Breakfast for charity
Count your blessings at the annual Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast
Photo courtesy of Second Harvest Heartland
Volunteers are the heart of any not-for-profit. Last year, volunteers from school and church groups, corporations, group homes, civic and youth organizations, and more, provided Second Harvest Heartland with more than 147,000 hours of time.
Leslee Lane Hoyum
Rockford, Minn.
As the holidays approach, there is no better way to begin the season than to bring together the Nordic community to give thanks for its freedom, faith, family, and friends at the Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast. Each year between 800 and 900 people gather for breakfast and to celebrate life. This year it will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the Grand Ballroom of the DoubleTree Hotel, 7800 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington, Minn., with seating beginning at 6:30 a.m.
As always, the program is outstanding. Music will be provided by the Bethel University Choir and Danish-American Soprano Taylor Ann Grand. Speakers include Gina Torry, executive director of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum housed at Augsburg College, Ford Bell, former president and CEO of the American Association of Museums, and the Rev. Mark Hanson, former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The early morning get-together also gives guests an opportunity to give back to the community by supporting two local charities. Last year, donations exceeded more than $15,000. This year’s beneficiaries are Second Harvest Heartland and Minnesota Military Family Foundation.
Second Harvest Heartland strives to end hunger in 59 counties throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin through a network of dedicated partners, volunteers, and donors. The second charity, Minnesota Military Family Foundation, is a not-for-profit, community-supported fund that provides financial grants to military families during times of extraordinary financial hardship.
Tickets are $25 per person or $250 per 10-person reserved table. Students pay $20 per person. Reservations are required and may be made online at www.sonsofnorway.com or by calling (612) 821-4640 no later than Wednesday, Nov. 18.
This article originally appeared in the Oct. 30, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
