’Tis the time of year when the generous spirit of the holiday season often inspires people to donate to their favorite cause or perhaps find a new one to support. Volunteering this season proves to enrich not only the work and mission of an organization, but the life of the volunteer as well. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of several local charities that benefit causes both near and far, all of which would welcome donations of time, talent or treasure. We’ve also included civic organizations that have a significant impact on daily life in Edina and offer ways to support our natural resources. Read on for some go-to basics about these local charities, and learn what’s on their wish list this season.
TreeHouse Youth
The mission of TreeHouse Youth, founded in 1984 in New Hope by a former teacher, is “to bring hope to hurting youth and families leading to life transformation.” Now based in Edina, and serving over 1,500 teens annually in seven different metro locations, TreeHouse Youth offers a variety of support groups for teens, many of whom are facing challenges such as depression, anger issues, substance abuse and bullying. There are also groups for parents, led by trained volunteers, to help them support and encourage their young people during difficult times.
Each year, the teens are invited to a TreeHouse Christmas party—for many, the only holiday celebrations they will have—and are served a delicious meal, play games and receive goodie bags.
In addition to financial donations to support the Christmas party and other programs of Tree House Youth, volunteers are needed in several areas including group facilitation, donation drive assistance and special events. 952.238.1010; treehouseyouth.org
Outreach Asia
Co-founders Mike and Gina Peck live in Edina with their daughter Sri, who was born in the Philippines, and the family mission is to support the young people of Southeast Asia—specifically Vietnam and the Philippines—through educational sponsorships for children and teens, support for clean and safe drinking water for elementary schools and funding for livelihood projects, specifically for youth and adults suffering from leprosy.
Eight-year old Sri Peck has launched her own special mission to build “Sri’s Playground” for children living in poverty in the Nazareth neighborhood of Cavite, Philippines. So far, over $1,000 has been raised and donations are welcome.
Outreach Asia also offers opportunities to sponsor a child for $180 per year or a college student for $280 per year, which helps cover the cost of educational expenses. A one-time donation of $60 will help a family in the Philippines start a micro-business. Smaller donations for food, housing supplies and other community needs are also welcome. 952.922.8536; outreachasia.org
The Caring Tree
Something as simple as a new backpack filled with school supplies can make a big impact in the lives of K–12 students throughout the metro area whose families cannot afford to purchase these much needed items each year.
The Caring Tree, based in Bloomington, welcomes financial contributions as well as donations of brand new school supplies. A $20 donation will provide a student with a backpack filled with the supplies they need to succeed in school. Groups and organizations are encouraged to hold their own “supply drives” and volunteers are needed to sort and coordinate items throughout the year or help at The Caring Tree fundraising events. 952.888.3490l; caringtree.org
Cornerstone
Serving the communities of Edina, St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Richfield, Cornerstone’s mission is to prevent domestic abuse. The organization provides emergency safe housing, emergency shelters and a 24-hour helpline. They also offer protection for pets, since many domestic abuse victims are afraid to leave a dangerous situation out of fear that the life of their pet is at risk. Support groups for parents and children are also offered through the organization, including the innovative Music Therapy and Counseling Program (MTC) for ages 12–17.
Financial donations are needed and many volunteer opportunities are available including administrative support, shelter advocates, child care help for parents attending support groups, and resume assistance in the Learning Center for women involved with the program who are seeking jobs. 952.884.0376; cornerstonemn.org
Faith’s Lodge
In the northwoods of Wisconsin, there is a secluded space offering respite and healing for parents and families struggling with the serious illness or the death of a child. Headquartered in Edina, Faith’s Lodge was created by Mark and Susan Lacek in memory of their stillborn baby girl Faith. The retreat center now has eight guest suites for families who pay a very minimal fee to stay for one to five nights—the remainder of the cost is covered by donations.
Volunteer opportunities either onsite (maintaining the gardens, preparing meals) or offsite (planning and hosting fundraising events) are available. 612.825.2073; faithslodge.org
Peace House Africa
The goal of Peace House Africa, based in Eden Prairie and Tanzania, is “to create a positive, sustainable future for AIDS orphans and their communities” through educational opportunities. Peace House Secondary School (PHS) is a secondary boarding school that has ranked in the top 20 of nearly 300 schools in their regional exams.
Scholarship and student sponsorship opportunities are available; volunteers can even help onsite at the PHS campus for fewer than 15 days or for longer than two months. Local volunteers are also needed to help with fundraising events in the Twin Cities. 952.465.0050; peacehouseafrica.org
Three Rivers Park District
Greeting visitors, serving as a program interpreter, organizing kids’ games—these are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available throughout the Three Rivers Park District. Enjoy the great outdoors while putting your talents and interests to work. There is a special section of the Three Rivers Park District website devoted to volunteering and offering resource information for current and future volunteers.
Financial donations are also welcome; The Wonder Fund, which provides resources for local school groups and disadvantaged youth to visit the parks in the Three Rivers Park District, is always in need of contributions to maintain this vital program. 763.559.9000; threeriversparks.org
Edina Community Foundation
The Edina Community Foundation supports a myriad of programs that serve children, families and senior citizens in Edina. From Edina Partners for Early Education to the Edina Senior Center and literally everything in between, the four focus areas of the Edina Community Foundation are as follows: Helping our Neighbors, Enhancing Our Safety, Bringing People Together and Beautifying our City.
Donations are welcome to help support many of these activities and volunteers are always needed for events such as the Torchlight Concert and Fourth of July Parade or for programs like Edina Reads and Connecting with Kids. 952.833.9573; edinacommunityfoundation.org
Edina Education Fund
The Edina Education Fund seeks to make the Edina schools the best they can be, and they work to realize this goal by awarding grants throughout the district to teachers and programs. Through Innovation Grants, local teachers have been awarded funds in math, fine arts, technology and other areas. District-wide grants have made possible programs such as Project Lead the Way, the High School Writing Center and have helped to enhance technology in Edina elementary schools.
Donations toward projects or scholarships—consider honoring a favorite Edina teacher or student—are welcome. Volunteer opportunities are also available. 952.848.4222; edinaedfund.com
Edina Public Art
The Edina Public Art Committee is an agency of the Edina Art Center Board charged with the task of supporting public art throughout the city of Edina. One of the committee’s more recent projects was the installation of nine sculptures, rotating yearly, along the Edina Promenade that travels between the Galleria, Centennial Lakes and York Avenue.
Donations toward the creation and installation of artwork are welcome; there is also the option to have regular contributions made via your monthly Edina utility bill. 952.833.9573; edinapublicart.org
