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    Community Service

    Seeking volunteers, sharing resources at annual GIVE Gathering

    Juliana AllenBy Updated:5 Mins Read
    PROP Food Shelf was at the GIVE Gathering to talk about the food programs, social services, and other support it offers to Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents. Photo by Juliana Allen

    Visitors to the 2022 GIVE Gathering, held Sept. 29 at Central Middle School (CMS), learned ways to give back to their community, plus how to find support if they need it.

    Organized by the Eden Prairie Schools Community Education (EPCE), Eden Prairie Community Foundation, and the City of Eden Prairie, the annual event was a “one stop shop” where families could learn about volunteer opportunities as well as available resources. Kaleidoscope Teens offered additional planning support.

    “Traditionally, this has been our community’s volunteer fair,” said Molly Patil, EPCE’s director of adult and community engagement programs. With so many partner organizations at the event, she said, “This year, we decided to add a resource component to maximize their engagement.

    “Not only were community members able to learn about ways to give back, but they were also able to learn about all the wonderful programs and services available to those who call Eden Prairie home,” Patil said.

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    Patil said this free public event helps “foster volunteerism in our community and support our local non-profits and social service providers.”

    • Helping Paws assistance dogs met visitors and demonstrated skills, including pulling off gloves, picking up cooking utensils and putting them in the hands of the trainer, and turning on and off a light switch. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • Trained assistance dog Gladys stole the hearts of many visitors as she helped staff the Helping Paws booth. Helping Paws provides service dogs for individuals with disabilities, veterans and first responders with PTSD, and facilities. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • EPHS Talon Robotics builds competitive robots and encourages community involvement in STEM. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • EPLN board director Jeff Strate and board chair Nancy Tyra-Lukens signed up visitors for free newsletter subscriptions and handed out copies of the 2022 Voter Guide. Strate also writes stories for the website. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • EPLN board chair Nancy Tyra-Lukens (left) and EPLN subscriber Beth Beutell at the GIVE Gathering. Photo by Jeff Strate
    • The Let’s Go Fishing — Eden Prairie’s goal is to bring “nature’s healing and well-being to seniors, veterans, youth, and the disabled.” Photo by Molly Patil
    • The League of Women Voters of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie-Hopkins shared information at the fair. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • True Friends aims to provide “life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities.” Photo by Juliana Allen
    • Attendees stopped by booths to chat with organization leaders and gather information. Photo by Molly Patil

    Staff and volunteers from 35 local organizations, including social service providers, civic and service clubs, non-profits, schools and additional programs that enhance the lives of residents, were on hand to greet and chat with the approximately 135 attendees.

    Visitors stopped by information booths, mingled with fellow Eden Prairie-ites, talked with community leaders, and even had the opportunity to meet two fuzzy, friendly, trained assistance dogs from Helping Paws.

    Eden Prairie students were on hand to give tours of the newly renovated CMS facilities, and The PROP Shop collected cold-weather gear for its Winter Coats for Kids Program.
     
    In addition to publicizing opportunities to members of the public, Patil says, “Participating organizations had the opportunity to network and learn about some new ways we can collaborate with each other prior to doors opening to the public.”

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    Patil said she received positive feedback about the event from both attendees and partner organizations hosting information booths. She said, “Those tabling and representing their organizations shared that attendees were very engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and were eager to learn more about the work they do!”

    How can I learn more?

    • (From left) Molly Patil, EPCE’s director of adult and community engagement programs, Greg Leeper, executive director of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, and Lori Brink, recreation services manager for the City of Eden Prairie, greeted visitors to the GIVE Gathering. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • Attendees were able to learn about Eden Prairie Community Education’s family resource programs. Photo by Molly Patil
    • The Redemption Project spoke to visitors about their work to provide inmates with mentoring opportunities while incarcerated and finding meaningful employment upon release. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • Attendees mingled and spoke to organizations such as Bridging, which helps connect people transitioning from homelessness and poverty with donated furniture and household goods, and Eden Prairie Community Band, an all-volunteer band that performs year-round in Eden Prairie and surrounding communities. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • The event was an opportunity for the public to meet and talk with community leaders and partner organizations. Photo by Molly Patil
    • Thirty-five local organizations were represented at the GIVE Gathering. Photo by Juliana Allen
    • The GIVE Gathering. Photo by Molly Patil

    Learn more about volunteer opportunities and available resources in the 2022 GIVE Gathering resource guide, EPCE’s family resource program’s database of local programs and services, or download the EP Help on Hand booklet, a comprehensive guide to programs and services available to those who live, work, or attend school in Eden Prairie.

    You can also check out the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s Resource Hub.

    2022 GIVE Gathering participants included:

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