Community Thread

Holiday Hope Sponsors needed! This holiday season, you can make a hope-filled difference by sponsoring a family, older adult (age 62+), or adult with a disability through Holiday Hope. Your contribution helps alleviate the financial hardship faced by many in central Washington County during this festive time. As a sponsor, you will provide Walmart gift cards or monetary donations so that our neighbors can experience festive celebrations during the holidays. These gift cards serve as a genuine gift of hope, offering dignity, privacy, and security.

Join us as a sponsor today! For more details, visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: OPEN NOW through November 18 (or until program capacity is reached).

Holiday Hope recipient registration is open now until November 18, or until capacity is reached. Register today!

For more information and the online registration link, visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope Online registration is preferred.

If you require assistance, please call 651-439-7434. Appointments are REQUIRED for in-person registration.

Please note, to be eligible for Holiday Hope, you must meet the following:
- You must be experiencing a financial hardship.
- You must have children ages birth through 12th Grade, OR be an older adult(s) age 62+, OR be an adult(s) with disabilities.
- You must live in communities within central Washington County.
- If registering as a family, qualifying children must be ages birth through grade 12 and living at least 50% of the time with the parent or guardian completing the registration form.

This holiday season, make a meaningful impact by becoming a Holiday Hope SPONSOR. Your support eases the financial hardship that many face in central Washington County during the holiday season.

As a sponsor, you will provide Walmart gift cards (or monetary donations) to a family, older adult (age 62+), or adult with a disability. The gift cards are a true gift of hope for these neighbors, providing dignity, privacy, and security for their festive celebrations.

Become a sponsor today! Visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope for more information.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: Will open on October 21.

Yesterday’s Halloween festivities were a blast! Thanks to all of our members and guests for stopping by to enjoy games, community, and treats.

Halloween Party 2024, hosted by Thrive at Community Thread.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Lend a hand with Holiday Hope to positively impact the lives of neighbors experiencing financial hardship. There are a variety of opportunities and shifts, ensuring there is a way for every volunteer in the valley to contribute. Help Community Thread make the 54th year of Holiday Hope a resounding success. This initiative relies on the dedication and generosity of volunteers and community members like YOU!

Sign up online: CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope

Or head directly to Get Connected: https://www.communitythreadconnect.org/need/?s=1&need_init_id=12213

What a fun morning with our Silvers Sneakers group!

The Halloween fun has begun! Some not all here but always with us in spirit!!! 💛🎃💪🏽
Community Thread (Bayport)

Happening next week! COMMUNITY EVENT: Scam Prevention Seminar

Mark your calendars for this eye-opening scam prevention seminar! You won't just be learning; you'll be hearing case studies that hit home, all happening right here in Bayport! Everyone's invited, so bring your friends and family. Stay informed. Stay safe. Protect your community.

Thursday, November 7 at 6pm
Bayport Public Library

This event is brought to you by the Bayport Police Department, in partnership with First State Bank and Trust. Free refreshments will be provided by First State Bank and Trust.

Key topics include:
-Identifying common scams
-Avoiding identity theft
-How to spot phishing emails
-Protecting your financial information
-What to do if you’ve been scammed

Holiday Hope 2024 is underway! As a donor, sponsor, or recipient, it's important to keep key dates in mind to ensure a smooth and successful experience for everyone involved.

•• SPONSOR SIGN-UPS: NOW - December 1. [All sponsor donations (monetary and Walmart gift cards) are asked to be dropped off on or before December 2.]
•• DONATIONS ACCEPTED: NOW - December 6. [All gift room donations (Wish List items), monetary donations, and gift cards are asked to be dropped off on or before December 6.]
•• RECIPIENT REGISTRATION: NOW - November 18* [*Or until program capacity is reached.]
•• BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: NOW - December 6. [Reach out to Cathleen Hess for more information at [email protected].]

