In October’s article we shared a story about “A Safe Golfing Journey” which detailed Midwest Staffing’s Second Annual Golf Classic, which was hosted along with Firstat to enhance fundraising efforts for SafeJourney. At the Second Annual Golf Classic Midwest Staffing and Firstat were able to raise $1170 for SafeJourney which earned the companies a sponsorship table at SafeJourney’s 12th annual Celebration of Courage Event held on November 17th, 2011 at The Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.
Attendees from Firstat were Zach Knox and Christine Maxwell and Midwest Staffing was represented by myself, Michael Thoemke, Kelly Weedman and Josie Schwake. Besides being the Director of Sales at Midwest Staffing, I am a volunteer advocate for SafeJourney where I am a benefit board member and on call two shifts each month to support victims of domestic violence. With the support of the Midwest Staffing and Firstat Nursing team, along with many others in the community, this was the largest and most successful year in SafeJourney’s twelve year history of hosting this event.
Highlights of the evening included a social hour and silent auction that included a large list of items ranging from a handmade quilt, tickets to sporting events, various art works and electronics. Followed by an elegant dinner and a Live auction which also included 10 great items, such as an IPad2, a private helicopter ride, and 75,000 sky miles with a camera and $200 VISA for spending money to name a few.
If you would like to learn more about SafeJourney or become a volunteer you may call 763-520-4151 or email safejourney@northmemorial.com.
Photographs were provided by Melissa Rosky photography/Facebook. Click here to visit her facebook page.
Midwest Staffing Group and Firstat Nursing continue their commitment to giving back to the communities in which we work.
On Monday, November 1 from 10:30AM to 1PM Midwest Staffing team members, Chris Kratochvil, Justin Smith, Dan Webinger and Mary Verdeja along with Firstat's Brian Thoemke, attended “Celebrate Opportunity” an Opportunity Partners event. The event was an executive networking and business recognition luncheon to celebrate and learn how people with disabilities enhance our workplace. Midwest Staffing and Firstat donated $1,250 to help people with disabilities add value to the Twin Cities area.
The “Celebrate Opportunity” networking luncheon was hosted by Frank Vascellaro from WCCO-TV with keynote speaker Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Walgreens. Walgreens the largest pharmacy chain in the United States is one of the strongest supporters of Opportunity Partners by integrating people with disabilities into their workforce, marketplace and supplier chain. Randy discussed the success Walgreens has had by integrating Opportunity Partners workers into their distribution channels. They plan to increase the employment percentage of employees with disabilities by 20 percent. This is Walgreens secret to success; with this in mind your business should consider contacting Opportunity Partners.
Other than having the privilege of listening to Guest speaker Randy Lewis, the luncheon also included a speed networking session. Speed networking is similar to speed dating, a timed round robin where professionals meet to exchange contact information and their companies goals and history. Afterwards professionals decide on whom they will connect with or where they can utilize their product or service. A few businesses that Chris Kratochvil of Midwest Staffing connected with were Graybow HD, Minnesota Life College and Anchor Insurance Agency.
Besides a great networking event Midwest Staffing and Firstat fully intend to participate in this event again November 1, 2012. Not only to connect with other business professionals but to support the added value and the impact Opportunity Partners has on our community.
On Thursday September 22, 2011 Midwest Staffing held their Second Annual Golf Classic. This year's Golf Classic was located at the Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale, MN. To enhance our fundraising efforts for SafeJourney this year, Midwest Staffing has partnered with their sister company Firstat Nursing and raised $1170 for this great cause. SafeJourney is a nonprofit organization at North Memorial Medical Center focusing on assisting domestic abuse victims and has helped 1,295 victims in 2010.
Chris Kratochvil, Director of Sales for Midwest Staffing Group, is a volunteer for SafeJourney and a benefit board member for SafeJourney. Chris is on call once per month to assist and support victims of domestic violence. Chris provides guidance and counseling to help the victims, and free their life from violent situations and most importantly he listens to them.
The Golf Classic consisted of teams of 4 at different hole starting with shotgun start simultaneously and was a best ball scramble. The men's team had a course breaking record score of 53 and won the grand prize of 4 lower level tickets to the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Denver Broncos donated by Michael Thoemke and Midwest Staffing. Other prizes were awarded for longest drive by a woman and a man, the longest putt and ball closest to the pin on a drive.
Participating donors:
Minnesota Timberwolves and Jim Buffo - 4 Lower Level Timberwolves tickets and a team signed basketball.
Oak Marsh and Midwest Staffing - 4 gift cards to the Oak Marsh Pro Shop.
Health Partners - Notebooks, toothbrushes, cell phone disinfectant and pens.
If you missed this opportunity to help SafeJourney another opportunity is coming up at their annual fundraiser "A Celebration for Courage". On Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at The Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis the event entails an elegant dinner, social hour, silent and live auction and a SafeJourney presentation. If you would like to attend, donate or contribute to the auction, please contact Jenny Kratochvil at 763-520-4151 or by emailing safejourney@northmemorial.com for more information.
To see photos from the event visit our facebook page. Also if you want to be notified about future events sign up to our monthly newsletter. Finally a special thank you, to all participants, sponsors and Oak Marsh Golf Course that made this event successful.
Midwest Staffing’s team members Chris Krivanek and Sheila Carpenter were behind bars on Thursday July 21. Both were imprisoned at the Saint Paul, MN fire station for being on the list of “MDA’s most wanted jailbirds” or as Sheila said “for having a big heart“. The MDA charity “Lock-Up” raises money for individuals and families living with Muscular Dystrophy this event specifically raised money to send kids to a summer camp.
A colored photo presented to Chris and Sheila for participating in “Locked Up” by an MDA camper.Chris and Sheila’s sentence began at 11AM when their prison transportation a Limousine picked them up at the 0ffice in Saint Paul. Once arriving at the fire department they were greeted with several “Thank You’s” from the children and their families. Now behind bars Sheila and Chris had one hour to call friends, family and business associates to help bail them out. In order to post bail they needed to reach their personal goal. After an hour they posted bail and a MDA camper gave them a beautiful colored pictured.
As a result of Chris and Sheila’s efforts they raised over $800. All the money raised through the event will help send MDA special needs youngster to a summer camp. The camp includes a variety of activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, archery and much more to help build self confidence and relationships.
We have participated in the “MDA Lock-Up” charity for 3 consecutive years and will continue to be an annual tradition. You can still make a donation by contributing to the MDA by following this link to Chris Krivancek MDA donation page until August 22, 2011. If you want to participate in the next event or would like more information, become a facebook fan of “MDA lock up” or follow them on twitter.
Midwest Staffing is proud to join Opportunity Partners’ Business Partner Council. Opportunity Partners is a Twin Cities nonprofit organization providing services to people with disabilities. Its mission includes placing people with disabilities in jobs throughout the Twin Cities, and providing contract business services like packaging and professional cleaning to companies. Opportunity Partners is working hard to prove that everyone, when given the opportunity, adds value to our world.
Not only does Midwest Staffing provide quality temporary labor to help Opportunity Partners meet its mission, but now serves on the organization’s Business Partner Council. This group is charged with spreading the word about Opportunity Partners to other businesses, and ultimately increasing opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. What a great partnership!
To learn more about Opportunity Partners and its Business Partner Council, check out www.OpportunityPartners.org or contact Dan Meyers at 952-930-4242 or dmeyers@opportunities.org