Season’s Greetings, dear Community,

We have almost made it to 2021. What a year this has been! We have been truly tested.

In these last difficult months, I’ve been heartened by incredible expressions of kindness and courage that I have witnessed: from all of the people around the world who stood up in solidarity with racial justice efforts, to neighbors donating essential goods to pop-up distribution centers during the weeks after the uprisings here in the Twin Cities. From children making friendship bracelets to raise money for people who lost their jobs as the economy shut down, to philanthropies ensuring that COVID relief funds were ushered quickly out the door for nonprofits and arts organizations. Drive-by birthday parties where loved ones decorated their cars and honked and waved at the honoree from afar, to daily applause rituals for frontline workers, and people retooling costuming skills to make masks when there was a shortage. In May I witnessed a man take paper towels out of his shopping cart to give to a woman with three little kids in tow. Someone put paper hearts with sweet messages all over my neighborhood.

We have it in us to be creative and do such good.

I hope that as we move into a new and hopefully less distressing year, we continue to uplift one another, to find ways to help people feel less alone. I hope we continue to show courage and determination in the face of injustice—that we keep “getting up to good trouble.” There is more to do.

We have been so grateful at Penumbra for every call, every donation, every good wish that has been sent our way. Even though our doors are closed, people are letting us know that Penumbra is treasured and that we are missed. It means the world.

From all of us to all of you: may your holidays be bright, peaceful, and healthy; and may the coming year realize the profound good will that got us through this very tough year.

With abiding love,

Sarah