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Goodbye, 2020. Hello, 2021!

January 12, 2021 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Angel Fund is excited to announce the addition of 5 new members.

At the end of 2020, we said farewell to Treasurer Robin Cicmil, Secretary Sandy Courneya and At-Large Directors Lindsay Douville and Becky Markovich as their terms came to an end. We also said goodbye to Vice President Brenda Loeb, who resigned.

Remaining members include Nicole Freeman, Kelly Grinsteinner, Katie Gustafson, Meghan Hodge, Kari Kilen, Shannon Petroske and Angela Zavodnik.

Joining us in the new year are Katie Finch, Rossie Senich, Kelsey Unger, Stephanie Villella and Bobbi Jo VonAlman.

The 12-member board will be led by President Kelly Grinsteinner, Vice President Shannon Petroske, Treasurer Nicole Freeman and Secretary Kari Kilen.

This transition also brings 2020 gifting to a close. We received a total of 184 requests, with 171 of them being granted. A total of 138 gifts for to first-time recipients while 33 went to recipients who had made a second request. We also made 13 denials.

All told, Angel Fund gifted $68,400 in 2020. Current gifting parameters are up to $400 per request and up to 2 requests per person.

The cities with the highest number of Angel Fund recipients for the year include (in order): Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, Cook, Eveleth, Bovey and International Falls.

We had a significant drop in the number of requests received and approved in 2020. In 2019 we gifted 203 persons more than $75,000. We attribute this dip in requests to COVID, which caused medical facilities to alter their services and deterred people from seeing their doctors for routine check-ups.

We believe a significant percentage of the population did not get diagnosed in 2020, and therefore are anticipating a boom or onslaught of requests once persons get back into routine doctor visits and check-ups. It is difficult to predict when this will occur, but our goal is to poise the fund for that moment and ensure it is financially healthy enough to sustain current gifting levels and meet the demand.

The updated and expanded website at angelfundrange.org proved effective in 2020. Since launching in mid-July 2020, the site became our most popular and convenient vehicle to apply for assistance and to donate. We are also grateful for the medical staff and providers that reached out to us directly on behalf of their patients.

The first meeting of the new Board of Directors is set for Thursday, Jan. 14, via Zoom.

A Pandemic Pasta Party

November 20, 2020 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Angel Fund conducted its first Rigatoni Fundraiser Feed on Tuesday, Nov. 10 – wrapping up two hours of serving dinners just in time for a big snowfall.

A total of 323 dinners were served. Ticket holders had the option of drive-up or take-out to get their meals, which included Valentini’s rigatoni with sugo, side salad and Italian bread provided by Super One.

Our team of board members and volunteers cooked oodles of noodles and had a great time!

The event raised $2,000, which will go directly to area cancer patients to help with expenses while going through treatment.

We’d like to “thank” the following for donating products:

Hardee’s of Hibbing
Aramark
Hibbing Kiwanis Club

And we’re grateful to the following for helping add to the feed’s success:

Valentini’s Supper Club, Chisholm
Super One Foods
Hibbing Memorial Building
Express One Print
Range Floral
Freebs Fitness

A pat on the back to the Hibbing High School Key Club members and community volunteer Linda Perpich for giving their time and efforts. All cooks, servers and volunteers were masked and gloved to ensure safety.

If you are interested in volunteering for future Angel Fund events, please contact a board member, leave a message at (218) 362-6668 or email info@angelfundrange.org.

Board of Directors conducts annual meeting

November 13, 2020 by Kelly Grinsteinner

The Angel Fund Board of Directors met in person and held their annual meeting in late October.

The board appointed several new members, who will begin their two-year or three-year terms in January. We look forward to welcoming them.

Board officers for 2021 were also selected. Stay tuned for more details.

We are also gearing up to say farewell to 5 of our Angels, including three officers.

In other key business, the Board adopted the proposed 2021 budget and agreed to maintain our current gifting parameters of two gifts of $400 each per person.

