HONORING THE PAST, CELEBRATING OUR FUTURE

Feb 23, 2016

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Posted on Feb 23, 2016

 

IT PROMISES TO BE a year of celebration as Rise recognizes its 45th anniversary with several special events and projects scheduled throughout 2016.

We kicked off the year with our 45 Stories for 45 Years series. Almost every week, we will tell you about one of the many great people associated with Rise since its incorporation in 1971.

Story#1 features Chet and Gladys Tollefson whose dreams for their son Loring, born with intellectual disabilities in 1955, fueled their determination to see to it that he and others had the opportunity to live productive lives.

Their hard work and determination, along with that of many Anoka County area “movers and shakers,” got Rise off to a good start. Continued support and collaboration have enabled Rise to expand well beyond people’s initial vision for the agency.

You will find these 45 stories posted throughout the year on our Facebook page (Rise, Incorporated), uploaded to our website, as well as electronic communications.

FESTIVE SPECIAL EVENTS

In addition to our annual Tapping into Possibilities “friend-raising” event and our 5th annual Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala, we are hosting our first-ever talent show open to all team members and people served by Rise. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, May 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fridley School District Auditorium, 6000 West Moore Lake Drive. It should be an really fun and exciting evening.

Rise’s Art Speaks artists will have original work on display during the month of May at the Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Drive. We hope you will attend a special reception for the artists which will be held  Tuesday, May 17, from 4:30-6 p.m.

Summer brings the annual Celebrate Summer picnic which will be held for Rise team members, people we serve, and their families on Sunday, August 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Aquatore Park in Blaine.

We hope you will join us in honoring Rise’s past 45 years and celebrating our promising future.

LOVE FOR SON LIVES ON

Loring enjoyed his work at Rise for many years; he died in 2002. In serving more than 3,000 people each year in employment, housing, and personal growth programs throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota, it is evident how Gladys and Chet’s love for their son lives on today.

“I really never dreamed Rise would take off like it did and become the agency it is today,” said Chet recently. “’My Impossible Dream’ came true in so many ways I couldn’t have ever imagined! Hats off to everyone who has worked so hard over the years.”

This article appears in the March 2016 issue of the Rise Reporter.

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