Helping Services For Youth & Families

Holiday Lights

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Record Year for Holiday Lights

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDeJ-wOb7BM

 

Now that Holiday Lights has wrapped up and all displays have been packed away it is time for some reflection. It has been another record breaking year with record attendance and donations at the door. Here are how the numbers break down:

  • Walk-through Night – 1,508 visitors (2017: 700 visitors)
  • Cars – 4,569 (2017: 4,288)
  • Donations – $35,089 (2017: $34,808)

In 2017 we had record numbers and we were hoping to get close to those numbers this year but to our surprise we broke all records again this year. We want to thank our sponsors, advocates, volunteers, and visitors for your support and help promoting the event! 

For Helping Services this is our single most important fundraiser we hold each year to support our programs across NE Iowa. We are grateful for the support of our Domestic Abuse Advocacy, Family Education & Support, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Youth Mentoring to make NE Iowa a healthier and safer place for all. If you were unable to attend Holiday Lights and would like to support our program you can make a gift online at www.helpingservices.org/donate.

We are already hard at work to make the 2019 Holiday Lights event bigger and better than this last year. If you have any ideas please reach out to us at 563-387-1720 or info@helpingservices.org.

We are grateful for your support!

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Fall Newsletter Highlights

It’s October, which means fall has arrived (with a mix of rain, sun, and snow!) here in northeast Iowa. As the season changes, one thing remains the same: The work our team does at Helping Services for Youth & Families continues to be important, impactful, and life-altering.

You will find the latest edition of our bi-annual Newsletter in your mailbox soon, which I encourage you to read and share with a friend. You can find the digital version by visiting www.helpingservices.org/newsletter. I wanted to take a minute to highlight a few of the articles that fill those pages.  

The cover article speaks to the importance of the Tigerhawk Connections Learning Center, now in year 4 at the West Union Elementary.  We are excited to partner with the North Fayette Valley School District to provide this valuable learning tool for students in K-5 grade. You might know a Callie or Cane (actual names withheld to respect privacy) in your life who could benefit from such a program in your community.

Not only does October mean chilly weather ahead, it also signifies Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One way that you can help domestic violence survivors in your community is to become a volunteer with our Domestic Abuse Resource Center. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Brittany McIntyre, at bmcintyre@helpingservices.org or 563-380-4976.

If there has been a constant over the past 13 years, it’s that Holiday Lights will be shining bright at the Pulpit Rock Campground over the holidays. Helping Services looks forward to hosting the 14th annual edition of Holiday Lights this year. Holiday Lights will open this year on Wednesday, November 21, with the walk-through night from 5:00 to 7:30. Following the walk-through night, the campground will be open every night through Christmas for vehicular traffic from 5:00 to 9:00. Thank you for supporting this important annual fundraising event for Helping Services. Finally, I would highlight some of the Prevention work our team does focused on Tobacco. You will notice a few ways that we work in the community on the back cover of the newsletter. You will probably notice that your favorite park is nicotine free. Learn more about ways we can provide resources for community by contacting info@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720.       

Thank you for spending a few minutes reading through the newsletter this month, and perhaps sharing it with a friend. My continued gratitude for your support and care.

Carson Eggland
Executive Director

 

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Director of Community Engagement Introduction

I am excited to have found Helping Services and our new home in northeast Iowa! When my wife, Christina, made the career move to accept a position at the Winneshiek County Medical Center, I considered myself lucky that I was able to connect with Carson Eggland, Executive Director, about the opportunity at Helping Services.

In June I was excited to start as the Director of Community Engagement in charge of all fundraising and engagement of the community. I have come from a career in fundraising at small liberal arts colleges and most recently at the University of Minnesota Foundation where I managed Diamond Awards, a premiere fundraising event in partnership with the Minnesota Twins. I am excited to grow the positive impact of Helping Services together with you!.

Dennis “Oz” Osmundson did an outstanding job fundraising and growing Holiday Lights Magical Nights to what it is today. I am grateful that Oz has done such an amazing job in showing me the ropes and has set Helping Services up for success for years to come. I am sure I join the rest of you in thanking Oz for his dedication and wish him the best as he transitions into retirement.

In my first two months on the job I have enjoyed getting to know many of the volunteers and supporters of Helping Services who help to advance our programs to serve northeast Iowa. I would love to meet anyone interested to learn about ways to support Helping Services or if you would be willing to share your experiences with Helping Services please contact me at 563-387-1720 or benkg@helpingservices.org.

Thank you,

Ben Krouse-Gagne

P.S. Remember to save November 21st for the Holiday Lights walk through night!

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2015 Holiday Lights Highlights

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, sponsored, and visited the 2015 display. Holiday Lights was enjoyed by both young and old:

One little boy was talking with Santa at the Lights. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, the boy said, “I just told you when I saw you at the store. Don’t you remember?”

Then on another night a volunteer greeting a car was told the gentleman in the back seat was 100 years old, and he has made it a point to come to the Lights the last few years.

These were just two of the passengers in the 3,353 vehicles that drove through and enjoyed the Lights. While this wasn’t a record year for visitors, down 89 cars from last year’s all-time record visits, people were most generous at the gate. They donated over $26,000. These funds along with your sponsorship will help us continue to work with the kids and adults of Northeast Iowa, while cash flow is tight and grant funding is limited.

On behalf of all the young and old, and the staff and clients who your sponsorship has and will serve, thank you.

See you at the 2016 Holiday Lights.

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Take this short survey. You're opinion is needed.

Holiday Lights, Magical Nights 2013, and we need your input. We’re not asking you to become a sponsor or donate, but seek your feedback on the Holiday Lights 5K. Will you take this two-minute survey? Even if you haven’t been part of the 5K, your opinions and expertise will make this event even more enjoyable and effective. Thank you for taking this short survey. I know the Holiday Lights Team appreciates your quick suggestions.   P.S. If you want to be more involved with Holiday Lights, contact Oz.]]>

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See What Holiday Lights Is All About

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Honor Your Loved One In the Tunnel of Lights Memorial

< ![CDATA[For many children and adults like you, Holiday Lights is a family tradition. You come year after year with those you love. As much as you and I would like that tradition to stay the same —everyone warm and cozy, oohing and ahhing at the lights, smiling and together— life doesn't work that way. You may not be able to bring everyone you would like to visit the lights this year. But, you can still celebrate those friends and family members no longer with you. Read More >>