Gracing Stories
Grace Place, Willmar MN
Winter 2015
1st Annual
Shopping With a Purpose
Holiday Fundraiser
& Silent Auction
On, Tuesday, November 18th, Grace Place held it’s first
“Shopping With a Purpose” Event (SWAP), at the Willmar
Conference Center.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 753
Spicer, MN 56288
(320) 979-3553
[email protected]
graceplaceofwillmar.org
Grace Place
Board of Directors
Jane Vikse—President
Lindsay Nelson—Vice President
Sharon Finstrom—Treasurer
Cliff Jerabek
John Patock
SWAP, sponsored by; Anfinson, Thompson & Co., Lakeland Broadcasting and the Willmar Conference Center,
was the hotspot for Christmas shopping. With over 30
Vendors participating, raffle items, and nearly 50 Silent
Auction items to bid on—there was something for everyone on your Christmas List. Music was provided by Jeff
James, and while Grace Place provided appetizers, the
Willmar Conference Center did some
showcasing,
and their
Caramel Apple Bar
sounded like
the crowd
pleaser!
Board Members, John Patock (left) and Lindsay
Nelson, at our Shopping With a Purpose Event
Music by Jeff James, what a fabulous addition to the evening!
Gracing Circles Members
4th Quarter 2014
Legacy Circle - $10,000+
Anonymous
Visionaries Circle - $5,000-$9,999
A Gift at This Level
Would Cover Utilities for a Year!
Leaders Circle - $1,000-$4,999
Jeff & Marianne Allinder
Anonymous
Annette & Marlin Beliveau*
Chris & Lara Duininck*
Walt & Raeanna Gislason
Lynn & Renee Hahn
Patrons Circle - $500-$999
Anonymous
Spicer Sunrise Lions Club
Strehlow Family Fund
Friendship Circle - $250-$499
Su Anderson
The Finden Estate
Mike & Barb Hillenbrand
The Olson Estate
Mark & Danielle Skindelien
Virgil & Beverly Strangeland
West Central Association of Realtors
Harley Wiedeman
Other Places you can find Grace Place online:
Facebook.com/graceplacewillmar
@graceplace56288
Hope Circle - $1-$249
Mike Aaker
ACMC – Business Office
Dennis & Nancy Ammermann
Myron & Carolyn Carlson
John & Conni Chapin
Janet Wagner & Lori Craft
Tim & Ann Doubler
Jamie Duininck & Kristine Fladeboe-Duininck
Eagle Lake Lutheran Quilters
Emden Christian Reformed Church
First Covenant Church—Docus Circle
First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake
Bruce & Maria Hanson
Neil & Linda Hauser
Cliff Jerabek
Dorothy & Gene Johnson
Rodney & Margretta Kray
Vickie Rooda
Candice Smith
Ginger & James Stadther
Whole Life Massage & Wellness
*Multiple Gift Have Moved Donor to This Circle
Additional Supporters
3rd Quarter 2014
Gifts in Kind
Jenny Koch
Val Miller
Dana Weiss
Honorary Gifts
In Memory Of
Vernon & Doryce Anderson
Ways you can support Grace Place….
-Request Staff from Grace Place to come speak at your Church, and hold a special Collection/Offering for
Grace Place.
-If you shop at Teal’s, at any of it’s locations, save your receipts! 1% of most sales will be contributed
back to Grace Place.
-If you are skilled in an area, you can volunteer your services; cosmetologists - hair cuts, personal trainer exercise classes, job coach - skill training. These are just a few of the areas, you could support the women
at Grace Place.
House Update
Updates on past and current residents at Grace
Place (with pseudonyms to protect their privacy).
~Anna, continues to thrive in the Willmar community. She continues to live independently and work
at a local business. Additionally, she is now working part-time at Grace Place; she does some testimonial speaking about her life and time at Grace
Place, and works directly with the clients.
~Candace, recently transitioned out of Grace Place
into another program. She continues to work toward her goals and sober living.
~Esther, has made a great connection with a wonderful mentor, who has made a huge impact on
Esther. She has acquired a part-time job in the
community and has made big steps towards independence; including working on healthy, personal
relationships, coordinating her own transportation
and scheduling personal appointments.
~Francis, has been at Grace Place for just over a
month now. She came with a lot of hurts, but knew
she needed to get back on track in her life. She enSWAP, continued from page 1
As a first-time event, we did not sell tickets. We
feel this allowed us to get connected to many
people who did not, otherwise, know about
Grace Place and the transformations that occur
there. SWAP increased our database by 20% and
resulted in more than $3,700 being raised, that
will go directly to the support of women at
Grace Place. A big “Thank You” to all of you
that supported this event by volunteering, contributing and attending!
joys participating in the many different activities at
Grace Place. She is focusing on strengthening her
spirituality, building her confidence and self-esteem,
learning to be independent and set boundaries, and
managing her emotions. She would love to work
with animals or those in need some day, and she’s
working hard to learn important life skills.
~Geneva, came to Grace Place in the first half of
January, she thinks Grace Place is wonderful, and a
great place to get back on her feet again. She looks
forward to making a fresh start in her life, and is
glad she found a faith-based place to where she can
heal, and strengthen her own spirituality. Geneva is
a creative and artistic person, and enjoys being able
to pursue her talents. She has also just been admitted to college, where she would like to pursue a
career as a Christian counselor, as well as help others with drug and alcohol addictions.
Thank you to all of you, who are directly impacting
and supporting transformations in these ladies lives,
through prayer, mentoring and contributions.
SWAP Guests, checking on Silent Auction
items and Shopping!
Contributors to SWAP
Casey’s General Store
Champagne & Shopping
Country Stop Fudge Factory
Duininck Incorporated
Fischer Laser Eye Center
Green Lake Enterprises
Green Mill—Willmar
Heritage Bank
Sharon Johnson
Annie Larson
Mill Pond Mercantile
Stephanie Miller, Artist
Todd & Diane Paffrath
Ruff’s Wings & Sports Bar
Simply Said Designs
Beach Walk Boutique & Tanning
Unity Stamp
Urban Escape
via Marie Design
Wells Fargo—Willmar
Whippoorwill Photography
Remember to support those that give back
PO Box 753
Spicer, MN 56288
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
TO:
Thank You to following Sponsors
of Shopping With a Purpose!
(Look inside for more information on the Event)
Event Sponsors: