Forest Lake Teen Center Extreme Fundraiser

Wyoming Scouts get cold to support mayor

2009-03-04T11:41:00.002-06:00

While Wyoming Mayor Sheldon Anderson was isolated for his 141-hour stay on the roof of city hall, he wasn’t alone for his final night on Saturday. Scouts from Troop 142 camped out overnight in snow forts as a sign of support and a way to earn Zero Hero medals. Scouts taking part were Daniel Mollet, Tim Brennhofer, Adam Sieber, Evan Finley and Jacob Gregerson. The Scouts spent most of Saturday afternoon digging snow forts and preparing for the night. The mayor, who can been seen in the background on top the city hall roof, raised about $5000 for the ISD 831 Community Education Teen Center in Forest Lake. (Photo By Cliff Buchan

http://www.forestlaketimes.com/

Day 7 update

2009-03-02T09:01:00.001-06:00

Coming off the roof coverage

Fox 9 News Wyoming Mayor Camps Out on Roof to Raise Money

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Wyoming_Mayor_Camps_Out_on_Ro/

Forest Lake Times Mayor Anderson back on solid ground

http://forestlaketimes.com/content/view/2505/1/

Thanks to everyone that came out today to see me down. Several exciting opportunity's came up during my stay on the roof that may help us get the word out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Either way we will succeed in keeping the doors of the Teen Center open for area youth and providing a safe place for kids to go after school.

That is all for now but please keep checking back for updates and more information about the Teen Center. Once all the donations come in I'll be posting a total. I intend to continue seeking donations from the ground.

Day 7

2009-03-01T10:13:00.005-06:00

The Scouts and I survived a cold night together. -5 below zero is what the temp ended up at early this morning. The Scouts are all packed up and off for a day of skiing. It's been a great week in getting the message out about the Teen Center. The donations are down from last year but the awareness, support and message about how important the Teen Center is to our kids has never been stronger. The kids know there are many people that care about them and the program and that is very special. It's been a honor and privilege in helping get the message out over the last week.

Fox 9 News is on the way up so I need to do some packing and house keeping.

See you on the ground!

Signing off from the Wyoming Hilton

7th and final night in the Wyoming Hilton

2009-02-28T20:02:00.005-06:00

Hard to believe this is my last night in the Wyoming Hilton. I guess the tent could be considered the penthouse suite tonight with the Scouts burrowed in snow mounds below me. It was a real treat to watch these guys dig out their snow shelters. Their support of the Teen Center and me is deeply appreciated.

The Scouts are here and digging in

2009-02-28T14:04:00.003-06:00

Now that's roughing it!

Day 6

2009-02-28T11:16:00.002-06:00

It made it to -10 degrees last night, thankfully it wasn't windy. Looking forward to watching the Boy Scouts build snow shelters to spend the night in. I'll post some pictures later today.

Day 5 update

2009-02-27T21:06:00.005-06:00

Thank you everyone who emailed, called and donated today. Your help in keeping the doors open and a safe place for kids to be is greatly appreciated. I'm posting a few pictures. Alex couldn't be without his dad any longer and came up and had dinner with me. He also did a little shoveling. Also took a picture of a mom and daughter dropping off a donation.

Day 5

2009-02-27T13:04:00.008-06:00

Made it through a very noisy and windy night. Didn't get that much sleep. Donations are slowly coming in and every dollar helps. Please consider donating $5.00, $10.00 or $25.00 or whatever you can. Each dollar raised goes to help the kids. Joe Moore from Nightlife Entertainment offered his DJ services to hold a special fundraiser at the Teen Center. Thank you KARE 11 for reaching out and finding Joe.

A special thank you to the following

Polaris Industries for the $500.00 donation.
City Attorney Dave Snyder for a $500.00 donation
City Engineeer Mark Erichson $500.00
Wyoming State Bank $500.00
Former Council Member Tom LaBarre $250.00
SRC $250.00
Xccent $100.00
Wyoming Police Officer Brian Rod $100.00
MFRA $100.00
Council Member Joe Zerwas $50.00
Planning Commissioner Frank Storm $50.00

And a HUGE thank you from Olga to former Council Member Ted Phillips for shoveling our sidewalk and driveway this morning.

