Senior Connection hosts St. Cloud Area Fun Singers
The St. Cloud Area Fun Singers, sponsored by the Senior Connection, will brighten the holiday with both cheerful songs and humorous anecdotes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N. Their outstanding presentation brings both smiles and tears with traditional and familiar holiday songs. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the afternoon fun. Refreshments will be served.
First United Methodist hosts Laura Caviani concert
Celebrate the holidays with a new CD release from Laura Caviani: “Holly, Jolly and Jazzy,” featuring unique arrangements of such classics
as “The Holly and the Ivy,” “Joy to the World,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Silent Night” to name a few. She will appear with her trio at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at her home church First United Methodist church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. A free-will offering will be accepted, and a portion of the the proceeds will go toward upgrading the new church’s music library.
Laura Caviani grew up in St. Cloud, and attended First United Methodist Church there, where her mother was the children’s choir director, and her father sang in the church choir. Her previous releases are described as “piano trio jazz of the highest order,” “stunningly fresh” and “in a word, outstanding.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in theory/composition from Lawrence University and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Joining her will be Gordy Johnson on bass and Dave Schmalenberger on drums. A native Minnesotan, Johnson was born into a musical family. He has toured the world with such luminaries as Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione and Doc Severinsen and others. He is a graduate of Eastman School of Music, where he played both classical flute and bass. His playing can be heard on thousands of jingles, films and CDs. As a leader, he has three CDs. Dave Schmalenberger has performed with such notable artists as the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Cab Calloway, the Fifth Dimension and the Mills Brothers. He has traveled to Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad and Brazil studying the traditional music of Africa. He received his doctorate in percussion performance and world music from West Virginia University, master’s degree in orchestral percussion from the University of Michigan, and bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Capital University.
Call 320-251-0804 for more details.
Monthly workshop helps friends, family create intervention plan
Red Cross launches high school leadership program
High school students across the country can help patients in need by donating blood and platelets, volunteering at blood drives and donation centers, and recruiting new donors with the American Red Cross. In turn, students can earn educational rewards for their community service as they get ready for post-secondary education or other opportunities.
The new High School Leadership Program, together with the existing Young Minds Change Lives Scholarship Program, focuses on educating, recognizing and rewarding youth for their support of the Red Cross and the hospitals and patients it serves. Students have the opportunity to receive a college recommendation letter from a local Red Cross executive, a Red Cross red cord to wear at graduation, the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship, and through the Young Minds Change Lives Scholarship program, earn scholarship money for their high school.
As much as 20 percent of Red Cross blood donations come from students. On average, about 15,000 pints of blood must be collected every day for patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers. Young donors, 16 to 24 years of age, are the fastest-growing donor group within the Red Cross.
Thanks to the dedicated members of the High School Leadership Program, the Red Cross will help ensure supplies of blood products are readily available for patients in need. The pints collected as a result of their efforts can potentially be used to treat cancer patients, trauma victims, organ-transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease sufferers and more.
The Red Cross encourages students, parents and teachers alike to learn more about the High School Leadership Program. Details are available at redcrossblood.org/leader.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Challenging times lay ahead for WreathsForTheFallen.org
With more than 400 additional interments at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in the last year, the challenge for WreathsForTheFallen.org to honor all our country’s fallen veterans is greater than ever. For a number of years WreathsForTheFallen.org has endeavored to honor all our country’s fallen veterans at the cemetery by placing a wreath on each veteran’s grave in December. This year the date for the National Remembrance Ceremony has been scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. It’s suggested everyone arrive before 10 a.m. Plans are to have hot coffee, hot cider and other refreshments for all attending this most honored event. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. sharp. Wreath placement begins at about 11:20 a.m. Everyone is invited to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony.
We are in hopes this year we will again be able to honor all our country’s fallen veterans at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minn. said John Thomas, president of WreathsForTheFallen.org. Now would be an excellent time to send that contribution or sponsorship to honor a veteran, Thomas said.
WreathsForTheFallen.org was able to provide wreaths for every veteran’s grave last Dec. 15. For those that would like to make a general donation to this worthy cause, please feel free to contribute to the wreath general fund for the 2013 event. Information is on the http://www.WreathsForTheFallen.org web site. Everyone is invited to join and assist with this most worthy program.
For a number of years now the annual ceremony has been conducted at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery honoring those veterans that have served honorably for our country. After the ceremony consisting of representatives from each branch of the military, several thousand wreaths will be placed on the many markers of our fallen veterans. Many volunteers from the Minnesota Patriot Guard, Minnesota Civil Air Patrol and hundreds of families coming from a wide area perform the honor of placing the wreaths on the gravesites. Everyone is invited to assist in the wreath distribution.
To have your personal handmade wreath included in this memorable event, send your name, address and phone number and $15 to: 5244 Ashdale Lane, Baxter, Minn. 56425. Also include the full name, date of birth and date of death of the veteran or family member the wreath is for. WreathsForTheFallen.org will confirm the exact location of the gravesite number. Please make your check out to “Wreaths.” All contributions are tax deductible.
For those who would like to make a general donation or sponsor a specific wreath for a loved one, visit www.WreathsForTheFallen.org. For additional information, contact John Thomas at 218-829-6622.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Toys for Tots
Be on the lookout for Toys for Tots drop boxes. Asking your child to pick out a toy for a less-privileged child is a wonderful holiday activity. Toys can be dropped off at 157 Roosevelt Road in St. Cloud from 8 a.m-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday or at numerous drop locations around the area. Help is needed with the distribution of toys. Volunteers must be over age 16. Distribution dates are Dec 12, 17, 19 and 23. Contact Chad, Catholic Charities Emergency Services, at 320-229-4560.
Anna Marie’s Alliance holiday donation needs
Their mission at Anna Marie’s Alliance is to provide a safe place for victims of domestic abuse and to achieve systems change that reduces violence. Anna Marie’s is in special need of the following donations: store certificates; hair products; body wash/lotions; diapers size 3, 4 and 5; towels and washcloths; hats/mittens/gloves for women and children; and women’s socks. Contact Kate, Anna Marie’s Alliance, at 320-253-6900.
Help with snow removal
Volunteers are needed to help with snow shoveling and other outdoor chores to help people remain independent in their homes. Responsibilities include volunteer orientation, snow removal services, be respectful of the care receiver’s home and aware of safety procedures. Volunteers must maintain client confidentiality. Contact Cherise Robb, Great River Area Faith in Action volunteer coordinator, 320-258-8678.
Stearns County Parks seek ski patrols
Stearns County Parks is looking for volunteers for the cross-country ski patrol at Kraemer Lake/Wildwood County Park, Mississippi River County Park, Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, and Warner Lake County Park during this coming winter. Volunteers need to be intermediate-level skiers, willing to provide assistance as they are qualified, and turn in a brief report after they patrol. Volunteers can sign up by going to the Stearns County web site at http://www.co.stearns.mn.us then click RECREATION then SKI PATROL and follow the directions. Volunteers who commit to two patrols of two hours each receive a 12-month Quarry Park and Nature Preserve vehicle sticker. Contact Pete Theismann, Stearns County Parks at 320-654-4726 or email parkinfo@co.stearns.mn.us.
Wrap gifts to benefit animals
The Tri-County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to staff gift wrapping shifts at Crossroads Center (near Target) during mall hours. This is a fundraiser to benefit animals at the Tri-County Humane Society. You need not be a current volunteer to help. Please sign up for Wrapping for a Good Paws on their website or call. Please help spread the word if you know of others who might be interested. Contact Kim, Tri-County Humane Society, at 320-252-0896 or visit www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
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