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Latest Review
Reviewed by: vlk2094
on 06/04/10:
Mission
We believe birthday celebrations instill self-esteem and strengthen family bonds. We empower economically disadvantaged families by offering toy-filled birthday gift bags as a means of celebrating their child’s one special day.
Key Facts
Target demographics:
We serve economically disadvantaged children between the ages of 3-12.
Results to date:
Since we began in 1994, we have provided toy-filled birthday gift bags to more than 340,000 less fortunate children.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 37,351 children received birthday bags in 2009
Indirect beneficiaries per year: 2,988 volunteers donated 6,056 volunteer hours
Obstacles:
Because those we serve are economically disadvantages, we must seek financial support from a wide variety of individuals and organizations. With a difficult economy, our challenge continues to be finding supporters.
With 3 hours a volunteer can:
Purchase a variety of small new toys and gift bags, assemble them into the birthday bags and donate them to a shelter or food shelf in their own community. Then contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org to let us know how many bags were filled and where they were donated.
What your donation will allow us to do:
Builds self-esteem and boosts self-worth of less fortunate children while strengthening family bonds.
Your donation of $10 enables us to:
provide a toy-filled birthday gift bag for one child living in poverty on his/her birthday
Your donation of $50 enables us to:
provide a birthday bag for five less fortunate children
Your donation of $100 enables us to:
provide a birthday bag (and a Happy Birthday) for ten less fortunate children.
Board Members and Affiliation:
Robin Steele—Board Chair & Founder
Robin established Cheerful Givers in 1994, has maintained her involvement in the organization and currently is Board Chair. Robin has a bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Management, masters in Human Development and a doctorate in Human Services, with an emphasis on human and spiritual development. She also volunteers with hospice, where she spends time with patients who are in their final days/hours of life.
Karen Kitchel, President
Board Member since 1996, she is currently the full-time President of Cheerful Givers. Karen has 26 years of management experience at BI, a business improvement company where she held the position of Director of the Travel Management, Communications and Gift Departments. She launched and managed a new corporate university, facilitated leadership training, established a mentoring program and led BI’s community support team. She currently co-leads the Nonprofit Network in Dakota County, is a mentor in the Kids N’ Kinship program, and is a Community Outreach Minister at her local food shelf.
Shannon Pfarr Thompson – Vice Chair
Shannon is the Director of Client Management at Ewald Consulting in St. Paul, an association management company that works with more than thirty nonprofit associations. She holds a B.A.from the University of Notre Dame and has been involved in a variety of volunteer experiences, including serving as a Big Sister, teaching English as a second language and special projects.
Julie Richardson, Treasurer
Julie is a manager with the CPA firm of Cornell, Kahler, Shidell & Mair in Shoreview. She has over 19 years of experience in public accounting and works mainly with small to mid-size organizations, many of which are nonprofit organizations. Her volunteer experience includes church treasurer, school volunteer and past board member of the Ramsey County Library. She holds a bachelor degree in English secondary education and accounting.
Mike Bollinger – Board Member
Mike is CEO and Founder of Livefront, Inc. where he specializes in web design, development and project management. He is also a member of BizLounge Network, a musician for various church groups, and a mentor for the MicroMentor program where he works with traditionally underserved entrepreneurs to help them run their businesses.
Sarah Carlson-Wallrath – Board Member
Sarah is a licensed Attorney in the State of Minnesota and currently works for the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is a Graduate Research Fellow, Woman’s National Democratic Club, has held internships with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the American Heart Association. Sarah is a member of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, Minnesota Women Lawyer’s Association, State of Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations.
Mykl Roventine – Board Member
Mykl is Senior Interactive Designer for Allianz Life in Minneapolis. He’s been designing (both for the web and print) for almost two decades. He also spent several years in nonprofit arts management. Mykl currently hosts and maintains the Cheerful Givers website.
Katy Sen – Board Member
Katy is the Director of Research for the Majority Caucus at the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her volunteer experience includes coaching a running program for pre-teen girls, member of the Steering Committee for the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School in Chicago, and working on political campaigns. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University.
Jodi Trost – Board Member
Jodi is the Director of Development for Face to Face Health & Counseling, Service Inc. She has more than 10 years of non-profit fundraising experience in the areas of education, health care, and human services. Jodi has a B.A. from Hamline University and is a CFRE (certified fundraising executive).
Past and Current Funders:
Bremer Bank
Ecolab Foundation
C.H. Robinson Foundation
Carpenter Foundation
Comcast Foundation
Dakota Electric
Minnesotas Twins
Minnesota Vikings Children’s Fund
Moyer Foundation
Thrivent Finanacial
Key Staff
Karen Kitchel, President
Note: We operate with only one staff and 2,988 volunteers