Stoneridge Software Pays It Forward – Q1 2018
Stoneridge Software continues to give back to the community with our Pay-It-Forward charitable program. Based on the passions of our team we've contributed to twenty-two organizations during the first quarter of 2018. This program gives our team members the opportunity to provide a cause, organization, or charity of their choice with a $100 donation. Listed below are additional organizations that were chosen by team members for donations during the fourth quarter.
A full list of Stoneridge Software charitable donations can be found in previous posts.
Q1 2018 Pay-It-Forward Donations
Animal Humane Society
As the leading animal welfare organization in the Upper Midwest, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere. Friendly animal experts at each location offer services and support for every stage of an animal’s life.
Learn more or donate to the Animal Humane Society here.
Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul
Assistance League is a nonprofit organization of volunteers committed to identifying unmet needs and addressing them through programs developed and administered by the members. These programs feed and clothe children, enhance and enrich education and support and serve the community. The money for the programs is generated from the Assistance League Thrift shop and from grants and donations.
Learn more or donate to the Assistance League here.
Barbershop Books
Barbershop Books' mission is to help black boys ages 4-8 to identify as readers by connecting books and reading to a male-centered space and by involving men in boys' early reading experiences. According to the United States Department of Education, more than 85% of America’s black male 4th-grade students are not proficient in reading. Four key factors contribute to low reading proficiency among black boys: (1) limited access to engaging and age-appropriate reading material; (2) lack of black men in black boys’ early reading experiences; (3) few culturally competent educators; and (4) schools that are unresponsive to black boys’ individual learning styles. They leverage the cultural significance of barbershops in black communities to increase boys' access to culturally relevant, age appropriate, and gender responsive children's books and to increase out-of-school time reading among young black boys.
Learn more or donate to Barbershop Books here.
Ben's Helping Hand
Benjamin Earl Stein was an energetic, outgoing young man who drew others with his warm and generous spirit. At the age of 19, Ben was diagnosed with cancer. Ben battled his illness with grace and courage, his determination never wavering. In January 2015, Ben passed away at the age of 22. Ben's Helping Hand currently supports the DMF Lend A Hand grocery gift card program, providing $500 cards to Lend A Hand families dealing with cancer.
Learn more or donate to Ben's Helping Hand here.
Designer Genes
The Bismarck-Mandan “Designer Genes” name and support group was originally created by a group of local families who had young children with Down syndrome, about 20 years ago. Over the years, this network of families has offered support and information to each other in many ways. Designer Genes strives to find earning opportunities for members and the organization through education, employment, independence and support. Designer Genes also believes learning is a powerful tool and works to empower and educate professionals, parents and the community.
Learn more or donate to Designer Genes here.
Emerging Prairie
Emerging Prairie is an organization that believes in and nurtures the potential of our community. They have made it our mission to celebrate the entrepreneurs, artists, and creators, specifically in the high technology space. Recognition of the community’s potential, development of an environment for social connectivity, and the act of highlighting the risk takers and change-makers is vitally important, as these are the key accelerators of growth and development. Their mission is to connect and celebrate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fargo-Moorhead.
Learn more or donate to Emerging Prairie here.
Extra Life
Extra Life is a 24-hour fundraising and gaming marathon to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. 100% of the donations go to a local hospital.
Learn more or donate to Extra Life here.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Founded in 1949 at a Minnesota lakeside farmhouse, Hazelden grew into one of the world's largest and most respected private not-for-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment providers, paving the way for its 2014 merger with the Betty Ford Center. They are a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Learn more or donate to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation here.
Home Free
Home Free opened in 1980 providing battered women with immediate safety and the opportunity to explore alternatives to living with a violent partner. Emergency housing, advocacy and support services are available at the shelter for up to 30 women and their children. Women's and children's advocates provide information and resources, supporting the decisions each woman makes and providing specific programming for children.
Learn more or donate to Home Free here.
Homeward Animal Shelter
Homeward Animal Shelter provides a second chance at happiness to lost, abandoned, and owner-surrendered animals and educates the community in the proper, kind, and loving treatment of animals. Homeward Animal Shelter is committed to preventing animal overpopulation and spays/neuters all animals 6 moths or older before adoption. Its mission is : "Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome."
Learn more or donate to Homeward Animal Shelter here.
Hydrocephalus Association
The Hydrocephalus Association serves as the primary nexus for research on hydrocephalus, a condition defined by an abnormal, excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cavities of the brain. HA gathers together valuable resources and connects individuals to larger communities that can provide support and understanding. By focusing attention and research monies, HA works toward the ultimate end: a final cure to hydrocephalus.
Learn more or donate to Hydrocephalus Association here.
Immigrant Development Center
Their mission is to bring Immigrants together who have a common goal in caring about the well-being of others, and their environmental surroundings. They create strong partnerships throughout the Fargo-Moorhead Communities, while generating Micro-Business Development to benefit both neighborhood and community development.
Learn more or donate to the Immigrant Development Center here.
