Summertime Shine!
Welcome to summer! This season of the year represents so many different things to so many people. It marks a time when the sun shines the brightest and longest. It echoes the joy of family gatherings, water sports, and of course in Minnesota, travels to lakes and cabins with the ones we love. There is no better time than summer to literally “find your sunshine.”
If you’ve ever felt as if you thrive more in the summer, there may be some truth to that. The sun itself offers benefits such as improving your mood, supporting better sleep, and providing essential nutrients like vitamin D! Outside of those benefits, sunshine is the epitome of wellness and health. It is a reminder to care for yourself, whether cancer is a part of your story or not. It is no secret that at Gilda’s Club, our program emphasizes the importance of caring for your physical self and mental well-being. We encourage everyone to find their sunshine whether in one of our walking groups in the community or classes at the clubhouse or online.
For Gilda’s Club staff, all our members and volunteers are sunshine. We feel your warmth and love with every exchange of laughter, vulnerable conversation, and even tears. Every heart that enters through the red doors imprints on our community and we take that with us always. YOU all create an atmosphere of wellness and health for us. Below, you all have a quote that you have read from me before, but I want to offer it as a reminder:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Maya Angelou
Whatever opens your heart to joy, do more of that; follow the warmth. Below are a few highlighted programs for you all to find your sunshine in community this summer:
- Gilda’s On the Go: Gilda’s Goes Walking
- Various dates and times
- Gilda’s Club hosts weekly walking groups in Minneapolis, Plymouth, and St. Paul. Join one or more walking groups for conversation, fresh air, and light physical activity.
- Drum Circle- In person with Michael Bissonette
- Mondays, July 8 – August 12 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Release powerful emotions through music at our Monday evening drum circle.
- Coffee Talk – Online with GCMN Volunteers
- First Friday of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 am
- Start your Friday with light conversation with Gilda’s Club members throughout Minnesota at this virtual social.
- Birds & Brew – In-person at the Clubhouse with Lisa Keitel
- Second Tuesday of each month from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Connect with your fellow GCMN members over coffee while observing and learning about the birds around the Clubhouse with Master Naturalist Lisa Keitel.
Sign up for these upcoming program offerings on our virtual program offerings page and in-person program offerings page, in your class registration account, or call us at 612-227-2147.
Wishing wellness and giving gratitude,
Shaunequa James, MSW, LICSW
Program Director
612-227-2147 office | 952-767-7627 direct
10560 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55305
