FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.–Blaze Credit Union donated a total of $70,000 to seven Minnesota non-profits that are doing “innovative work as they further their missions.”
“As we launch the Blaze brand, we are excited to support seven outstanding non-profits who are doing trailblazing work to strengthen communities across Minnesota,” said Blaze CEO Dan Stoltz. “Improving lives is our core purpose, and we look forward to seeing the impact that these programs will have.”
The seven non-profits represent Blaze’s major giving categories (animals, cancer, child wellness, financial wellness, housing insecurity, hunger, and veterans). A donation of $10,000 will be given to each of the following organizations:
- Angel Foundation. Angel Foundation Emergency Financial Assistance Grants provide support to adult cancer patients by relieving some of their immediate financial concerns. Grants help with basic, non-medical bills such as food, gas, rent/mortgage, and utilities, and can help provide comfort and peace of mind during the overwhelming months following a cancer diagnosis.
- BestPrep: BestPrep provides business and financial literacy programs to students in grades 4-12, giving them valuable skills through hands-on experiences to inspire success through school, work, and life.
- The Bond Between. The Bond Between Respite Program provides temporary pet care for families or individuals who are unable to keep their pets in the short term. The Bond Between currently collaborates with Women's Advocates and MAC-V with the aligned goal of keeping people and their pets together, with the belief that pets are family.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland. The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland’s Mental Health Access Program provides club members with access to mental health services in the clubs and helps to ensure that no youth goes without the ability to get the help they need. Through the positive relationships with focused mental health counselors on site and the support of trusted staff, the Clubs have created a safe environment for youth to get help and remove barriers to accessing these much-needed services.
- Minnesota Warriors. The Minnesota Warriors aim to better both physical and mental health as well as foster social connections within our veterans’ community. Through the sport of ice hockey, veterans experience exercise, camaraderie, and competition, improving their overall well-being.
- Small Sums: Small Sums outfits individuals experiencing homelessness with the work gear, tools, training, and transportation they need to start and retain a new job.
- Waseca Food Shelf. Waseca Area Food Shelf’s BackPack program is available to Waseca students K-12 that are identified as food insecure by their school counselors. The Food Shelf purchases affordable, nutritious items to fill just shy of 300 BackPacks each week that are sent home with these students to provide an additional food source over the weekend.