Large donation surprises Perspectives staff in St. Louis Park
By Seth Rowe - Sun Newspapers
(Created: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:16 PM CST)

http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/sl22perspectives.txt

 

Minnesota Agency is Big Winner in San Diego 5K
Event Sponsor Agel Enterprises “Sets the Course” After Race
Monday, February 12, 2007

(Minneapolis, MN) – Perspectives Family Center, the St. Louis Park nonprofit organization for women in recovery and their at-risk children, announced today the largest surprise donation ever received in the group’s 30-year history.  A cash gift totaling $168,000 was awarded by international marketing company, Agel Enterprises of Provo, UT.  The donation was presented Saturday, February 3, at the A-Team Central's “Go Diamond Weekend”, a national training conference for independent distributors of Agel Enterprises held in San Diego, CA.  Details were withheld pending verification of the gift amount.

“We were told by Agel to expect a contribution of nearly $30,000 from the ‘I Am Agel 5K Run’”, said Jeannie Seeley-Smith, President and CEO of Perspectives, “...but, we were absolutely stunned by what happened after the race!”

Who could have known? It was supposed to be just a nice, little fund-raising event in San Diego: A first-time 5K Fun Run with well over 1,000 participants to benefit Perspectives’ human services programs.  But, on race day there was an abrupt change in course. Instead of simply handing over the proceeds from the race, A-Team wanted to do more. The three highest ranked Agel Diamond Directors, Eric Worre, Randy Gage, and Randy Schroeder approached Perspectives to discuss a plan to contribute even more.

“After meeting the leadership of Perspectives, we felt the Agel team members could do better,” stated A-Team leader, Eric Worre, who is based in Minnesota.  “Randy Schroeder, Randy Gage and I decided to auction our personal time in an effort to support and train our fellow Agel distributors and their organizations. If they want us in Israel, then we’re going to Israel!” 

Rob Horkings, another Diamond Distributor within the Agel organization, deftly managed the frantic bidding among the more than 2000 international attendees.  From the start, the bidding was crazy.  By the end of the thirty minute auction, the coaching services of the three super-trainers had netted $138,000, adding to the $30,000 already raised through the 5K Run.  The tearfully stunned Perspectives Team immediately came on-stage to thank the generous crowd.

“We want to be known as a company that gives back to the community”, emphasized Agel CEO, Glen Jensen.  “The effort shown here, by our distributors and leadership, will be the benchmark of Agel Enterprises for years to come.”

“Unbelievable!” said a noticeably overwhelmed Seeley-Smith.  “Just unbelievable!”

About Perspectives:

Founded in 1976, Perspectives, Inc. is an award-winning human service agency that offers comprehensive programs in “Breaking the cycle for at-risk families and children for total family recovery.”  Perspectives’ services include the largest supportive housing program in Minnesota – home to 52 formerly homeless women and over 120 children; comprehensive family support, including substance abuse intervention, one-to-one case management, employment training and supervised visitation services; Kids Connection, a 12-month academic and social skills programming for homeless, at-risk and special needs children.  All programs at Perspectives are driven by stated and measurable outcomes. 

For more information, please contact Brian Tuttle, Vice President, Community Affairs, Perspectives, Inc., 952-926-2600 at btuttle@perspectives-family.com or at www.perspectives-family.org.

About Agel Enterprises:

Agel is an international company that markets nutritional supplements, called Gelceuticals - vitamins, minerals, herbs, and antioxidants - in convenient single-serving foil packets. Incorporated in February of 2005 by Founder and CEO, Glen Jensen, Agel is currently doing business in the United States, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.  Agel Enterprises recently moved to new offices in Provo, Utah.

Agel Enterprises

5252 North Edgewood Dr.
Suite 300
Provo, Utah 84604

For more information, please contact:

Toby Norton, Vice President of Marketing

Agel Enterprises   

Telephone: 801.563.3366  

Facsimile: 801.802.0653

 

02/07

The Hats & Mittens Foundation has selected Perspectives, Inc. as the organization to receive its support in 2006. Established in 1996 and based in Deephaven, Hats & Mitten’s Board members select one charity each year, focusing on an area organization with effective programs serving children.

