Inspired
December 20, 2019
Minneapolis' Edison High School band teacher Lesley Earles is working around the clock to keep music alive in her school where resources are tight and

Edison's 'Mr. Holland' breathes life into dying music program

Over the years, Lesley Earles has worked to pull in community support while tapping into students' interests.
Inspired
December 18, 2019
Salvation Army officials believe there is one person — identity unknown — who has been gathering up $100 bills and putting them in bell

Mysterious 'St. Grand' at it again: now it's $1,500 a pop with each red kettle donation

A mystery donor has upped the ante this year, putting six bundles of $100 bills in Salvation Army kettles since Nov. 29.
Inspired
December 16, 2019
McIntosh resembled a Hallmark Christmas movie set as people celebrated the revival one woman sparked in her adopted town.

Young mother brings a dying Minnesota town back to life

Once struggling, McIntosh, Minn., was revived, seemingly overnight, in a tale of investment and inspiration.
Inspired
December 14, 2019
For many Ugandan girls, these colorful outfits made by University of Minnesota design students are the first new pieces of clothing they’ve owned.

Ugandan orphans treasure clothing made just for them by U design students

Every year since the class began in 2012, they have sent clothes to Blue House Uganda, an orphanage for girls in a small Ugandan village founded by a U alumna.
Inspired
December 13, 2019
1913 University of Minnesota Women's Suffrage Club, 1913 - On March 11 at 1:30 p.m. the Minnesota Historical Society, which operates a historic site p

100th anniversary of women's suffrage reason to celebrate across Minnesota

Minnesota is gearing up to commemorate the centennial with events, exhibits and educational outreach across the state.
Inspired
December 13, 2019
Aletta Brady.

For this award-winning Minnesotan, the climate crisis is personal

Aletta Brady created a web-based platform, called Our Climate Voices, to humanize the climate crisis by gathering and sharing personal stories.
Inspired
December 13, 2019
From left, back, Nikki Rajahn, North Fayette Elementary School Principal Lisa Moore, Madison and Morghan Reckley, Brooklyn and Blake Rajahn show off s

After a year of being bullied, 6-year-old responds with kindness

The boy's story was featured on "Good Morning America" and parenting blogs. Producers at the "Today" show and Ellen DeGeneres' show reached out.
Inspired
December 13, 2019
Teresa Giuliana, an ambassador of hope with Project Home, stands outside of Reading Terminal Market on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. When vendors of the Read

The 'angel' of the food market encourages the homeless to come inside

For Terez Giuliana's "regulars," the market isn't just a food court or a grocery, but a shelter.
Inspired
December 12, 2019
Opposite of trash talk: Stefon Diggs, Darius Slay show respect with compliments

Opposite of trash talk: Stefon Diggs, Darius Slay show respect with compliments

Every NFL game brings countless examples of trash-talking between players, some of which spills over into heated exchanges. But what about moments of genuine admiration and respect?
Inspired
December 6, 2019
Hmong College Prep Academy band director Roy Pienaar played a baritone that had been donated through Caitlin Marlotte's, right, nonprofit Vega (an org

Minnesota nonprofit, technical college make instruments affordable for young musicians

Playing an instrument is an expensive endeavor, but help is on the way for families that have a tough time finding the $20 to $40 a month in their budget for rental fees.
Inspired
December 6, 2019
Telephone

Minnesotans have filled old-fashioned phone line with positive messages for 25 years

With the Ideas for Positive Living line, volunteers transport callers back to a simpler time.
Inspired
December 6, 2019
Turn the 'getting' season into 'gratitude' season with help from Twin Cities nonprofit

Turn the 'getting' season into 'gratitude' season with help from Twin Cities nonprofit

Sarah Aadland has gathered loads of research confirming that altruistic kids are happy kids. And what better time than December to practice?
Inspired
December 2, 2019
Hennepin County social worker helps at-risk parents thrive

Hennepin County social worker helps at-risk parents thrive

Danielle Monsrud has a personal connection to Hennepin County's Parent Support Outreach Program.
Inspired
November 29, 2019
Adam Borgen, chairman of of Serving Those Serving tends bar at Burger Dive in Roseville. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Thursday,

In Twin Cities, a push to get restaurant workers mental health benefits they need

Serving Those Serving connects food service workers with help for addiction, depression and other job-related troubles.
Inspired
November 29, 2019
Rick Brimacomb of St. Louis Park has kept his family’s cherished Christmas cookie fest alive since 2005, with “fierce competition” for the best.

How a St. Louis Park family's holiday cookie tradition got so big it moved to Mel-O-Glaze

A father of four preserves cherished family tradition by skipping right to the fun part.
Inspired
November 29, 2019

Teen elected to school board said he won by gaining voters' trust

Elected to school board at 18, he said he won by gaining voters' trust.
Inspired
November 29, 2019
Angela, 43, and Brad Andrews, 42, at their home in Crown Point on Monday, Nov. 4. 2019. They were married on Dec. 11, 2018, with help of the Wish Upon

Wedding experts make dreams come true for 150 couples facing serious illness

Wedding pros make dreams come true for 150 couples facing illness.
Inspired
November 29, 2019

Gutsy 8-year-old with alopecia is a brave role model for struggling kids

Gutsy 8-year-old with alopecia is a brave role model for struggling kids.
Inspired
November 25, 2019
Nur Mood is Hamline's coordinator of social justice initiatives and a champion of getting youth to vote. Hamline has the highest percentage of student

Hamline University's social justice leader is a winner at getting out the youth vote

Nur Mood looks into the future every day — in the form of the bright young people walking across his St. Paul campus.
Inspired
November 22, 2019
Over 50 adults and kids with the Benefit Crashers made a surprise entrance at a benefit for Cheri Ventrucci and her husband Alex. In this photo, the g

These Minnesota party crashers are invited to stir up fun

BenefitCrashers pop in on fundraising gatherings to buoy people facing tough times.

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