PERK AT PLAY

15th Annual Fundraiser

© Photo Richard Westley Wong

Dear Friends of DinoMights,

During the last 15 years an unlikely group of urban kids has been saying things that we aren't used to hearing. They have been saying things like,

"Hockey is for Everyone."

"We are graduating from high school!"

"I'll be serving my community this summer."

"The Lord has changed my life."

DinoMights has been making a statement for 15 years. In 1995, John Foley founded DinoMights with just 12 participants. Since that time the group has grown. We expect to serve 325 kids in 2010. The group has traveled the world from Minneapolis to Chicago to Detroit to South Africa! For a decade and a half, long-term relationships between inner-city youth and positive caring adults has resulted in an overall graduation rate 30% higher than the rate for Minneapolis Public Schools. Those same students are serving their communities and involved in their churches. Today all signs point to a bright future carrying on the legacy that began 15 years ago. On the brink of our 15th Anniversary DinoMights Makes a Statement!

DinoMights circa 1999

DinoMights is a youth development organization in Minneapolis, MN that serves children from early childhood to high school graduation with the mission, “to equip our urban youth to develop Physical, Academic, Social and Spiritual excellence” (P.A.S.S). We use hockey as an incentive to foster whole life development in a diverse group of children residing in the Phillips, Powderhorn, and Central neighborhoods. We provide academic tutoring and enrichment; community service and mentorship; and various faith based activities that help fulfill the mission.

We will be celebrating our Anniversary and Making Statements for our future at The DinoMights' 15th Annual Fundraiser on Monday November 16, 7:00 PM at International Market Square (275 Market Street, Minneapolis, MN). The event will feature a student led program, desserts by D'Amico Catering, a Silent Auction, and a chance to Make your own Statement with your support of DinoMights. Our special guest this year will be The Stanley Cup. Bring your cameras if you want to get a picture with the Cup! The Stanley Cup is the oldest sports trophy in the world. We will learn more about its history and legend from the Cup handlers during our program. The Silent Auction will feature many of the same items that guests have enjoyed in the past: Sports Memorabilia, Event Tickets (Gopher Hockey, Guthrie Theater, Children's Theater), and items that make great Christmas gifts. In addition we will have Two Night Stays at both Grand Superior Lodge and Caribou Highlands located on Lake Superior's North Shore!

One of the main reasons that DinoMights has been able to be effective for so long is that generous people such as yourselves have stood behind this unique effort with your financial support. Giving to DinoMights makes a statement that you believe in the good work is being done and that it ought to continue into the future. So we would love it if you could come and support us in 2009. Please RSVP by November 11 if you are planning to attend. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support DinoMights you can give online using the security of PayPal by clicking on the giving widget at right or by visiting http://www.dinomights.com/hot_off_the_ice/newsflash/1 . Our goal is to raise $1000 online before the event. If you are a blogger yourself, you can even post that widget on your own blog to help with our efforts. DinoMights is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and all gifts are tax deductible.

If you want to learn more about the event please visit http://www.dinomights.com/hot_off_the_ice/newsflash/44 . You can also get updates about the event including Silent Auction Featured items right here on our blog. If you are interested in making a major contribution or contributing through your business please take a look at our sponsorship packet at http://dinomights.com/files/sponsorship09.indd.pdf . Finally, please feel free to pass this message on to anyone you know that may be interested in attending the DinoMights Fundraiser or supporting DinoMights.

With Sincere Thanks,

Scott Harman

Executive Director

Silent Auction Feature: Autographed Items

The DinoMights Silent Auction traditionally features autographed sports memorabilia. We have had some very fun items in the past. Especially if you are a Minnesota Sports fan. Here are a few things you can expect to find in this year's auction:

PHIL HOUSLEY AUTOGRAPHED STICK

Phil Housley is considered one of the best American born Defensemen ever to play in the National Hockey League. He attended South St. Paul High School and then went on to play 21 years in the NHL. At the time of his retirement he was the highest scoring American born player in the history of the league. Today he is a coach at Stillwater High School, and he also is active in the community promoting youth hockey through the Phil Housley Foundation.

