Help

Minnesotans are famous for giving back.  Help keep our community a great place to live. Volunteer at the Children’s Hospital, mentor kids through local programs, donate to a deserving local organization, or you name it. Check out some of the stories below for some great ways to pitch in with your time and talents. Get ready to get involved!
The Couple Check-Up  

Can your relationship survive a struggling economy? To answer this very question, Minnesota authors David Olson and Peter Larson surveyed 50,000 couples...and what they learned could keep your relationship on track.  For more information about their new book, The Couple Checkup, click here.

 

 
International Breast Milk Project  
To find out more about the International Breast Milk Project, click here!
One Girl One Ride Returns   Back To Top
For more information about One Girl One Ride, click here!
Turning Your Hobby Into Cash   ...More   Back To Top
Margaret Owen Thorpe stopped by to share her knowledge on turning your Hobby into a successful small business.  Here are three tips that she says is significant for getting your business off the ground.
Operation Backpack Back To Top

Operation Backpack is sponsored by Volunteers of America. You can purchase a new backpack and fill it with school supplies for a deserving student. The event runs through August 25th, and there are many convenient drop-off locations, including Panera Bread restaurants around the area.  For more information about Operation Backpack, click here.
Warrior to Citizen Project   Back To Top
The Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the University of Minnesota is spearheading the Warrior to Citizen Oral History Project, collecting the stories of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  A training session for volunteers to interview veterans will be held on September 11th.  Call (612) 625-0142 or click here for more details.
National Night Out ...More   Back To Top
Many communities gather for National Night Out.
JR's Story   Back To Top

Be sure to watch the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Channel 45, beginning Sunday, August 31st at 8 p.m.  For more information about MDA, click here!
Musicians For Minneapolis Back To Top

The CD features 57 songs from a wide range of artists. All the proceeds are donated to Minnesota Helps: Bridge Disaster Fund. The CD is meant to lend spiritual support to those affected by the disaster to help MInnesota remember, reflect, rebuild, and heal. You can purchase a copy of the CD online, or at one of many retailers.  For more information, click here.
Nafula Foundation Update Back To Top
Katie Nelson, who appeared on the first episode of TWIN CITIES LIVE, is currently in Africa working with a Kenyan village through the Nafula Foundation.  They are currently trying to raise additional funds to help buy a cow for the village.  For more information on how to help the Nafula Foundation, click here.
High School Kids Help the Homeless   Back To Top
Four students from Johnson High School in Saint Paul are spending their summer raising money to donate to Catholic Charities food shelves.  So far this summer they've raised over $18,000 to help the homeless in the metro area.  To donate, call Dan Kennedy at (651) 428-3552.
Fill the Boot   ...More   Back To Top
Patrick Hammer was live at Fire Station Five in Saint Paul for the Fill the Boot event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Don't miss John and Rebekah hosting the MDA Telethon on Labor Day with Rusty Gatenby and Leah McLean.  For a full listing of Saint Paul fire stations, click here.  Donate to Fill the Boot today through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
A new bike for Eddie!   Back To Top
Life-long Lakeville resident, Eddie Wallin, rides around the community on his 3-wheeled bike, picking up cans and trash to help keep the town clean. One night last month, Eddie got his bike stolen. The community came together to help out a friend in need. Eddie got a brand new bike and is back out on the road,doing what he does best.
Twin City Polo Classic   Back To Top

One lucky member of our TWIN CITIES LIVE Email Club won a set of tickets to this year's Twin City Polo Classic.  Congratulations to Beth Ratzlaff of Lakeville!  For more information about the Twin City Polo Classic and the Children's Cancer Research Fund, click here.
Summer of Love winners!!   ...More   Back To Top
 
Giving Garden   Back To Top

Blue Cross Blue Shield employees started a community garden which grows fresh produce for a local shelter.  For more information, click here.
Sexual Violence Center Back To Top

The Sexual Violence Center has two locations. Minneapolis (612) 871-5111 or Chaska (952) 448- 5425.  For more information on the center, click here.
One Heartland   ...More   Back To Top
 
