Alexandra House - News and Events

On Saturday evening, March 8^th, friends and supporters of Alexandra House gathered at the Tournament Players Club in Blaine for an evening of inspiration, celebration, and generosity. Hope Gala co-chair, long time community leader and Metropolitan Council Member, Natalie Steffen, served as the emcee for the event which raised more than $81,000 for Alexandra House.

Vicki Swenson, keynote speaker for the evening, brought a powerful message of hope to the audience of 183. Vicki and her husband Erik adopted her sister Teri Lee’s four children following her tragic domestic violence murder in September of 2006. Out of her family’s tragedy, Vicki has committed herself to working to educate others about the tragic reality of domestic violence and was instrumental in the passage of 2007 legislation mandating photos be attached to no contact orders, when available.

The fifth annual Hope Gala provided an opportunity for Alexandra House to recognize and thank several steadfast supporters, whose hard work and generosity have made this annual event such a success. Those honored included Anoka County Sheriff Bruce Andersohn and wife Wendi, White Bear Lake Police Chief Lynne Tellers Bankes, Jane Daniels, Diana Herbst and her husband, Blaine City Council Member Russ Herbst, Patti and Tom Kurak, Ralph and Eileen McGinley, and Terri and Elwyn Tinklenberg.

Connie Moore, executive director of Alexandra House said, “As a community organization committed to ending domestic violence we are grateful for the wide ranging community support from law enforcement, businesses, elected officials, and concerned individuals. Those who have made the Hope Gala possible over these past five years have added their voices, skills, and resources to this important effort.”

Hope Gala sponsors provided key support for this event, with more than $42,000 received. Diamond level sponsors ($10,000 and up) included Medtronic Foundation and TJB Homes; Platinum level sponsors ($5,000 - $9,999) included Highland Bank, and Patti and Tom Kurak; and, Gold level sponsors ($2,500 - $4,999) included Bromley Printing, Central Sandblasting, and Connexus Energy. There were an additional twenty-two sponsors at the Silver and Bronze levels (see below).

Attendees to the event gave generously through participation in the live and silent auctions and the Fund-A-Need program, a special appeal supporting violence prevention services in the schools—helping to raise over $25,000 to support the services of the Alexandra House.

This year’s Gala featured a new and very popular event, “Sip Champagne and Win a Diamond”. Attendees were able to enjoy a glass of champagne, compliments of Northgate Liquor, in a keepsake champagne flute and try their luck at winning a beautiful, half-carat diamond valued at $2,250 donated by Timothy’s Fine Jewelry in Blaine.

Alexandra House, Inc, the only battered women’s shelter in Anoka County, was founded by community members in 1977 and serves over 2,300 individuals annually.

Barna, Guzy & Steffen
Bromley Printing, Inc.
Central Sandblasting
(Russ & Diana Herbst)

First National Bank of Elk River
Highland Bank
John’s Auto Parts
Tom & Patti Kurak

Rotary Club of Blaine & Ham Lake
Dave & Wendy Sallman
Steinwall, Inc.
The Tinklenberg Group

If you would like more information about the Hope Gala, please contact Margaret Andersen at 763-656-1364 or e-mail mandersen@alexandrahouse.org.

One out of every three women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. Alexandra House invites you to learn more about our work and our mission to end domestic violence. Please join us for a Pathways to Safety presentation on the third Thursday of the month (or as otherwise noted) from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Also offered other times by arrangement.

For more information, or to register, please contact Zeb Henderson Shreve at (763) 780-2332 ext. 354 or email her at eshreve@alexandrahouse.org.

Alexandra House held its third annual Walk for Hope on October 6, 2007, at Bunker Hills Regional Park. This family-friendly event was a huge success with a record of nearly 400 participants - more than 100 of them children and youth. The walk raised around $13,000, which will finance shelter programs and services in the community.

The event celebrated National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by honoring and remembering those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, those who have survived and those who continue to struggle.

Thank you to all who participated, and please join us next year on October 11, 2008, for another beautiful walk and run.

A record 170 people attended the fourth annual Building the Legacy breakfast on October 24, 2007, at the Roseville Radisson. This fundraising event was an opportunity to share the important work of Alexandra House and to inspire the community to support our mission. We are grateful for the generosity of all who contributed to help us raise $31,000 over the next five years.

If you would like more information about Building the Legacy or how you can be involved in next year's breakfast, please contact Connie Moore at (763) 656-1361 or by email at cmoore@alexandrahouse.org.

Call Alexandra House for Safe and Confidential Services
24 HOUR CRISIS/TTY: 763-780-2330

To be connected to your local shelter, call the Minnesota Domestic Violence Crisis Line at 1-866-223-1111