Union of Youth

The Key is selling buttons as a fundraiser to raise money for victims of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami. Buttons feature the above design with the Japanese character for hope and the country’s flag. They can be purchased for $3 at various downtown businesses.

All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross disaster relief effort for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

For further information, please contact Peter Hardy (aphardy94@gmail.com, 507-581-4186) or Amy Merritt (merritt.amy@gmail.com, 507-403-1233).

We hope to see you all sportin’ one soon!

DON’T forget: up to $2000/yr in scholarship money to put towards post-secondary education available for HS grads and seniors who’ve been involved with the Key! The application is due Tuesday, April 5th, which is less than a week away! Find it here or hard copies at the Key:

http://www2.nfld.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=34102&fileitem=13573&catfilter=1734

It’s really easy, so if you qualify, you should go for it!

Gross! Look at what Kellen made some kids do at the Key on Friday!

Despite the grotesqueness of making masks from real people, everyone seemed to enjoy it for some reason.

Check out this awesome opportunity for a post-secondary scholarship:

http://www2.nfld.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=34102&fileitem=13573&catfilter=1734

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide funds of up to $2000/year for a Northfield youth to be able to pursue post-secondary education. Renewable for up to 3 years (in addition to the initial year).

Criteria: Applicants must be seniors or graduates who meet the following:

-Face significant financial barriers in pursuing post-secondary education

-Have been actively involved in the Northfield Union of Youth (The Key)

-Have been accepted into a post-secondary program

-Have been involved – and intend to continue to be involved – in community service activities (grant recipients are expected to volunteer at least 40 hours over the course of the year in community service projects of their choosing)

Download an application from the link above or come to the Key and pick up a hardcopy.

A special thank you to all of the people who so generously donated to the Key on Give To the Max Day, Nov. 16th. Thanks to you, we raised $1345 in a single day! We are so grateful for your support.

You’re Invited!

When: Dec. 27th, 7:00-9:00pm, 2010

Where: The New Key, 109 6th St., Northfield, MN

What: A chance to come see the new building, meet the current board, learn what the Key’s been up to, reconnect with other alumni, and share stories!

*For more info call 507-663-0715 or email merritt.amy@gmail.com. Invite your friends and check back here for updates!

On Tuesday, Nov. 16th, 2010, GiveMN.org is hosting Give to the Max Day. Any money donated to the Key during these 24 hours will be matched by GiveMn.org! That means any money you donate to the Key is really DOUBLE the amount. Here is a word from their website:

“Give to the Max Day returns as a day to inspire unprecedented levels of charitable giving in the state of Minnesota! Our goal is to beat our own record and get 40,000 people to give to their favorite Minnesota charity on November 16. Hundreds of nonprofits will offer the opportunity to double your dollars throughout the 24 hours. Every donation you make gives your favorite organization the chance to win even more money.

So click on GiveMN.org November 16th and contribute all you can. Help us reach 40,000 donors strong. You have one day to be part of history. One incredible day to Give to the Max to make our state a better place.”

There is over $1.8 million dollars available in matching funds, so be generous!

It is so easy:

1. Go to GiveMn.org.
2. Search for “Northfield Union of Youth”.
3. Click on one of two tabs: “Help the Key open a new door!” or “NORTHFIELD UNION OF YOUTH INC”. The first link is specifically for our capital campaign, which will help cover the cost, repairs, and remodeling of the new building (this is where we need the most help right now), and the second tab is for the organization in general.
4. Enter the amount you want to donate.

Thank you for all of your generous support – we really hope you consider giving!

To all who have picked up your copy of The Chosen, and to all who have not but still want to participate: we will be reading Chapters 1-2 for Monday, Nov. 15th. Again, meet at the Key next Monday at 7:00pm for good discussion and delectable morsels (aka SNACKS).

The NEW Key FINALLY has a working phone! You can once again call us with all of your hopes and dreams. The number is still 507-663-0715.

Book Club will be starting up at the Key on Monday, Nov. 15th shortly after 7pm. We will be reading The Chosen by Chaim Potok. Also, we have a legitimate St. Olaf student who will be helping us lead discussion! Please stop by the Key to pick up a book if you are interested in attending. There will be snacks!!!

A brief synopsis from Amazon:

Few stories offer more warmth, wisdom, or generosity than this tale of two boys, their fathers, their friendship, and the chaotic times in which they live. Though on the surface it explores religious faith–the intellectually committed as well as the passionately observant–the struggles addressed in The Chosen are familiar to families of all faiths and in all nations.

In 1940s Brooklyn, New York, an accident throws Reuven Malther and Danny Saunders together. Despite their differences (Reuven is a Modern Orthodox Jew with an intellectual, Zionist father; Danny is the brilliant son and rightful heir to a Hasidic rebbe), the young men form a deep, if unlikely, friendship. Together they negotiate adolescence, family conflicts, the crisis of faith engendered when Holocaust stories begin to emerge in the U.S., loss, love, and the journey to adulthood. The intellectual and spiritual clashes between fathers, between each son and his own father, and between the two young men, provide a unique backdrop for this exploration of fathers, sons, faith, loyalty, and, ultimately, the power of love.

Come check it out!