Ask Jack

Open Arms of Minnesota

  
 

The Walser Foundation is a proud supporter of Open Arms of Minnesota!Their work began in 1986 as a basic response to the AIDS crisis in the Twin Cities community. Since then, they have expanded their mission to serve nutritious meals to those living with other life-threatening illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, breast cancer and ALS.

Their kitchen is the heart of who they are and it operates 7 days a week. A registered dietitian ensures the nutritional value of their menus. Their talented kitchen staff and volunteers prepare and package their culinary creations. Open Arms' clients receive a week's worth of delicious meals delivered directly to their homes by the volunteers. A typical delivery includes both frozen and fresh food items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In 2009, Open Arms prepared and delivered 313,237 meals to the Twin Cities community.

In December of 2009, Open Arms completed an $8.1 million capital campaign to build a new facility in South Minneapolis. With a much larger kitchen, they will be able to double the number of clients with breast cancer that they can serve.

On May 20, 2010 Open Arms holds their signature event, Moveable Feast, a joyful evening dedicated to nourishing body, mind and soul. At that event, a brand new Toyota Prius will be given away courtesy of a generous grant by the Walser Foundation.

To learn more about this great cause, please visit www.openarmsmn.org

St Paul Saints Crispin Iceball Game 2010

We love our partners, the St Paul Saints, because of events like this! Even though it was a balmy 14 degrees, the Second Annual Crispin Ice Ball Adventure Series went on as planned. This unique baseball game played in the cold brings together many different components. First, it's a one-of-a-kind sporting event played on the field of Midway Stadium under the normal rules of baseball. Secondly, it brings a charitable cause to the forefront with the Saints, Crispin Hard Apple Cider, Walser Automotive Group, Cities 97 and Vita.mn partnering to provide food and money for Second Harvest, the Upper Midwest's largest hunger-relief organization. Finally, this event is a part of one of the most famous activities in the Twin Cities area, the Winter Carnival.

Nearly 1500 fans came out to celebrate this unique event as the Spectaculars, a local hip-hop band, got it all started. The Walser RV served as the Official Crispin Warming House and the Walser Grillin Crew kept the masses fed with free hot dogs.

Ski Challenge Kick Off Event

 

Walser Subaru is the Official Vehicle Sponsor of the Ski Challenge. This is an adult ski program that began in 1985 and has grown to nearly 1700 racers today. For the second year in a row, Walser Subaru held a free kick off event for all participants. At this event, the Teton Gravity Research movie Re:Session was shown and Walser Subaru sold limited edition shirts. All proceeds from the shirt sales went directly to the Special Olympics of Minnesota Ski Programs.

 

  

FREE - DNA Life Print Child Safety Event

Child safety is a primary concern for parents. On Saturday, November 7 from 9am-2pm, Walser Chrysler Jeep and Dodge in Hopkins is hosting a FREE DNA LifePrint Child Safety Event. This event will provide information and a biometrics DNA kit that can be submitted to law enforcement in case a child goes missing.

This DNA LifePrint Child Safety event is endorsed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice and John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted.

Biometrics is the newest and most advanced technology available today for obtaining fingerprints. Law enforcement officials know that time is critical in the recovery of a missing child. The Biometric Technology our program brings to parents allows their child's fingerprints to be immediately submitted into the FBI Database as soon as they are reported missing. When the child's fingerprints are entered into the FBI Database, the fingerprints become immediately available to all law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

Parents who attend this FREE event will receive:
- an FBI Certified Biometric 10 Digit Fingerprint Profile
- a high resolution full color Digital Photograph of your child
- a Child Safety Journal which will provide law enforcement officials with all the neccessary vital information about your child and other important facts they will need immediately after a child is reported missing.
- a Home DNA Identification Kit that is easy to use and lasts through generations.

For privacy reasons, children and parents who attend the program will be asked to complete the kit at home rather than when they are handed it in line. Instructions on how to complete the child safety journal and the DNA Kit will be given.

