Our Program on Tuesday, December 6th was Alison Kirscht from Resource West.  Alison started by saying that “since its establishment in 1993, ResourceWest has been serving and supporting individuals and families in the West Metro who need resources and stability.  We serve communities within the Hopkins and Minnetonka School Districts, including parts of the following cities: Hopkins, Minnetonka, Deephaven, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Greenwood, Shorewood, and Woodland.”  Alison noted that Resource West distributed coats, hats and waterproof mittens/glove to over a 1,000 children from 0-18 this winter. To qualify for the program a child must attend school in the Hopkins or Minnetonka School Districts, or live in one of the following cities and live in the cities mentioned above.  Alison went on to say that there is a great need for warm winter ware and thanked our club and the larger community for their generosity.  
 
At this point Alison talked about ResourceWest’s upcoming Toy Chest.  ResourceWest provides new gifts to children (0-18) in the Hopkins and Minnetonka communities, to celebrate respective holidays or to just enjoy a new toy. Each registered child will receive a new toy and registered teens will receive a $25 Target gift card.  “This year,” says Alison “we have 385 qualifying families registered with 1225 children to supply gifts to for Christmas.”  Donations for gifts started on November 26th with distribution that started on December 2nd.                                                                                                                                                                 
 
 “There is also a great need for volunteers at ResourceWest” said Alison.  “From July to December, we need volunteers who can assist in organizing and sorting donations for our Children and Youth Programs. We also need assistance on the distribution days for each program. These opportunities are usually 2-3 hours at a time.”  “We thank you for Volunteering throughout the year!” said Alison.  She concluded her remarks by saying “We would also like to invite you to our new fundraiser “Gathering to Grow” on Tuesday, March 14th at the Hopkins Center for the Arts from 4 to 7pm. There will be food, Artists and entertainment and we would love to see you all there!”                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
 
Following Alison Kirscht’s comments Tiffany Frazier and Linda Gustafson came forward and presented ResourceWest with $1,000 worth of $25 gift cards for 40 teens in the Toy Chest program.