and teens from families served by IOCP. The store has selected a variety of books from which to choose.
IOCP is grateful to be this year's recipient of books collected for the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble's holiday book drive.
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Sleep Out Campaign still dancing 
Good news, community! Peter Larson reached his $100,000 goal, and we are at $1.12 million as of this mailing. We are grateful for your response in a year made tough by the economy and job losses. We are holding out for a holiday miracle, for those donors who have yet to respond. We will continue to accept donations through March 31 that will support our efforts to help 1,000 families with housing in the coming year. Thanks to those who have helped us get this far!
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Burgers for Bob adds "meal on the run" entrée
New this year is an order-ahead entrée featuring a choice of rigatoni with Italian sausage (red sauce) or pasta primavera (white sauce/no meat). Garlic toast and a "Bob" brownie are included. Call your order in by Wednesday, Jan. 20 (763-478-2101).
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Heartsong Concert celebrates IOCP's work
Jan. 31, 3:30 p.m.
Messiah Methodist Church
Please join us for a musical event you won't want to miss! A new concert, Heartsong (replacing ChoirFest), celebrates all the work IOCP has done over the past 31 years. The concert
will feature musicians from area churches, including a 30-piece orchestra, vocalists, violinists, g uitarists, pianists, and a worship band. No tickets needed; a freewill offering will support IOCP. |
Ordway event funds scholarship
More than 80 Caring for Kids Initiative supporters gathered in fundraising partnership with The Ordway Dec. 16 for a holiday presentation of Beauty and the Beast. All monies raised at this event help CfKI reach its goal of adding one early care and education scholarship each month, enabling more kids to enter kindergarten ready to learn. Thanks to all who participated!
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Volunteers launch rehab of 6 units
A huge thank you to the 100 people who blessed us with the gift of their time by volunteering in the rehabilitation of Boulevard Apartments (formerly Way 12 building) on Wayzata Blvd. Everyone from bank presidents and school board  superintendents to retirees, unemployed carpenters, eagle scouts, and confirmation class members demonstrated their commitment to affordable housing.
Because of their combined efforts, we are well on the way to creating 6 affordable homes for families in our community. Please stay with us, as there will be lots more opportunities to volunteer in the new year. Your support is appreciated.
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The community that creates hope
For many IOCP families, the holidays are a time of stress. Parents worry that what they can do is not enough. Their inability to provide Christmas gifts for their children underscores their struggles in a very painful way.
This community's generosity made the holidays brighter for 492 families, who received Christmas gifts through Adopt a Family. 359 individuals, families, schools, businesses and churches joined together to provide the gifts. More than 2,200 volunteers made it happen. The atmosphere on the day of distribution was cheerful and exciting. For the 90 families who were new to IOCP since the October registration for Adopt a Family, they received gift cards, thanks to additional donations. Those families were able to buy gifts and food for their holiday.
On behalf of these 582 families, thank you. We saw the surprise and gratitude on their faces when we told them we can help, thanks to you. Your generosity creates blessings in this community. You create hope.
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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.
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