For any questions or further details, you can call 651-439-7434 or visit the Holiday Hope website (CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope). Your participation in this annual initiative helps spread holiday cheer and make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

Community Thread | 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082

YOU'RE INVITED! Halloween Party, Thursday, October 31 at 1pm, Community Thread in Stillwater.

Join friends, neighbors, and fellow Thrive members for a spook-tacular Halloween party filled with fun and creativity! Don’t forget to bring your most creatively painted pumpkin to enter in the Pumpkin Contest, and wear your most innovative costume for the Costume Contest for prizes. Enjoy spooky snacks and the company of fellow community members.

This celebration is a great chance to connect and create lasting memories together!

This party is FREE and OPEN to all! Party begins at 1pm at Community Thread in Stillwater. Doors will NOT open early.

Call 651-439-7434 to RSVP.

It’s hard to believe that Baubles, Bangles, and Bling Boutique was nearly a month ago! Thanks to our generous jewelry donors, the Baubles, Bangles, and Bling Boutique raised over $11,600 for programs to support older adults, adults with disabilities, and Thrive members. This annual event has been a highlight in the St. Croix Valley for two decades now and continues to make a significant impact we extend a big thank you to our wonderful customers and hard-working volunteers for making this year‘s event a great success!

Many thanks to Woodbury Lions Club MN for their support of Holiday Hope! Are you interested in being a Sponsor? Or maybe you're a business owner and would like to be a business sponsor? Learn more on our website: CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope

🎊 Last week was a busy week! We will be donating $1698 to Community Thread for their Holiday Hope campaign. That is about $200 more than last year and includes money raised at Culver's Woodbury early this year!
💥 We were also at the "Welcome to Woodbury" event on Thursday where we we screening kids for our KidSight program.

Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation City of Woodbury, MN - Government Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce District 5M-6 Lions Woodbury Heritage Society Woodbury Community Foundation



Become a member today! Go here: https://woodburylions.org/membership

Rake a Difference is underway!🍁🍂 Thank you so much to Katie Bang and members of the Stillwater Noon Rotary Club for raking a difference this weekend. We are grateful for volunteers like you who support neighbors living independently.

Good luck to all the volunteers next weekend who will also be raking a difference for weekend number two of RADD. Thrive members can truly THRIVE because of your help!

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving is crucial, especially as Holiday Hope celebrates its 54th year of spreading HOPE. This initiative relies on our community's generosity to support those facing financial hardship. Your donations, whether by becoming a Sponsor, making a monetary contribution, or helping stock the Gift Room with Wish List items, embody compassion and kindness. Join us in making this year’s Holiday Hope a beacon of hope for all.

For more information on how to donate, visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.

DONATE. SPONSOR. VOLUNTEER.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: OPEN NOW, closes November 18.

YOU'RE INVITED!
Thrive's 2024 Halloween Party is happening NEXT THURSDAY, October 31 at 1pm.

We will celebrate the spooky season with terrifying treats, creative costumes, and a pumpkin painting contest. Invite friends, neighbors, and family. The more the scarier!

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL!

RSVP by calling 651-439-7434.

Holiday Hope is actively and enthusiastically seeking Sponsors!

What exactly is a Sponsor, you might ask? Sponsors play a critical role in providing essential support to families or individuals facing financial hardship during the holiday season. By becoming a Sponsor, you are providing Walmart gift cards to further support festive gatherings and holiday gifts, bringing hope to our neighbors!

Key Information for 2024 Sponsors: This year, we invite Sponsors to contribute either Walmart gift cards or monetary donations toward purchasing Walmart gift cards. We request that gift cards are made in denominations of $25.

Why Walmart gift cards? Walmart gift cards offer increased reliability, and improve usability for the recipient, helping guarantee that they receive what they’ve requested.

For more information and Sponsor sign up, please visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: OPEN NOW, closes November 18.

Holiday Hope Recipient Registration is now open!

If you are a recipient, please visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope for more information. Online registration is preferred.

If you require assistance, please call 651-439-7434. In-person appointments to register can be made beginning TOMORROW, Tuesday, October 22.