Day 4 let it snow!

2009-02-26T19:42:00.007-06:00

We brought the Extreme back into the mix today with the wind and snow. All is well. Donations are slower this year but keeping the kids in peoples hearts and minds are just as important. Local Scout Troop 142 will be spending Saturday night (my last night on the roof) with me out in the elements. They plan on building and sleeping in snow shelters, having a fire, cooking out and enjoying a night of winter camping. Stop by and say hello. I'm looking forward to Saturday night.

Photo from the Forest Lake Times http://forestlaketimes.com/content/view/2501/1/

Mayor rides out snowstorm on top of city hall

KARE 11 story http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=540653&catid=2

The RiverBank stops by and donates $500.00

2009-02-25T14:15:00.004-06:00

Thank you RiverBank for the $500.00 donation and the coffee & cookies!

Local business's selling Teen Center Hearts

2009-02-24T09:49:00.003-06:00

The Teen Center kids thank the following business's for selling $1.00 hearts.

Bruce's IGA
Casey's
Wyoming Drug
Wyoming Shell
Cornerstone
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Nesting Grounds
Village Inn
ACE Hardware (Wyoming)
Mansetti's
Friar Tuck's
Old Log Cabin
Perkins (Forest Lake)
Maranantha Church
Lakes 5 Theater
Patriot Bank (Forest Lake)

Stop in and buy a heart and thank local business for helping keep the Teen Center doors open.

Teen Center kids stop by and help me up on the roof

2009-02-23T17:57:00.006-06:00

Press Release February 20, 2009

2009-02-22T13:15:00.001-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2009

Wyoming Mayor goes back up on the roof for Teen Center

FOREST LAKE, MINN. -- On Feb. 23, Community Education of Forest Lake Area Schools will kick off its second annual Extreme Fundraising event to support the Forest Lake Teen Center.

At 3 p.m. on Monday, Wyoming Mayor Sheldon Anderson will head up to the roof of Wyoming City Hall. He will remain on the roof until noon on March 1 in an effort to raise money and draw attention to the importance of the Teen Center for area youth.

The Forest Lake Teen Center provides a valuable service for teens, families and the community. Junior high school students, many of whom might otherwise go home to empty houses, are able to attend the Teen Center free of charge after school, Monday through Thursday during the school year. Research conducted through the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development has found that youth who participate in after school activities experience benefits in both academic achievement and behaviors related to school performance including:

Better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations;
Higher school attendance rates and less tardiness;
Less disciplinary action (e.g. suspension);
Lower drop out rates;
Better performance in school, as measured by achievement test scores and grades.
Anderson and Community Education staff are seeking help in raising money to keep the doors open at the Teen Center. Those interested in making a donation can contact the Wyoming City Hall or go to the website www.extremefundraising.blogspot.com.

Community members can also participate in the "My heart supports the Teen Center" campaign by purchasing a "heart" at local businesses. All proceeds benefit the Teen Center. These hearts will provide a visual reminder of supporters' deep concern for youth and of community support of the mayor's extreme fundraising efforts.

During the past six years, the Teen Center has been able to remain open only through the generous financial support of area residents and businesses. The Community Education Department hopes to continue to provide this safe, supervised after-school program for youth.

For more information, please contact Laurie Drolson, Secondary Youth & Adult Programs Coordinator, at (651) 982-8334, or by email at ldrolson@forestlake.k12.mn.us

Here we go again!

