Music ‘Match Up’
winner announced
The winners of the family entertainment package from the Newsleaders’ Halloween music ‘match up’ contest were chosen randomly from among all correct entries received before 5 p.m. Nov. 2. The winner from the Sauk Rapids-Rice community is Cathy Sauer; from the Sartell-St. Stephen community is Susan Schlosser; and from the St. Joseph community is Marvin Schmitt. We hope all of you had as much fun playing as we did creating the contest.
Resource Training & Solutions seeks donations for giving tree
During this season of giving, help Resource Training & Solutions give the gift of warmth by donating to its mitten tree. Drop off new mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and earmuffs for children and adults at their office by noon Friday, Dec. 2. Items will be be distributed to a local charity. Thank you for your generosity and enjoy this season of giving.
‘Dinner with Santa’ seeks local volunteers
With the help of many donations from local companies and generous volunteers dressed in holiday costume, Dinner with Santa will be held on Monday, Dec. 19 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel. Tables will be set for approximately 600 residents and helpers from 25 central Minnesota senior community locations. Each resident will be provided a holiday dinner complete with chicken, potatoes, dessert and beverages. Entertainment will include groups of choral singers, hand-bell players and musical accompaniments. A photo with one of the many Santas will be taken and provided for each attendee. Gifts will be wrapped and distributed to each guest, and phone calls to family members will be provided as well.Volunteer Santas-in-costume are still needed. Contact 320-251-1038 if you can help spread the holiday cheer at our event.
MNsure open enrollment now underway
Now is the time to get covered! If you, or someone you know, needs health insurance, now’s the time to sign up. Don’t leave money on the table. The MNsure marketplace can save you money. It’s the only place to qualify for financial help such as tax credits that can help cover the costs of rising premiums. Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31. Sign up by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. Shop, compare and choose health and dental plans at MNsure.org.
Cobblestone Corner looking for friendly volunteers
Country Manor is looking for friendly, personable and courteous volunteers to serve customers. Volunteers will do everything from pre-made salads, sandwiches, coffee and entrees. If you are looking for a fun, sociable and purposeful volunteer experience, contact Country Manor today. Call Caitlin Tierney, Country Manor at 320-253-1920.
Junior Achievement seeks in-class volunteers
Junior Achievement’s mission is to educate and inspire students in order to prepare for the global economy. JA is dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and workforce-readiness skills. As a volunteer you would have the opportunity to go into a classroom five times for 30-45 minutes each session using curriculum provided by Junior Achievement. Curriculum is fun, grade appropriate, easy to use and enjoyed by the students. Make a difference in the lives of children by volunteering for JA. Contact Alli Herold, Junior Achievement district coordinator, at 320-310-2165.
Food-packaging event to be held Nov. 20
Kids Fighting Hunger is excited to announce its fourth annual “We Are Thankful” community-wide food-packaging event on Sunday Nov. 20, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. This event is designed to give 600+ families, adults and children in our community a chance to help provide some much-needed food to families in Central Minnesota and in Sierra Leone. Three of the following shifts are available to volunteers: 9-11 a.m, 11 a.m-1 p.m and 1-3 p.m. Donations are needed to pay for ingredients. Recommended donation is $20/per adult, $15/per student, $10/per child. A business, service, or church can sponsor and bring 10 people to package and be recognized as a $500 sponsor. Make checks payable to: Kids Fighting Hunger, P.O. Box 7550, St. Cloud, Minn. 56302 (Memo: We Are Thankful or Sierra Leone). Visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to register today. Contact Mary Krippner, United Way of Central Minnesota, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
Place of Hope needs donations
Place of Hope is in need of the following items to help families in our community this holiday season: teen gifts, backpacks, $10 gift cards, food donations, diapers, winter coats, hats and mittens. Volunteers can also sponsor a meal or Adopt-a-Family for Hope. Contact Pastor Carol Smith, Place of Hope, at 320-203-7881.
Tri-Cap seeks tax assistance
Tax preparers, return reviewers and tax-site assistants (no tax prep involved with this position) are being sought to help Tri-CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which offers free tax preparation and e-filing services to low- to moderate-income people (individuals < $35,000, Families < $55,000 per year) who need assistance in completing their tax returns. Volunteers receive free IRS Certified training to prepare basic tax returns in our local communities, which is also a great asset on a resume. For CPA’s the volunteer time also provides continuing professional education credits from the IRS. The Tri-CAP VITA sites are located in St. Cloud, Elk River, and Cold Spring. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-257-4510 or tricaptaxes@tricap.org.