Jaynie Halvorson Memorial Fund
Jaynie Halvorson passed away unexpectedly on January 9th, leaving behind a husband, a 6 month old baby boy, and a community who loved her. Barnesville has lost an amazing friend, wife, mother, sister, daughter, teacher, coach, mentor, coworker, and teammate. The Barnesville High School Class of 2007 started this fund to honor Jaynie. Her family has requested that funds go to a scholarship fund for baby Hoyt.
Learn more or donate to the Jaynie Halvorson Memorial Fund here.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Since 1865, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has responded to Minnesota's changing needs by being wholly committed to making life better for citizens. Their 2,300 staff serve 1 in 65 people in Minnesota. They serve in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties and in more than 300 communities. With an annual budget of $98 million funded from public, private and charitable sources, LSS is one of the state’s largest, nonprofit social service organizations.
Learn more or donate to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota here.
Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS)
The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) was founded in 1998, with a clear vision: a world where women do not drink alcohol during pregnancy and individuals living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are identified, recognized and valued.
Learn more or donate to Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) here.
Minn-Kota PAAWS
Minn-Kota PAAWS (People Advocating Animal Welfare Services) was created to educate the area population of the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals and to take a proactive approach to the animal population problem. Their mission is to spay and neuter barn, feral, stray and companion animals, thus reducing the number of unwanted litters. They serve Moorhead, Minn., Fargo, N.D., and its surrounding areas.
Learn more or donate to Minn-Kota PAAWS here.
North Country Trail Association - Dakota Prairie Chapter
The Dakota Prairie Chapter (DPC) takes its name from the one of the area’s most significant features – the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This is the formal name given to the combination of the three National Grassland units found in North Dakota – the Little Missouri, Grand River, and Sheyenne. The DPC was chartered in 2013 by NCTA members from southeastern North Dakota, primarily from Cass, Richland, and Ransom counties south and west of Fargo. Starting with 28 miles of existing trail developed by the U.S. Forest Service on the Sheyenne National Grasslands, the DPC has added more than 4 miles of new off-road and urban trail each year since the chapter was chartered.
Learn more or donate to the Dakota Prairie Chapter here.
Pet Haven
Founded in 1952, Pet Haven is proud to be Minnesota’s first foster-based animal rescue organization. They rescue and re-home dogs and cats, spay and neuter to reduce overpopulation, promote companion animal welfare, and advocate on behalf of companion animals. Through in-home fostering, they learn about each animal’s temperament, personality, likes/dislikes, and any medical needs. With this first-hand information, they can then find the right family for each dog and cat.
Learn more or donate to Pet Haven here.
Red River Zoo
he Red River Zoological Society was formed in 1993 with the intent of building a premier zoological facility in Fargo, North Dakota. Through land sold and donated to the Fargo Park District by the Anderson Family, the Red River Zoo was able to obtain a long term lease (99 years) of 34 acres with the intent of building a zoo. Thanks to the progressive vision and thinking of leaders in the Fargo community, the Red River Zoo was constructed and opened to the public in May of 1999. The zoo's mission statement is to connect the community to nature and inspire people to help save species.
Learn more or donate to the Red River Zoo here.
Second Harvest Heartland
There is more than enough food available to feed everyone. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding creative solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors. Hunger continues to be a prevalent and pervasive issue in our area, but we believe no one should go hungry. Our clients come from rural, urban and suburban areas, of every age and background.
Learn more or donate to Second Harvest Heartland here.
St. John's University
Saint John's University designs programs to meet the needs and aspirations of young men, emphasizing leadership and a personal development profile that includes intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical development. Its values-based and value-added residential liberal arts education provides the framework for fulfilling lives of disciplined inquiry and leadership in careers devoted to the professions, public life and service to others.
Learn more or donate to St. John's University here.
TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics
TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics is a Non-Profit Organization established in 2005 working toward understanding, accepting, and helping all children grow stronger with confidence. They BELIEVE that every individual is able to unlock their potential through movement. Their core values correspond with BELIEVE and are as follows: Balance, Educate, Love, Inspire, Equality, Versatile, and Energetic.
Learn more or donate to TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics here.
The Marshmellow Foundation
The Marshmallow Foundation is a non-profit animal shelter located in Detroit Lakes, MN that was created to serve as a public resource for stray, abandoned, and rescued companion animals. One of the main goals of The Marshmallow Foundation is to help educate the public about the benefits of spaying and neutering animals so that we can put an end to the nightmare of unwanted cats and dogs.
Learn more or donate to The Marshmellow Foundation here.
uCodeGirl
uCodeGirl is a non-profit organization designed to inspire, engage and equip young girls in the community with leadership traits, computational thinking skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. uCodeGirl strives to bridge the gender gap in technology so that young girls can confidently pursue opportunities suitable for the 21st century.
Learn more or donate to uCodeGirl here.
Venture #LizzyStrong Campaign
Run #Lizzystrong is a movement of runners that honor the legacy of Liz Shepherd, by logging miles and raising funds to make an impact in the fight against human trafficking. Lizzy was 29 years old, married, and 20 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. In June 2015, the cancer was removed, but returned shortly after and she went to be with Jesus later that fall on October 19, 2015. Lizzy was an incredible role model of what it means to live a full, intentional and inspiring life.
Learn more or donate to Venture #LizzyStrong Campaign here.
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