A New Food Shelf On The East Side   ...More   Back To Top
There is a new food shelf looking for a home on the east side of the Twin Cities.  But they want to not only provide food, but help people get back on their feet. For more information or to donate CLICK HERE.
Armed Forces Service Center   Back To Top
The Armed Forces Service Center is located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, providing snacks, rest, and company for traveling soldiers.  For more information, click here.
Lifeworks   Back To Top

Lifeworks is an organization that places disabled people in jobs around the community.  For more information on how you can get involved, call (651) 454-2732 or click here.
Time to Fly: Mariah's Story   Back To Top
To learn more about the Children's Cancer Research Fund, click here!
Project Lifesaver   Back To Top
For more information about Project Lifesaver, or the RT Autism Awareness Foundation, click here!
Mission Meow   Back To Top
For more information about Mission Meow at the Animal Humane Society, click here!
Rod Simons - Golf for the Gift   Back To Top
We checked in with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS sports anchor-reporter Rod Simons at the Golf for the Gift event in Hudson.  Golf for the Gift supports the charity Gift of Adoption, which provides critical financial support to prospective adoptive families during the long and often costly wait for a son or daughter.  For more information, click here.
Jerry Hughes   Back To Top
Jerry Hughes was diagnosed with HIV in 2004.  Instead of taking it as a death sentence, he used it as a call to action to help people living with HIV around the world.  Click here to learn more about Jerry and his charity, The Hughes Foundation.
Starkey Hearing Foundation   Back To Top
Justin Osmond, nephew of Donny and Marie Osmond, shared his inspirational story about growing up with a hearing loss.  Today, Justin is a spokesperson for the Starkey Hearing Foundation.  To find out more about the Starkey Hearing Foundation, click here!
Kids Making Summer Hits   Back To Top
"Urban Ventures" began 15 years ago as community development program, with a focus on kids in the Central/Phillips neighborhoods of Minneapolis.  For more information click here!
Make-A-Wish Makes Dreams Come True   Back To Top
Nine-year-old David McPherson, from St. Michael, fought cancer and won!  Now, Make-A-Wish is helping make David's dream of becoming a shark biologist, come true.  For more information about Make-A-Wish, click here!
Hugo Daycare Welcomes Back 10 Kids   ...More   Back To Top
Today, Hugo Daycare-Mom, Chris Gyrgar, welcomed 10 kids back into her home daycare! 
Madelyn's Story   Back To Top

Madelyn Merkle was only three years old when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in February of 2007.  After surgery and grueling chemotherapy and radiation, she has been in remission since November of 2007.  Support Team Twin Cities Live at the Children's Cancer Research Fund Time to Fly event.  Click here for details.
Major League Bike Ride   Back To Top
Kasey Knutsen is spending his summer biking to all thirty Major League ballparks to raise money for LiftKids, which works to help children in developing countries.  See him at the Twins game Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon.  For more information about Toehold 2008 and LiftKids, click here.
One Girl, One Ride   Back To Top

Twelve-year-old E'leese Madgett Manrique is riding around the state this summer on her horse, Chips and Salsa, to raise money to build a ranch for returning veterans.  Her ride starts this Saturday.  For more information on the ride and to donate, click here.
100 Skydives for Parkinson's Disease   Back To Top
Kevin Burkhart is skydiving 100 times in one day to raise money for Parkinson's Disease. For more information, click here.
A Doctor who's 'Paying it Forward'   Back To Top
One local Doctor is 'paying it forward' by helping a woman in Coon Rapids while she is going through a difficult back injury. If you are interested in helping the Tubman family, please write to Twin Cities Live at twincitieslive@kstp.com.
Local Org. Brings Hope to Families   Back To Top
Perspectives, Inc. is an organization based in St. Louis Park. They are an award winning, multi-program human service agency that provides comprehensive services to hundreds of homeless and disadvantaged families. One woman, Susan Rivers, shared her story of addiction to a hopeful future when she was helped out by 'Perspectives,' and the organization's CEO and President, Jeannie Seeley-Smith also explained how Perspectives constantly strives to bring broken families back together again. For more about Perspectives, Inc. and upcoming events, click here.
The Aftermath in Hugo   Back To Top