2009-02-18T12:15:00.004-06:00

From The Forest Lake Times
http://forestlaketimes.com/content/view/2439/1/

Wyoming mayor plans to get ‘extreme’ for FL Teen Center

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Cliff BuchanNews Editor
There is no way that anyone will be able to talk down Sheldon Anderson from his self-appointed duty next week.When he is hoisted to the top of the Wyoming City Hall roof on Monday, he plans to stay for the next week, no matter what some of his critics may say. It’s too good of a cause to not want to help, Anderson says.From Monday until Sunday, March 1, Anderson plans to camp on the roof in an effort to raise funds for the ISD 831 Community Education Teen Center program, housed at the Central Learning Center in Forest Lake. It will be Anderson’s second annual “Extreme Fundraising” venture for the teen center program. He raised just under $40,000 in 2008.Now he is planning to do it again, although he has nailed down the time that he will stay on the roof as opposed to last year when he set a target goal of $35,000 that he needed to reach before he would climb down.

Worth the effort

Anderson is convinced that this is a way he can help a worthwhile program and utilize his stature as mayor to help motivate the public to get involved.It wouldn’t be possible if he did not hold the title of mayor, he says, adding that the public would take little interest if some public figure was not involved.He became involved two years ago when he read a newspaper story that told the plight of the teen center. If public funding could not be found, the program was destined to close.Anderson stepped in and helped save the program. This year his efforts will be equally important and a way to add dollars to buy needed equipment, art supplies and computer center time.By crawling up on the roof, Anderson hopes he will once again draw attention to the needs of the Community Education program.“I’m going to do everything I can to help keep the awareness up of the good that this program does for kids,” he said.He believes the program truly gives junior high school kids a safe and supervised place to go after school ends for the day.“Some of them don’t want to go home,” he says. “It gives kids a safe place to go after school.”What could be better for kids, he asks? Having a safe and supervised place to go and study and interact with other teens, or be out on the streets, possibly putting their time and energy into less than desirable activities?“That’s why I do it,” he says. “That’s my motivation. Helping our kids is worth everything.”

In its 6th year

Now in its sixth year, ISD 831 officials are hoping to find support to keep it going for a seventh year.The program is free to junior high students Monday through Thursday during the school year.Julie Ohman, director of community education, said this week the program provides “a valuable service for teens, families and the community.”Without the help of community members like Anderson, businesses, organizations and individuals who donate, it would not be possible for the program to continue, she said.“During the past six years, the Teen Center has been able to remain open only through the generous financial support of area residents and businesses,” Ohman said.“We hope to continue to provide this safe, supervised after-school program for youth. With Mayor Anderson’s efforts and the public’s generous support and encouragement, the Forest Lake Area Teen Center will continue to give youth a safe, supervised place to belong.”

Not discouraged

Anderson says criticism from within Wyoming has in no way discouraged him from offering his help to the program. Wyoming’s help for the program was questioned during a debate over city funding of a rain garden project at Giese Memorial Library. The city council voted against funding $10,000.Anderson says he hopes that the subtle pitting of a library program against a teen program will motivate the public to help. He says it is unfortunate that prior to the rain garden funding denial, no opposition was heard for the teen center or the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau of Forest lake which has been regularly funded by the city of Wyoming.Anderson said the council was criticized for using charitable gambling proceeds for the center in 2008, and not the library project in 2009.“It’s a shame that they [opposition] brought in politics and pitting one thing against a good organization,” he said. “They are making it sound like it’s the mayor’s pool of money. It’s just not true.”Anderson said he believes many in the community support his efforts. “People are supportive of the teen center and they think it is a positive.”Anderson says he can’t apologize for the fact the center is in Forest Lake, not Wyoming. “That’s where our kids go to school. If I win the lottery, I’d build one in Wyoming.”

How to help?

There will be several ways to help in the drive.Contributions can be made online to a web page set up to follow the mayor’s week-long stay on the roof. Safe and secure tax-deductible donations can be made to www.extremefundraising.blogspot.com.Donations can also be made through ISD 831 Community Education, or directly at the Wyoming Community Center during the drive. For more information, call 651-982-8334.

The week-long drive will begin at 3 p.m. on Monday.