ROD CAREW AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL

"Rod Carew lined, chopped and bunted his way to 3,053 career hits. His seven batting titles are surpassed only by Ty Cobb, Tony Gwynn and Honus Wagner, and equaled only by Rogers Hornsby and Stan Musial. He used a variety of relaxed, crouched batting stances to hit over .300 in 15 consecutive seasons with the Twins and Angels, achieving a .328 lifetime average. He was honored as American League Rookie of the Year in 1967, won the league MVP 10 years later and was named to 18 straight All-Star teams. He remains a national hero in Panama." --Baseball Hall of Fame Web site

There will be many more autographs in the auction as well as many more exciting items. Bidders stay tuned for more auction features!

Silent Auction Feature: Grand Superior Lodge

This year's Silent Auction is going to have some incredible items up for bid. The event takes place during DinoMights' 15th Annual Fundraiser at International Market Square, November 16, 2009 7:00 PM. In this post I'd like to tell you about one of the most exciting items of 2009:

TWO NIGHT'S STAY IN A KING JACUZZI SUITE

AT

GRAND SUPERIOR LODGE ON LAKE SUPERIOR

"Let the sound of the waves washing ashore refresh you. Let the sun and moon traversing the lake's horizon relax you. Let the comforts of a fire place and whirlpool tub restore you." --Grand Superior Website

The winner of this auction item will enjoy a relaxing two night stay at a beautiful North Shore resort. Grand Superior Lodge is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior near Two Harbors, MN. The resort is just 2 miles away from Gooseberry Falls State Park and 10 miles from Split Rock Lighthouse. The room features King size bed, whirlpool, and fireplace.

Retail Value: $538

Opening Bid: $250

Big DinoMight Weekend

This weekend was a big weekend for DinoMight participants! On Friday evening the girl's team kicked off their season with a bonfire and fireworks at a former teammate's house. They roasted lots of marshmallows and enjoyed just hanging out with each other!

Saturday was everyone's first hockey practice of the year. It was interesting to see how much the program has grown since I was a player--there were SO many kids! It was especially fun to see all of the new faces and experience all of the excitement with some of the littlest kids. There was a really great turnout of parents as well. We wanted as many parents as possible to come to the first practice in order to register their kids and also to attend an informational meeting about the program. Since many of our kids parents are Spanish speakers, Scott asked me to help translate key points of the meeting. I was super nervous but the parents were very gracious about the fact that I am still learning and were very encouraging :)

It is going to be a GREAT year!!


Keyana (little sister of DinoMight alumni Greg and Ben) sporting a vintage DinoMight sweatshirt at Saturday's practice

Drum Roll Please . . . DinoMights would like to make a very special announcement . . . Our special guest for the 2009 Fundraiser will be . . . The Stanley Cup!

The event is just around the corner. The invites are on their way to the post office. This year's event will make a statement!

Picture in your head the captain of the Stanley Cup Champions lifting the legendary trophy over his head. He pumps the 35 pound prize to signify the completion of his team's accomplishment. All the hard work, all the injuries, all the time . . . All to boisterously make this silent statement by carrying the cup over head.

Maybe one day a DinoMight will grow up to be a pro hockey player and have the experience of that exact moment.

Maybe not.

Probably not.

But we have the same joy at graduation. We have the same joy to see our young people grow up to be adults concerned for their community. We have the same joy to see our young people embrace their faith.

So, yeah, this is a good guest for this year's event. I hope you will help us celebrate!

DinoMights at the Wild Game

Every year the DinoMights get to sell programs at a preseason MN Wild game as a fundraiser. I was in a group with 4th grade girls this year and was very impressed with their sales skills! One little girl came up to me after making a sale and triumphantly announced "I used my puppy eyes!" After working hard for the first half of the game the kids were able to take a seat and watch the rest. Some even got to hang out with the MN Wild mascot, Nordy :)