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Executive Producer, Steve Johnson came in to share his story and his images of the aftermath in Hugo. Steve's home was right in the path, but he was able to capture amazing footage of the community pulling together after the storm.  You can get involved through donations and volunteering efforts by contacting the American Red Cross by clicking here or Hugo City Hall at (651) 762-6300.
St. Paul Couple Makes Homes More Accessible   Back To Top

Living in a wheelchair is nothing new for Mark Beebe and his girlfriend Billie.  With help from family and friends, the Hastings couple has made alterations to their home, to make it more wheelchair accessible.  However, their kitchen is a much bigger project!  With help from the owners of St. Paul's Accessible Homes, Andrew and Carisa Rasmussen, Mark and Billie should be in their new kitchen in no time.  For more information about Accessible Homes click here.
Memory Bears   Back To Top

Kathy Schlueter, a Sauk Rapids woman, has a passion for preserving the past.  Following the unexpected death of her nephew, Kathy sewed a teddy bear from one of his work shirts and gave it to grieving family members as a gift.  With that, her Memory Bears business was born.  Kathy uses the money she earns from her business to fund Christmas stockings for those in need during the holiday season.  To contact Kathy email her at KackRose@aol.com.

 
Re-entering the workforce?   Back To Top
Ready for success is a local organization that helps women get back into the workforce by equipping them with essential items to put their best foot forward. Jennifer Hanson of Episcopal Community Services was on hand to talk about the interviewing process and timeless ideas for scoring the job! Ready for Success is always looking for volunteers- personal shoppers wanted! For more about Ready for Success, click here.
On the Road with Jason Davis   Back To Top
On the Road with Jason Davis followed Richard Proudfit and his organization, Kids Against Hunger, to Haiti to help distribute food to starving children.  Tune in to On the Road with Jason Davis Sunday, May 11th at 10:35 p.m. for the full story.  To help with Kids Against Hunger, call (763) 257-0202 or click here.
Foster Mom Claire Braun   Back To Top
Claire Braun and her husband Warren have taken in seventy three foster children over the past thirty years, most of them with special needs.  May is National Foster Care Month.  For more information on how you can get involved as a foster parent, click here.
Camping Indoors?   Back To Top

Camp Get-A-Well-A is the first and only in-hospital camp experience of its kind. They bring a five-day camp into hospitals so that kids undergoing a hospital stay can experience camp. Children of all types of illnesses are able to participate, and it's grown from the Twin Cities to all over the country! Executive Director and Co-Founder JoLanne Hanson stopped by to help us understand that kids in the hospital are kids, too, and that there are many ways to help them get the real camp experience. For information about Camp Get-A-Well-A, click here.
A Toy Store That Gives Back Back To Top
Kiddywampus owner Amy Saldanha is committing to donating all of her after-tax profits to charity.  Kiddywampus is located at 4400 Excelsior Blvd. in St. Louis Park.  For more information about the store, click here.
March of Dimes March for Babies   Back To Top

Gavin Schuna is now a healthy, happy two-year-old after being born eleven weeks premature.  He and his parents are the ambassador family for the March of Dimes March for Babies walk.  Formerly Walk-America, the event is this Sunday, April 27th at three locations around the metro.  For more information about the March for Babies and how to sign up, call (952) 835-3033 or click here.
Make Prom Dreams Come True Back To Top
Ever After Gowns is a Minnesota based non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting Twin Cities-area young women by providing them with new and gently used formal gowns to be worn to their high school prom.  Clients receive all the attire and accessories free of charge.  For information on how to donate, click here.
U of M Student Helps Change the World   ...More   Back To Top
University of Minnesota Senior, Katie Nelson, is changing the world by helping orphans in a small African Village.  As the founder of the Nafula Foundation, Katie will be heading back to Africa this summer with a load of books and clothing from TWIN CITIES LIVE...plus donations from our viewers.
 
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