A map defining “Northeastern Minnesota” was discussed. Angel Fund will accept applications from following counties: Koochiching, Itasca, a portion of Cass (in line north to south with Koochiching), Crow Wing, Aitkin, a portion of Pine (in line west to east with Aitkin), Carlton, St. Louis, Lake and Cook.

Valentini’s Pink Days event defies expectations

November 12, 2020 by Kelly Grinsteinner

Owners of Valentini’s Supper Club: Jess, Rob & Jake Russo and Paul & Cindy Marturano (with grandson, Kouver) with Angel Fund Directors: Kelly Grinsteinner, president; Kari Kilen, past president; and Brenda Loeb, vice president.

CHISHOLM – Paul Marturano has long said they are two things he will never do.

First thing: wear the color pink.

Second thing: be on Facebook.

But on Oct. 25 – the culmination of Valentini’s Pink Days – “never” was tossed out the window.

In a light pink polo while live on Facebook, Marturano exuberantly announced that Pink Days – an effort by he and his wife, Cindy, and their restaurant partners Rob and Jess Russo – had raised an stunning $22,000 for Angel Fund.

“I have no idea how we’re going to out do this next year,” he added.

During October, Valentini’s and Angel Fund Board members sold raffle tickets for several prizes donated by a long list of generous businesses and people. Around 1,100 tickets were sold – a number which sent the restaurant owners returning to Bark Design for additional printing.

In addition to the raffles, the restaurant held three days of food and drinks specials to spread awareness and raise funds for area cancer patients.

This was Valentini’s 7^th year hosting Pink Day, an event that began as a nod to Carol Marturano when she was battling cancer. It is traditionally a one-day bash in late October at the restaurant.

The couples were considering cancelling this year’s event due to social distancing and non-gathering guidelines because of COVID, but instead they got creative and created Pink Days – a celebration over multiple days and one that reached way beyond the restaurant walls. Social media was highly used, and a great drive behind ticket sales.

A big consideration in moving forward was COVID’s impact on Angel Fund, which was feeling a substantial loss of revenue due to fundraiser cancellations, Marturano told the Mesabi Tribune.

“They felt the pinch also,” he said. “They need funds, this year more.”

He was speaking the truth, confirmed Angel Fund President Kelly Grinsteinner. Two of Angel Fund’s largest fundraisers, Spring Classic and Girls Night Out, were canceled this year.

“Angel Fund is grateful to Valentini’s for its continued support and humbled by the owners’ decision to forge ahead with their annual Pink event during these uncertain times. When businesses are struggling and we’re lacking revenue due to canceled fundraisers, this Pink event is a Godsend,” she said.

While events had been canceled, cancer has not been, Grinsteinner noted.

“Many patients are struggling as much — if not more than — others during this pandemic,” she said. “Imagine dealing with the emotions brought on by the threat of COVID in addition to already waging a war with cancer. Patients need the support and financial assistance provided by Angel Fund now more than ever.”

The $22,000 will impact many lives and would not have been possible without all who participated – from contributors to ticket-seller and Valentini’s staff to dinners. Plus an extra big “thank you” to the Marturanos and Russos who pushed Pink Days through the pandemic.

“Angel Fund is heartened by all who contributed to this great success. We could not do our work without you,” said Grinsteinner. “Valentini’s generosity and efforts reinforce their commitment to our communities. As they said, “we are stronger together!”

Rigatoni feed to be hosted by Angel Fund

October 25, 2020 by Kelly Grinsteinner

HIBBING — Have plans for dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 10?

Well, let us cook for you!

Angel Fund will be holding a rigatoni feed from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Hibbing Memorial Building.

For just $8 per person, one can feast on rigatoni in Valentini’s sugo sauce, salad and bread. Servings will be take-out only. Pre-purchase tickets to take advantage of the drive thru.

Tickets are now available from Angel Fund board members and at the following businesses: Range Floral and Freebs Fitness in Hibbing and Valentini’s Supper Club in Chisholm.

Tickets will also be available for purchase inside the Memorial Building the day of the event. Mask are required upon entry.

Proceeds will go to the fund with the sole purpose of providing financial support for Northeastern Minnesota residents who are battling cancer.

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