2021 with Emma Norton
Today is the last day of the year—and what a year it has been! As Emma Norton’s Advancement Team, we wanted to take a moment to thank our community of supporters for your generosity and advocacy throughout this past year, and share some highlights.
In early 2021 we tried out some fun new ways to solicit donations— in January we used the first big meme of the year (remember Senator Bernie Sanders’ mittens?) to request donations of space heaters, and in February we launched our first text-to-give campaign to raise $2,000 for a welcome fund.
In April we hosted our second virtual Opening Doors Gala, and it was another huge success with host Shá Cage, powerful resident testimonials, and fabulous award winners. We surpassed our fundraising goals for the Gala thanks to generous donations in so many ways—over $80,000 total in gifts from event and table sponsors, our go-fund-me, and bids on silent auction items and exciting premier auction items that all go to help support our residents! We had return favorites like dinner at Mark and Martha Lantz’ beautiful private vineyard or a vacation at the Pickerell’s condo in Breckenridge, Colorado. We also had exciting new premier auction experiences that were the start of new partnerships—one with the performance art non-profit Haunted Basement, and one with the renowned Science Museum of Minnesota. To cap off an incredible night, the after show for our Gala was hosted by Lady Midnight, a powerhouse of musical talent and activism.
In early June, after so many weather-related delays, we finally installed the new playground at Emma’s Place, completing our renovation project. Individual volunteers, as well as groups from Hamline Church and Haunted Basement, worked side-by-side in record-breaking heat to assemble the playground and pour the concrete. Within a week the concrete was dry, the mulch was raked in, and the kids were enjoying their new playground!
In August, Hamline Dining Hall had their 124th year at the Minnesota State Fair, and raised awareness and money for Emma Norton Services, even with a reduced menu due to COVID safety. We also had our second major in-person volunteer event of the year with a clean-up day at Emma’s Place, including an ice cream delivery from the Maplewood Police Department!
In late October we gathered donations of pumpkins and carving/decorating kits, and held a pumpkin carving event for the youth at Emma’s Place! The following week we held our annual coat giveaway at Emma Norton Residence, and just in time for the cold weather.
Most of the individual gifts we receive come in every year in November and December, and in 2021 our community really committed to holiday giving. We had our biggest Give to the Max Day ever, more than doubling what we raised last year thanks in large part to a challenge grant by the Schulze Family Foundation. Over the course of November we saw dozens of new and increased donors, and the generous gifts have continued to come throughout this month too—both for Emma Norton and for our new Capital Campaign for our new building Restoring Waters. Thank you all for your warm hearts during these cold months!
This has been a year of unprecedented events for all, but it’s also been a year full of unique gifts and partnerships! We continued our partnerships with United Way and Interfaith Action of St. Paul to get backpacks and school supplies for the kids at Emma’s Place. The moms in our programs received bouquets from Path of Grace UMC on Mother’s Day. A supporter from all the way in Georgia mailed us a box of gorgeous hand-knit hats and scarves for the residents at ENR. Numerous pieces of original art from local makers were sold in the Opening Doors auction. Our UMW regional partners invited us to speak at their fall gatherings and they donated many in-kind supplies and other donations for our residents.
We grew our friendships with local breweries and distilleries, with Tattersall Distilling providing a basket and signature cocktail recipe for the Opening Doors Gala, and Dual Citizen Brewing naming Emma Norton the non-profit partner for December. Eastside Ministries made Thanksgiving for the families in our programs delightful by donating turkeys, sides, and pies. Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors put together 20 beautiful welcome baskets for our residents at Emma Norton Residence. Finally, this month, Eastside Ministries, Lake Phalen Community Church, North St. Paul Target, Path of Grace UMC, Hamline Church, SPAAR, the Minneapolis Elks Lodge, ArcStone, Toys for Tots, the Junior League of St. Paul, and individual donors like you all worked together to put together amazing gifts for every single adult and child in our programs!
When we look back at all the ways people supported Emma Norton in 2021, on an individual basis and in groups, we can’t help but feel incredibly hopeful for what 2022 has in store. Thank you for another inspiring year!
