Avivo Night of Champions raises more than $50,000 to support Avivo’s programs

Avivo Night of Champions raised more than $50,000, thanks to this year’s nearly 200 guests. Funds raised will be used to ensure everyone has the chance to live well and work well.

WCCO-TV’s Reg Chapman emceed this year’s annual celebration and fundraising event, which recognizes community champions making a difference in the lives of the people Avivo serves.

The night included a moving performance by zAmya Theater, who highlighted the need for second chances in the lives of many individuals Avivo serves, and impromptu comments by Sam Strong, Red Lake Nation’s Tribal Secretary. Secretary Strong spoke about the homelessness crisis in the Twin Cities and Minnesota.

“We need to fulfill the need for warm shelter, for security… The fact that you’re here, and you’re willing to invest your own dollars, time, and capital to make this problem better… that’s incredibly beneficial to this initiative,” said Secretary Strong.

“We need to fulfill the need for warm shelter, for security … The fact that you’re here, and you’re willing to invest your own dollars, time, and capital to make this problem better… that’s incredibly beneficial to this initiative,” said Red Lake Nation Tribal Secretary Sam Strong.

Attendees also heard from Glenn, a professional artist and member of Avivo’s ArtWorks program. Glenn shared his story of perseverance through mental illness and addiction.

This year’s four Avivo Champion Award recipients were honored for their significant involvement in Avivo’s programs and services, and the support they give to help individuals and families succeed:

Bremer Bank has been Avivo’s partner in banking for nearly 10 years, and the Otto Bremer Trust has been a philanthropic partner with Avivo for more than 25 years, supporting our programs and services to reduce disparities in our communities.

Normandale Community College’s Service Learning Team has provided volunteers to support our programs for more than eight years. Volunteers shared countless volunteer hours to support mothers and children in our family recovery program.

Marsden is a champion of Avivo’s vision to see communities free of disparities, particularly in the world of work. Marsden employee Chase Foreman has served on Avivo’s Business Partner Council since 2016, and has helped oversee curriculum review and development for Avivo’s Institute of Career & Technical Education. Marsden has also provided funds to Avivo’s Youth Programs, supporting scholarships for career education.

BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation, along with build partners The Kingdom Builders, Crystal Kitchen+Bath, and Soderberg Apartment Specialists, renovated Avivo’s eight-unit family apartment building, which is home to mothers and their children in our recovery programs. The impact of their collective generosity will be felt by generations of families as they work to overcome the effects of addiction.

Avivo Night of Champions wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our event sponsors: Coulee Bank, HealthPartners, and Parsons Electric.

Stay tuned for updates about our next fundraising event, Mission + Mingle, which takes place in Minneapolis’ North Loop on Thursday, May 9.