 

The organization selected by Hats & Mittens receives the entire net proceeds of an elegant year-end ball, produced by the Hats & Mittens volunteers. Perspectives and its programs will be featured at their 2006 event, scheduled for December 30, 2006 at the Marriott Southwest. Thank you, Hats & Mittens Foundation, for this important selection!

 

In February, 2007, Hats & Mittens presented Perspectives with this check for $20,000 that they raised at their Annual Event in December. Thanks again to everyone who came and gave so generously.

Dave Allen, Rebecca Larson (Hats & Mittens), Brian Tuttle, Jeannie Seeley-Smith, Sue Zelickson, David Distad (Hats & Mittens) pictured left to right

09/06

Perspectives, Inc. received the Ann Bancroft Award at their 10th Annual Ann Bancroft Awards Ceremony on September 26th at Orchestra Hall.

Award is featured right. To see photos of the Ann Bancroft event,
visit our Photo Gallery.

09/06

 

Perspectives, Inc. announced recently that General Mills is the winner of the 2006 Community Partnership Award. General Mills has been the source of key volunteer and financial support to Perspectives for more than 20 years.

General Mills’ employees have generously provided ongoing volunteer assistance to Perspectives programs. From offering nutrition workshops to producing graduation events to hosting book bag drives to scheduling one-on-one tutoring, the company’s employees have truly adopted the families of Perspectives.

This past holiday season, General Mills employees took their support to another level. The employees of the Meals Division reached out to our Supportive Housing and Parenting Time families with a grand 53-tree Christmas tree and decorations delivery in early December. Soon after, they treated our Kids Connection after-school students with the return of the General Mills’ holiday store. These trees and gifts brightened the holidays for the over 160 parents and children who live within our supportive housing apartments and the many families in the Parenting Time program.

General Mills, its Foundation, and its employees have also been substantial financial supporters, as well. Their gifts to Perspectives since 1978 have totaled nearly $250,000.

Now in its third year, Perspectives’ Community Partnership Award is presented annually to an organization that has provided significant contributions for Perspectives to further its mission: To improve the quality of life for homeless and at risk families and children. Previous winners included Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Wells Fargo Bank. The 2006 Award will be officially presented to General Mills at the Perspectives of Hope event at the Metropolitan Ballroom on October 13, 2006.

Read about other Community Partnership Awards

06/06

HUD funds target specific programs for homeless Minnesotans
by Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio
January 10, 2006
 

The staff of Barnes and Noble Ridgedale organized a new book donation effort to benefit the families of Perspectives, Inc. Through the efforts of the store’s Community Relations Manager Sarah Carrol and Store Manager Jennifer Cline, more than 120 books and educational games were donated by Barnes and Noble patrons to Perspectives’ at risk parents and children. It is only through the support of friends like Barnes and Noble that we are able to change the lives of homeless and at risk parents and children in our St. Louis Park family center and apartments.

In the Kids Connection after school program, Mayme Casey and her staff divided the gift books by best uses, keeping books that dealt with feeling and emotions for in class use in the Social/Emotional Unit component of the Kids Connection curriculum. They also retained great ‘read aloud’ books for our own classroom libraries, where they will be used by in classes by our teachers, volunteers and students. Thank you Sarah and Jennifer for selecting Perspectives Family Center. We truly appreciate this fine gesture on the part of Barnes and Noble and its customers!

Governor Pawlenty visits Perspectives Supportive Housing and Family Center.

Governor Promotes Help for Homeless
by John Croman, Kare11 News

Key Notes
A publication addressing long-term homelessness in Minnesota

To see more pictures of Governor Pawlenty's visit, go to our Photo Gallery.

Alison Baden, photographer
4/05 

The Oprah Angel Network funds Perspectives with $100,000 grant.

"If I only had a place to live, my life would be okay." That's what the women say who end up at Perspectives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, right outside of Minneapolis. They help mothers who've lost custody of their children, women and children who've been abused, and families who've lost their homes. Perspectives helps families fight poverty.  [read more]

06/04

We would like to thank Anchor Block Co., Final Grade, MN Outdoor Solutions, and Ed Kraemer and Sons for the very generous donation of putting in a paver sidewalk at our Supportive Housing program. We would also like to congratulate them for receiving the September WCCO "Good Neighbor" award.

See project photos

05/04