‘TIS THE SEASON! It’s that time of year again when giving, and killin’ it with kindness, is top of mind. While our team likes to keep up on the kindness all year round, there is something about the holiday season that really gets us excited about killin’ it with kindness! We are so thankful for the blessings we have, and this time of year really allows for time to reflect on those who are not as fortunate and need the extra support, no matter how small the gesture. From the Interfaith Outreach Sleep Out Campaign and Ben braving the cold in a make-shift tent to personally raise money for it, Shop With a Purpose in downtown White Bear Lake with Paige and Jen, to our team’s special mission this holiday season to pack care kits for the homeless, we are passionate about participating in a good cause that is bigger than us. Keep reading for all our 2021 year-end killin’ it with kindness details!
SLEEP OUT CAMPAIGN
Check out our previous blog post here detailing the Sleep Out Campaign and Ben’s continuous commitment to it. The big night has now gone and past and… HE DID IT! We’d like to give him one more shoutout for being such a dedicated supporter of an amazing cause and to all those who donated on his behalf! He surpassed his goal of raising $10,000K and he successfully made it through the cold night under just a tarp and a few blankets. Thinking about him out there all night in the freezing weather makes you think about all those who must do the same every night and not by choice. It truly makes you count your blessings! Not only did Ben raise $12,120, he also personally donated $10,000 in addition to what he raised. All proceeds went to Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners Sleep Out campaign to further spread awareness and to help provide the support that the homeless so badly need in our local community. Interfaith Outreach’s Sleep Out Campaign is aiming to raise a total of $3million by midnight on December 31st so there is still time to donate if you are interested! You can donate here.
SHOP WITH A PURPOSE
Shopping with a purpose is truly the best kind of shopping there is. Not only do you get to enjoy the fun of shopping, but you also get to be a part of something bigger – your purchasing is going to the business AND to a great cause. This month, members of our team were involved with a couple Shop with A Purpose events. The 2nd Annual White Bear Lake Shop with A Purpose took place on December 9th and was facilitated by our very own East Side dwellers, Jen and Paige. People had the opportunity to enjoy their holiday shopping while making a difference. Generous, local businesses donated a portion of their proceeds to the local White Bear Lake Food Shelf. Additionally, the kiddos were able to see Santa outside SweetLife Lane for a couple of hours while sipping on some hot cocoa kindly donated by The Anchor Coffee Shop. The other Shop With A Purpose took place on December 16th-17th and is put on annually by Interfaith Outreach and which Ben is involved with. This event covers the cities of Hamel, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Wayzata. All participating businesses donated a portion of their proceeds during the 2-day timeframe to the Sleep Out Campaign to help prevent homelessness.
HOMELESS CARE KITS
Continuing the kindness, our girl Jacy came up with the idea, and led our team efforts, to create care kits for the homeless. The Sleep Out Campaign covers the bigger picture of fighting against, and preventing, homelessness while our care kits have a purpose to help support the homeless on a smaller scale but with immediate benefits. Jacy and Gina did some serious shopping with money donated by members of our team based on items that homeless shelters declare to be the most needed items. We then got together and spent time packing the kits in drawstring bags (48 in total) and completed our first round of deliveries this past Monday. The kits include numerous essentials such as hats, mittens, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, hand lotion, tissues, combs, Band-Aids, water, and a snack. We plan to continue the deliveries over the next week and hope to provide at least a little relief to a handful of those in need.