For more information, please contact Andrea at akopfmann@walser.com

2009 Drive for Kids Wrap-Up

The Walser Foundation led the way for this great cause! On Sunday, October 11th, the Walser RV lead a group of classic cars from Mounds Park in St Paul to Red Wing.

This event raised money for Bolder Options which is a Minneapolis-based, one-on-one mentoring program that pairs "at risk" youth ages 10-15 with adult mentors to either bike or run together and work on personal and academic goals in a one year program.

If you'd like to learn more about Bolder Options please visit www.bolderoptions.org

2009 Drive for Kids

The Walser Foundation is preparing for Sunday's Drive for Kids. Join us for this scenic drive from Indian Mounds Park in St Paul to downtown Red Wing.

This is a charity event for all of us who love cars, love driving and love contributing to a great cause! Help us raise money for three worthy causes who provide programs that serve at-risk youth: Bolder Options - a Minneapolis based youth mentoring program; Portage for Youth - an after school/summer program for girls in St Paul; and Youth Outreach Program - prevention, intervention and education for kids in Red Wing.

The timing and the route of the event take advantage of the tremendous interest in the scenic drive around Lake Pepin during the peak fall colors. Drive for Kids is a family event open to everyone although it attracts a significant number of street rods and classic, collectible, foreign and performance cars.

To register for this event or get more information please visit www.driveforkidsmn.com

2010 Honda Insight Giveaway

The Walser Foundation was a proud sponsor of the 2009 Bridging Inc. "Basics Matter" Gala. Bridging provides families in transition with free furniture and household goods to turn empty houses into a comfortable places to perform the basic necessities of life, a table to eat at, a bed to sleep on and a dresser to put their clothes in.

The Foundation donated a 2010 Honda Insight LX. This vehicle raise $37,500 for Bridging! The winners were Dennis and Janet Roding of Bloomington, MN.

St Paul Saints Exhibition Game and Walser Tailgating Competition

The St Paul Saints took the field for their first exhibition game and Walser Automotive Group was right behind them! The weather was beautiful which resulted in a huge turn out at Midway Stadium.

Walser started the season out with a bang with the "Still Rockin' Band" and the Walser Grill Crew. Andrew Walser made several guest appearances including Honorary Cow Bell Player and he threw out the 1st (3rd) Pitch for the game.

We asked for a little help from the Saints players for the first Walser Ultimate Tailgating Competition, where the Buick golf cart made its first appearance of the year.

Register at any Walser location for your chance at free tickets for any home game, including the Walser Front Seats. These four, leather car seats are the best seats in the house. They are perched upon the Saints home dugout where you will be sure to catch all the action!

50 Greatest Days of Summer

 

Walser Automotive Group will be sponsoring the 2009 St. Paul Saints season for the 2nd year in a row. Stop by any of the 9 Walser locations and register to win the best seats in the house, the Walser Front Seats. These four leather, car seats are perched upon the Saints home dugout and provide you with ultimate front seat experience!

Every Wednesday is Walser Wednesday at Midway Stadium! Join the Walser Tailgating Crew as they grill hot dogs for Saints fans, provide live music by their very own "Still Rockin' Band" and hang with the Saints players. During the Wednesday party, you can register to win this Weber Genesis grill provided by Warners' Stellian. http://www.warnersstellian.com/products/9938

These 50 home games at the St. Paul Saints are guaranteed to be the Greatest Days of Summer!

Walser Subaru Grand Opening Wrap Up

 

Walser Subaru in Burnsville celebrated their Grand Opening and Earth Week last week. The week was kicked off with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday with the City of Burnsville and Subaru Executives. Throughout the week, Subaru collected gently used furniture for Bridging, Inc and used motor oil, batteries and anti-freeze. Walser Subaru collected a semi-load full of furniture to be donated to Bridging.

The Public Celebration Day was held on Saturday, April 25. This day included a celebrity dog was with all the proceeds benefiting RAGOM. Local celebrities and RAGOM volunteers wash 67 dogs and raised almost $1000 for RAGOM. Saturday also included kids gardening, free healthy food sampling and chair massages.