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Help Us Restore the Merry
What to Give
We are collecting cash donations as well as pre-loaded gift cards.
Some gift card ideas are:
- Amazon
- Visa Gift Cards
- Target
- Walmart
- Clothing Stores
- Grocery Stores
- Gas Cards
- Restaurants or DoorDash
- Coffee
How to Give
Cash donations can be made by Venmo, to @AmyVanderbeek (last four digits of phone number, 5122) with a description of "Restore the Merry".
Or by check payable to
River Heights Restorative Mediation.
Envelopes remitted to "Amy Vanderbeek" can be dropped off or mailed to the following collection sites:
Inver Grove Brewing
9051 Buchanan Trail
Inver Grove Hts, MN 55076
Cuppa More Pages
7826 Cahill Ave
Inver Grove Hts, MN 55076
(Mailbox Only:)
River Heights Vineyard Church
6070 Cahill Ave
Inver Grove Hts, MN 55076
Nominate a Single
Mom or Dad
Now looking for a deserving single momma or father to help support during the holidays! The individual will receive the collected gift cards and cash in early December, hand delivered, so that they too, can enjoy the Christmas magic of shopping for the perfect gifts and special meals!
Potential recipient must live within 25 miles of Inver Grove Heights and be a single mom or dad who is feeling financially stretched this year and/or may be experiencing another hardship that makes it difficult to celebrate their traditions this Christmas.
Please email me (by Nov. 30th) why this person deserves the reward in approximately 250 words to my address:
riverheightsrestorative@gmail.com
Use "Restore the Merry" in the subject line, and be sure to include the name, phone number and email address for the potential recipient.
FINE PRINT: I am asking that whoever nominates an individual, to also make a donation if that individual is chosen.
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A Christmas of their Own
It was important to me to preserve the holiday spirit of tradition though. I had gratefully been a part of holiday "adopt -a-family" type programs myself during the early years of my separation. While the programs are overwhelmingly kind, it was also a little disheartening being handed a box, right before Christmas, of age-appropriate items your kids may not enjoy. There was a sense of joy and pride missing in picking out the perfect gifts for the ones I loved most.
So when I did the program, I made it a point to accept a collection of only gift cards or cash so that I could give these moms the financial freedom they needed to do what they wanted for their holiday traditions; go shopping to pick out the perfect gift, buy the food that they looked forward to for their special meals, or to buy supplies for baking, or gas for their cars. Its been my hope to help lift some of the financial burden so these families can focus on what truly matters—enjoying the warmth, wonder, and magic of the holiday season with their family.
Our 2025 Families
This year, thanks to the enthusiastic generosity of our donors, we were able to help TWO families. Our first is a powerhouse of a single mother, caring for her two children, 4 years old and 2 years old, who both have significant medical needs - all while working and going to school. If that wasn't enough, when I contacted her, her household was battling the flu! She was overwhelmed with gratitude after the initial surprise of being the recipient of this blessing.
I am grateful to share we had enough to help another financially struggling momma who was nominated for one simple request: a food-filled, family filled, holiday season. We were able to mail a gift card to help provide groceries to this persevering mom and her 5 year old son, too!
Thank you!
As a thank you, our recipient and her son made us this canvas that I am looking forward to keeping with my Christmas decorations every year!
Together during our 2025 fundraiser, we raised over $800 in cash and gift cards to help bring holiday magic to two households. Thank you for sharing our cause and for all of the kindness and generosity of your donations. It will truly be a Christmas to remember!
How It All Began
A single momma of three, and a rough separation and divorce. I was a stay at home mom, left with nothing but court dates and mounting expenses. But, I was overwhelmed by the generosity I was met with when I needed it - as a person who DID NOT KNOW how to ask for help at the time.
My kids and I began to try and pay the generosity forward by reaching out to other momma's in the community to see if we could bring holiday tradition supplies to their homes: cookie dough and cookie making supplies, wrapping paper/tape, Christmas movies, etc. It was a nice little tradition we began to give back in our gratitude.
Then covid happened! I had gotten a job waitressing after my separation. I knew how hard it was becoming for single moms, who often take up waitressing jobs as a means for flexibility and cash, who were now out of work, because I was feeling the struggle during this time too. So that year we went bigger. I ran a fundraiser on my own to support 2 local single moms who's primary job was in the restaurant industry, which was at the time closed down. I was able to raise nearly $3000 that year.
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Restore the Merry
This fundraiser has ended for 2025. Thank you to all of our donors! Read more about our family this year below.