Please note, to be eligible for Holiday Hope, you must meet the following:
- You must be experiencing a financial hardship.
- You must have children ages birth through 12th Grade, OR be an older adult(s) age 62+, OR be an adult(s) with disabilities.
- You must live in communities within central Washington County.
- If registering as a family, qualifying children must be ages birth through grade 12 and living at least 50% of the time with the parent or guardian completing the registration form.

A great community resource offered by FamilyMeans.

Are you a caregiver looking for a support group but not able to make it in person? We have two great options for you here at FamilyMeans! 💚

At support groups, caregivers learn and reinforce good self-care, give and receive encouragement and enjoy support and understanding from others in similar situations. FamilyMeans staff lead each group and provide education and information to meet group members’ needs.

SPONSOR. DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of Community Thread's Holiday Hope program. Last year, nearly 900 households received gift cards, benefiting 3,081 people, including 1,790 children. This year, we anticipate the need to keep pace with 2023, and are seeking community support!

If you are interested in supporting this important cause, please consider being a Sponsor, donating gifts, or filling out a Business Sponsorship form. More information can be found online at CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Gift and Monetary Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: Will open on October 21.

Are you a team or know a group looking to make a difference this holiday season? Holiday Hope needs your help!

How to bring hope to your neighbors this year:

1. Become a Sponsor by visiting CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope. Here you will find more information about sponsoring a family or individual facing financial hardship through the support of gift cards.

2. Donate gifts from the Wish List to help stock the Gift Room. Simply screenshot the Wish List (included on this post), shop for items, and drop off at Community Thread in Stillwater before December 6!

Please visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday-Hope for more information.

Important Holiday Hope Dates:
- Sponsor Registration: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Donations: Accepted NOW through December 6.
- Business Sponsorship Form: OPEN NOW, closes December 1.
- Recipient Registration: Will open on October 21.

Important information!

Have you subscribed to Community Thread's monthly eNews or bi-monthly newsletter? Now's your time! With the end of the year in sight, Thrive memberships renewing, Rake a Difference Day approaching, and Holiday Hope in full swing, you won't want to miss a thing.

Stay connected by subscribing here: CommunityThreadMN.org/Newsletters

The holiday season is a time for giving, and Holiday Hope seeks your generosity to stock the Gift Room. Holiday Hope allows recipients to choose shopping for gifts from the Gift Room, or receiving gift cards to purchase gifts on their own. By providing this choice, Holiday Hope promotes dignity during the holidays.

Gift donations are vital, and a Wish List is provided to ensure a variety of gifts are available for every individual and family member who seeks assistance from Holiday Hope. Join us in spreading holiday cheer, as your kindness can truly bring HOPE to those facing financial hardship this season.

Screenshot this Wish List to reference when you embark on your holiday shopping trip! For more information, visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.

Groceries galore! Stop over to Community Thread from 3:30-5:30pm, this afternoon to stock up on fall staples at Fare For All.

What's available? Fare for All features fresh, seasonal produce and frozen meat at up to 40% off of retail prices. Each month has different and new offerings.

All are welcome. No registration required.

** Fare for All accepts cash, credit, debit, and E B T cards. They do not accept checks. **

Since 1970, Holiday Hope has been a beacon of light during holiday festivities for families and individuals facing financial challenges. Neighbors in communities within central Washington County receive gifts and gift cards, all in the spirit of ensuring everyone experiences holiday cheer.

We invite you to be part of Holiday Hope by donating, sponsoring, or volunteering this year. If you are willing and able, please consider donating Walmart gift cards in $25 increments, sponsoring a family (more information online), or volunteering to provide hands-on assistance to this program (more information coming soon). For other donation requests, please visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope to view the 2024 Wish List.

Donations can be dropped off at Community Thread in Stillwater during business hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.
2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082

For more information on how to donate or sponsor a family, please visit CommunityThreadMN.org/Holiday_Hope.