E-Newsletter - Spring 2010




	Upcoming Volunteer Projects & Events			DeAnna Lucas Receives ARRM Cares Award DeAnna Lucas, a counselor for our Services to Persons with Special Needs program, was one of six direct support professionals to receive the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) Cares Award. Learn More> Follow us! Check out our Annual Report: Suggestions or Story Ideas Donate Online Volunteer Contact: Kim Rymer Director of Communications 952-945-4074 krymer@voamn.org Address: Volunteers of America - Minnesota 7625 Metro Blvd. Mpls., MN 55439 Main phone: 952-945-4000 Website: www.voamn.org
	*We couldn’t do all that we do without the help and support of our volunteers!* During the month of April, we highlighted volunteerism on our blog with some cool stories about people who are making a difference. *Read the Stories>* Here are some opportunities to volunteer and make a difference with us this summer/fall: Bowling for Backpacks: Tuesday, July 27th, 5-8pm, Park Tavern, St. Louis Park. Get a team of bowlers together to have fun, kick-off our Operation Backpack program, and raise money for Volunteers of America. Learn more> Operation Backpack: August 2nd-23rd. Purchase or collect new backpacks filled with school supplies for at-risk children and teens in need. *Learn More>* Thanksgiving Food Drives: September 1st-November 12th. Organize a Thanksgiving food drive at your office, neighborhood, or church to provide complete Thanksgiving meals to families and seniors in need. *Learn More>* Adopt a Family: September 1st-Mid-December (drop-off dates TBD). Sponsor a low income family, senior, or child by purchasing holiday gifts from wish lists written by the recipients themselves. Learn More> Specialized Volunteer Projects: Ongoing. A chance to work in partnership with us to develop a unique, impactful volunteer experience for your corporate/employee group. Contact Vicki Testerman at vtesterman@voamn.org or 952-945-4063 for more information. Learn More> Pictured above: Land O'Lakes employee volunteers completed outdoor projects at our Omegon Residential Treatment Center in Minnetonka including exterior painting, major grounds cleanup and landscaping.
	Making A Difference. Changing Lives.
	*Miranda: Road to Social Acceptance* Miranda, almost 11, stepped heavily out of the school bus and onto the pavement. She squeezed between two rusty old cars and trudged up the fractured sidewalk toward her home in north Minneapolis. As she plodded homeward, she could feel her damp underwear beneath the old sweatshirt and pants the school had loaned to her. *Learn More>* *Mor Lee: Alive!* Mor Lee led a peaceful life in Laos with her husband and five children. It was a simple existence, and she was satisfied because she had the things she and her family needed to live day-to-day on their small farm. But then, her husband was killed while fighting in the Laotian Civil War. Learn More>
	Recent Program News
	Noteworthy Tidbits Find out why Christine Harnack, DeAnna Lucas, Metro Deaf School-Minnesota North Star Academy and other received special recognition! Learn More>
	How You Can Help
	Leave A Legacy: Ideas for Maximizing Your Ability to Make a Gift! Legacy gifts are an important ingredient to a healthy financial foundation. This year, especially with all of the challenges we have seen with the economy, some key legacy gifts have made it possible for us to continue to offer high quality services without interruption. *Learn More>*