May 2021
OP Gala - Join Us Virtually!
We're getting ready for you! You can still RSVP for your free Virtual Gala ticket! The big event is Thursday, May 13 at 7 pm. RSVP today to receive the live link to join us that evening, and to view the silent auction which starts Monday, May 10. This is our most important fundraiser of the year. KARE 11's Belinda Jensen will be our co-emcee, along with Stacie (shown here at our recent practice) who is served in our community living program. Every donation made now through May 13 will be matched up to $25,000! Can't make it? You can still give today.
Doug's Place Ready to Open
We held a ribbon-cutting this week to celebrate the newly completed Doug's Place in New Hope, our residence that was destroyed by fire in 2019. Thank you to Denali Custom Homes and dozens of subcontractors who donated significant labor and materials to rebuild the home and to our caring community for their support. Four women served by OP will be moving to the spacious and accessible home soon. In photo above, three of the new residents got to see their new digs! In the photo below, David Bieker of Denali, former OP VP Doug Annett and his son Julian, OP Board Chair Ben Knoll and OP President & CEO Bill Schultz cut the ribbon at the new home. See media story.
Virtual Services Win State Award
We're thrilled that OP's Virtual Services, which began as a way to stay connected with the people we serve when our sites were closed during COVID-19, received a 2021 Life Enrichment Award from the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation & Rehabilitation (MOHR)! The award was presented on April 19. MOHR President Julie Johnson said the pandemic was especially hard on people with disabilities. “Providers like OP were innovative and driven to create opportunities for people, and they developed this great virtual solution,” she said. “The results have been absolutely spectacular.”
Helping You Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Many of us are virus-fatigued and yearning to enjoy The Great Outdoors. OP is working with several companies by packaging their camping and fishing products. For more than 50 years, we've worked with Coghlan's to package popular items like table cloth clamps and compasses. We're also working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to assemble lead-free fishing tackle kits. And, we're collaborating with the Three Rivers Park District to produce and label fire starters for camping! Need help with your packaging project? Contact us at 952-930-4201 or partner@opportunities.org