ARRM News and Public Relations

Community enrichment opportunity: Pick up a park in St. Paul this weekend

This weekend is the annual clean up at some Saint Paul Parks. It's a good opportunity for people with disabilities to contribute to their neighborhoods and potentially meet neighbors.

2012 Annual Citywide Cleanup
Number of volunteers needed: 1000+
Saturday, April 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
To register for this event Click Here

Over the past 25 years, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has established a tradition of hosting an annual Spring Parks Cleanup event to collect the trash that has accumulated over the winter. Now, with the help of the Department of Public Works and their Come Clean! initiative, the event has transformed into a citywide effort to clean our parks, neighborhoods, and streets.

Without the help of volunteers, trash accumulates in many areas, polluting lakes, rivers, and detracting from the beauty of our community. This event is a fun and effective way to improve our natural environment while also contributing to the overall beautification of Saint Paul

The 2012 Citywide Spring Cleanup, has been scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

This year, there will be four concurrent kickoff celebrations throughout the City:

Citywide Spring Cleanup Kickoff Sites:

• Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 N Lexington Pkwy)
• Harriet Island Pavilion (200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd)
• Highland Pavilion (1200 Montreal Ave)
• Phalen Pavilion (1600 Phalen Dr)

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Community enrichment is ingrained in MBW's culture

Throughout the year, MBW Company participates in a variety of activities in New Ulm, Minnesota which makes the agency renown for its "good neighbor" ethic. Below are the key activities in which MBW staff and consumers participated during 2011.

Bavarian Blast: Employees and clients initiated a garbage pick-up and recycling project for the Bavarian Blast Parade in July. This activity keeps the community clean while preserving the environment through recycling.

The United Way Day of Caring: Each October, employees and clients volunteer to assist individuals with fall tasks that they are no longer able to do themselves due to age or disability. After visiting one site, an individual MBW supports said, “Thanks for letting me help with this. It really feels good to be able to give back and help someone who needs it.”  

National Night Out (NNO): The National Night Out program in New Ulm was initiated by MBW Company. It has a dual purpose: to promote neighborhood safety and to promote the gift of diversity. Each year, MBW Co. joins with the local police department, fire department and recreational center to sponsor the NNO Community Rally with food, games, music and activities. The agency celebrates safety in the community and promotes neighborhood picnics.

In addition, some of the homes host the National Night Out neighborhood picnic in August. This activity fosters healthy relationships with neighbors and makes the residents of these homes valued members of their communities. Go here to view more photos.

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Community Enrichment Week wrap-up

Once again, ARRM members celebrated Community Enrichment Week in a variety of meaningful and unique ways. Here are just a few examples of how ARRM members enrich their communities -- this week and throughout the entire year:

"We baked chocolate chip and Halloween sugar cookies and delivered them to our neighbors. We also prepared a plate for our volunteer person who helps us with a variety of things that need to be done around the house and yard.

"It was a lot of fun and the individuals had a great time with this activity especially decorating the sugar cookies.

"We made sure some cookies went to an elderly neighbor that is kind enough to let us pick rhubarb from her yard and we make sure to pick some for her too because she is unable to go out and pick it herself.

"Thank you for including us in your Community Enrichment Week."

--Robyn Peltier at Phoenix House, LSS

"We are doing a food drive for the backpack program in Mankato, which puts food in backpacks of kids who are on the food program at their schools so that they have nutritious food for the weekend. Then in May, we are holding a big event at the Country Inn and Suites to celebrate our volunteers. So far 87 clients qualify, and we hope to have 300 people there."

--Carol Lee, Harry Meyering Center

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ART-Abilities kicks off Community Enrichment Week October 23rd

Community Enrichment Week is only a couple of weeks away! To kick off this annual community-building celebration, ARRM has partnered with Homeward Bound, Inc., Star Services, CCP, Harry Meyering Center, Opportunity Partners, Phoenix Alternatives, REM/The Mentor Network and The Friends of the Ridgedale Library to present ART-Abilities: a FREE exhibit that celebrates the talent and creativity of Minnesota artists of all abilities.   

The ART–Abilities gallery opening and reception takes place Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 at the Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka.

