North Minneapolis Relief Efforts

            "Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations."  ~Faith Baldwin

This quote holds true after the Sunday May 22nd 2011 tornado devastation of North Minneapolis.  Many families are now displaced and are in great need of basic items like food and water.  But another major needs is relief.  Relief in the form of laughter and fun.  Something that is severely lacking for many effected by this disaster.

With winds calmed, the sun shining and reality setting in, parents and children alike are seeking out some relaxation.  Whether it be from a quick basketball game, or simply sitting outside enjoying a barbeque with family and friends, both old and new, or in the form of face paint.  

Only one week after a tornado tore through North Minneapolis, over 3,000 people gathered at Farview Park for a community picnic.   Sherenia Gibbs with Minneapolis Park and Recreation stated, " The whole northside needed relief, and that is why we feel this is important."  How true she was. 

Free Arts Minnesota met with other local nonprofits on May 26th to discuss the needs for the area and how we could help out during the picnic.  It was decided that having some fun art activities for the kids would help them through this trying time.  At Free Arts we know that art can help you heal through whatever trauma you may be going through.  Free Arts was able to put together over 300 art kits to hand out to children at the picnic, with all donated art supplies, bags and snacks from varying wonderful people, including Rob and Donna Bronk who found us via a google search and showed up with pallets of snacks for the kids, stayed and volunteered for most of the day and came again the next day to help serve.  It is truly through the goodness of strangers that we were able to be there on Saturday the 28th.


The day was filled with music, games, laughter and face paint.  Free Arts Minnesota had a great group of volunteers face painting up a storm!!  We had to have painted over 600 faces, hands, arms and even hair!  Along with the face painting and the art kits, we brought out chalk and chalked up the park as well as created a community mural project asking the community, young and old, to share what art is to them in word or in a drawing.  


I know from my own experience that the power of giving is it's own reward and all of us volunteers were greatly rewarded that day with smiles, hugs and stories of strength.  Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who came out and helped brighten the lives of many in need!