The Woman's Club has a long and storied history of community impact. In the early 1900's, The Club was responsible for installing plumbing systems in the city's public schools, establishing the City Civic Commission, funding Eloise Butler's Theodore Wirth Gardens until the Minnesota legislature took over, and founding the Minneapolis Society for the Blind, now known as Vision Loss Resources.
Today, our original mission of "educational, civic, and social services, study and friendly association" continues. In addition to our many outreach activities, The Club each year gives scholarship monies and grants that benefit women and children; over the years we have given over five million dollars. In 2015, we gave scholarship monies to the MCTC Foundation -- a 30-plus year tradition -- and gave grants to ten nonprofit organizations.
Education is another of our deep commitments. We continue to operate the historic Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square, which was our bicentennial gift to the city. We have a robust education program, including a circulating library and stimulating talks for our members and guests on a broad variety of topics and issues.
The Woman's Club has a long and storied history of community impact. In the early 1900's, The Club was responsible for installing plumbing systems in the city's public schools, establishing the City Civic Commission, funding Eloise Butler's Theodore Wirth Gardens until the Minnesota legislature took over, and founding the Minneapolis Society for the Blind, now known as Vision Loss Resources.
Today, our original mission of "educational, civic, and social services, study and friendly association" continues. In addition to our many outreach activities, The Club each year gives scholarship monies and grants that benefit women and children; over the years we have given over five million dollars. In 2015, we gave scholarship monies to the MCTC Foundation -- a 30-plus year tradition -- and gave grants to ten nonprofit organizations.
Education is another of our deep commitments. We continue to operate the historic Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square, which was our bicentennial gift to the city. We have a robust education program, including a circulating library and stimulating talks for our members and guests on a broad variety of topics and issues.
Since 1993, One Heartland has been creating life-changing camp experiences for youth facing social isolation, intolerance or serious health challenges. Our camps provide a welcoming, bully-free environment where children, youth and young adults can feel completely accepted for who they are—often for the first time in their lives.
The physical and emotional safety of our campers is our highest priority, so we provide one counselor for every two campers. One Heartland also offers hands-on learning and life-skills training—not in the classroom, but while planting vegetables, performing skits, swimming in the pool, painting murals, exploring the wilderness, writing poetry, dancing up a storm and lying under the star-lit sky.
At One Heartland, young people develop self-acceptance, life-long friendships and the courage to face the world.
David Abele is a graduate of the University of Minnesota who leverages over 25 years of experience in residential real estate as a Minneapolis-based realtor at the ARESI Group. Outside of his work in real estate, David Abele supports a number of local charities and also founded the Birchwood Project. The Birchwood Project combines a year-round boutique resort with the philanthropic goal of providing free summer retreat lodging for children and families facing medical challenges.
The project, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023, is located in the Brainerd Lakes area of Pillager, Minnesota, close to medical institutions in Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Brainerd. The property itself will include a fire pit, picnic tables, sauna, nature hikes, and even a self-guided forest bathing walk, while the resort will feature a complete kitchen in addition to living and sleeping areas that rival luxury hotels. Meanwhile, the 80-acre Pillsbury State Forest sits adjacent to the resort, where guests can enjoy an extensive trail system brimming with native wildlife. Finally, Sylvan Lake provides boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities.
For additional information on the Birchwood Project, visit www.thebirchwoodproject.com.