•  11 a.m. – noon:  Artist and family reception in the first floor atrium
•  noon – 1 p.m.: Gallery opening on the second floor

Art will be on display at the library from October 23 to November 16. For more information, visit Homeward Bound's website.

Harry Meyering Center's prairie restoration project enriches community

Even though ARRM's Community Enrichment Week begins later this month (October 23-29), the Harry Meyering Center (HMC) has already celebrated its annual community-building activity: a prairie restoration project that took place on Saturday, September 24 at Minneopa State Park in Mankato. Event partners Minneopa State Park and the Department of Natural Resources helped Harry Meyering Center kick off the event with a bring-your-own picnic from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Then, as in previous years, participants spent the afternoon gathering, sorting and scattering the seeds from wild flowers and grasses in hopes of restoring native plants to the area. The day ended with snacks and beverages provided by HMC. 

What are your plans for Community Enrichment Week? Let us know, so we can spread the word about your events and activities.

Harry Meyering plans unique activities for Community Enrichment Week

Harry Meyering Center will be sponsoring its annual Prairie Restoration Project on Saturday, October 2 in conjunction with Minneopa State Park and the Department of Natural Resources. The event kicks off at Minneopa State Park with a bring-your-own picnic from 11:30 -12:30. Participants will then gather, sort and scatter the seeds from wild flowers and grasses in hopes of restoring native plants from 12:30 – 2 p.m. The day will end with snacks and beverages provided by HMC.

Individuals served and staff must sign up by Wednesday, September 15. Make certain to mention the number of vehicle permits that are needed; we need to reserve them in advance! (All other vehicles will be required to purchase day parking stickers.)

Remember to bring gloves, clippers, hats, bug spray, sunscreen, and water! For more information contact Judy A or Katie S. at 507.387.8281.

Donations Make a Difference

Staff and individuals served are asked to make financial or food donations to ECHO Food Shelf. ECHO provides help to people with both short and longer term needs and serves an average of 48 - 58 households per day. Over 3000 households receive assistance every year.

Dance to the Music!

A Thank You Event will be held in recognition of volunteer contributions in the community by individuals served. The event includes a meal, presentation of volunteer recognition certificates, and a DJ.

MBW Company participate in Day of Caring for Community Enrichment Week

Our company will be once again participating in Brown County's Day of Caring. The Day of Caring is a community wide project where teams of volunteers spend a day assisting eldery or disabled community members with home projects or cleaning.

Habilitative Services to host bake sale for women's shelter during Community Enrichment Week

Habilitative Services, Inc. Mankato, Minnesota:  We are hosting our second annual "Buy a Snack, Help Give Back" on Monday, October 5th, a bake sale to raise funds for local community groups.  This year, our sale will be to benefit the CADA shelter of Mankato, an organization which serves to protect victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.  We also donate all leftovers from the sale to CADA in order to brighten the days of the (mostly) women and children who reside in the shelter.

Last year, I had three individuals with disabilities assist me with organizing the sale.  One of them also ran the sale with my supervision, including taking money, making change, etc.  The sale also provides individuals an opportunity to show off their baking skills or practice their kitchen skills, and many area individuals were busy baking items to donate to the sale.  It was a very empowering experience for them and an educational experience for our community members.  We raised more than $400.00 last year for the Red Cross and donated 3 storage tubs of food to CADA.

Community Enrichment Week is October 4-10, 2009

 

October is Disability Awareness Month, and ARRM is celebrating Community Enrichment Week once again this year from October 4th through October 10th. This annual activity has two primary objectives:

1. Showcasing the contributions people with disabilities make to their communities;

2. Encouraging understanding and acceptance of people with all abilities.

Since its inception in 2001, Community Enrichment Week has inspired volunteers from around the state to make contributions to their communities through civic projects, collecting food, raking a neighbor's yard, helping the elderly, or cleaning up local parks. We encourage you to contact your local media or city officials to gain even more recognition for the great work we do in our communities.

Tell us about your CEW event in words and pictures, and we'll add your information to our News Blog. Call ARRM's PR Director, Barb Brynstad, at 651-291-1086, extension 4; or email her at bbrynstad@arrm.org.