2014 Holiday Luncheon
Hank Tessier and Mary McNellis with VHACF Board Chair Shelly Hauge
On December 11, 2014, VHACF held a small Holiday Luncheon at North Oaks Golf Club with present board members, several recent grant recipients and local city officials. We honored two past board members for their many years of dedication and service to the Foundation: Hank Tessier and Mary McNellis.
We also had the pleasure of hearing from a few of our recent Grant Recipients. Sara Swoboda was our 2014 Fund For Teachers recipient and told us how her time spent studying Spanish in Argentina enhanced her classroom teaching.
Sara Swoboda, 2014 Fund For Teachers Grant Recipient
Trisha Cummins Kauffman, Executive Director of Solid Ground in White Bear Lake, spoke of the inspiring work this nonprofit is doing and handed out materials showing us the many programs Solid Ground offers in helping local families build strong and stable foundations.
Trisha Cummins Kauffman, Solid Ground Executive Director
We also heard from John Wayne Barker, Executive Director of Merrick, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is empowering adults with disabilities. In addition to their Vadnais Heights facility, Merrick also operates a second program site for Adult Day and Memory Care services in downtown North St. Paul.
John Wayne Barker, Executive Director of Merrick, Inc.
Finishing up the program was Patrice Abbe, Manager of Community Affiliates for Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Patrice explained how VHACF is affiliated with the St. Paul Foundation and Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, and receives ongoing encouragement, training and support from them.
Patrice Abbe, Manager of Community Affiliates, MN Philanthropy Partners
It was an enjoyable time for all!