Optimism – Thank you for 6 years
op·ti·mism noun 1. hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
Optimism is the bedrock on which Gilda’s Club Minnesota was built. Back in 2004, a group of volunteers imagined a place where no one faces cancer alone. Such a place existed elsewhere, but not in the Twin Cities. Following extensive outreach to the medical community, our founders, volunteers, and supporters learned there was a gap in cancer care in the Twin Cities. People impacted by cancer had a need for the evidence-based program of social and emotional support that Gilda’s Club could provide. Filled with hopefulness and confidence about the future, this dedicated team forged ahead with a plan to build a clubhouse.
By 2007, the committee had raised some seed money and began engaging with the Twin Cities community to generate additional financial support to build and open Gilda’s Club Minnesota. The odds were not necessarily in their favor. The capital campaign launched as the US economy was emerging from the severe financial crisis now known as “The Great Recession.” This certainly slowed fundraising efforts, but our passionate community did not give up.
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
-Roy T. Bennett
The Clubhouse Committee scoured the Twin Cities to find the best location in which to build Gilda’s Club Minnesota’s clubhouse. Visiting more than 100 sites, the tireless group ultimately landed on our current location on Wayzata Boulevard. The building had housed several individual office units and had seen better days. Where some might have seen a dark, rundown building, the committee saw possibility.
Fast forward to April 23, 2014 when the red doors of Gilda’s Clubhouse opened for the first time. The transformation of the building was breathtaking. Each room suited the express purpose of serving our members. Staff was hired, support programs delivered, and members joined the Gilda’s Club community. Since then, we have never looked back. We continue, through good times and challenging times, to support those who are impacted by cancer. When I joined the organization in 2017, I was humbled by the community support that this young organization had built. Many of our original supporters remain with us today in volunteer roles, as donors, as program volunteers, and as advocates. We are thankful to those who saw possibilities instead of obstacles in the early days!
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to so many who have helped us build the community that is Gilda’s Club Minnesota.
Thank you to all of the optimists out there who have believed in us since 2004. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” –Helen Keller
Kind regards,
Libby
Executive Director | Gilda’s Club Minnesota
Contact Libby at Libby.Utter@gildasclubmn.org