The Teen Center still needs your help

2008-02-13T19:34:00.002-06:00

We still need donations to keep the Teen Center interesting for the kids. Any donation be it $5.00-$10.00-$25.00 or more will go to enhance the Teen Center.

Cities 97 Morning Show Interview

2008-02-11T19:34:00.000-06:00

ROOFTOP MAYOR
We spent a few minutes this morning with Wyoming Mayor Sheldon Anderson. Mayor Anderson wanted to raise somemoney to keep the Forest Lake Teen Center open, so he figuered the best way to raise some attention was to camp on a rooftop. After a weekend survivng freezing temperatures atop the Wyoming City Hall, the mayor raised enough funds and was able to come down.
Listen Now

We kept the doors open Now we need to make the Teen Center better

2008-02-11T19:03:00.000-06:00

I talked with Kathy and Chad here is a wish list that we need to work on.

It's important to keep the interest of the kids that use the Teen Center, it's also important to get new faces in the door. Students come to Chad with ideas sometimes that beg for additional staff people. For example, a group of girls wants to start a cheerleading squad (since the program was cut in Forest Lake).
In addition to tumbling mats (which they don't have) that will help keep them safe, it would be great to bring in an additional supervisor/coach with some experience in cheerleading to make sure they're safe and offer some guidance and help. It would be awesome to have the capacity to do the same for other students who come with great ideas.

Here's a wish list. If you can donate any of the following items email Chad CRuter@forestlake.k12.mn.us and he will arrange to pick the item(s) up or tell you where to bring them.

Computers - capabilities to have kids do some photoshop/illustrator creative work or video editiing to market their "clubs" and ideas.

Video camera/digital camera to be used for the same purpose.

Arts and craft supplies

A good set of walkie talkies (at least 3) that can be charged each night and used to aid in communication of staff members in our different locations.

Tumbling mats - a group of girls are starting to work on their own cheerleading routines!

Nintendo Wii + games - more interactive game playing like the Wii can offer are extremely popular these days - guitar hero and DDR have replaced almost all other forms of game playing at Teen Center.

xbox 360 + games - replace some of our older gaming systems with newer and more relevant choices (good way to attract some kids and just get them in the door).

Balls of all sorts for the gym (footballs, basketballs, volleyballs)

Tool kit/tools - for youth to be actively involved in maintaining and fixing equipment.

Trips (maybe cover transportation costs so youth can afford trips) - bowling, valleyfair at end of year, trips to plays, movies, etc.

Well, blow me down (almost) - fundraiser worked

2008-02-11T01:14:00.000-06:00

The mayor came down from the roof after surviving winds and cold. He raised nearly $40,000 for a teen center.
By JAMES WALSH, Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/15496091.html

After enduring wind, cold and living in a tent that kept wanting to fly off the rooftop, Wyoming Mayor Sheldon Anderson came down Sunday from his odd camping perch, thanks to a generous Woodbury man and his $6,000 check.
Since Feb. 2, Anderson had been camping on the roof of the Wyoming Municipal Building to garner attention and raise money to keep the budget-challenged Forest Lake Teen Center open.
His goal was to raise $35,000 -- about the bare minimum to keep the center viable as a place where area kids, grades 7 to 9, could drop in and stay out of trouble.
The mayor knew it was going to be cold over the weekend. Forecasts called for temperatures below zero. But he said he wasn't quite expecting to be assaulted by the weather, especially Saturday night.
"What a night, let me tell you," said Anderson, serving his second term as Wyoming's mayor. "It was cold. Cold and windy. My biggest fear was that the tent was going to come down around me."
Anderson was holed up in a donated tent and was trying to keep warm with donated propane heaters. "But the pilot lights on the heaters kept going out," he said. "The wind kept blowing them out."
The wind also seemed to want to keep ripping the tent from its rooftop moorings. Workers had fastened tent supports into a wooden deck under the tent. Anderson said he worried most of the night about doing a Dorothy-leaves-Kansas impression.
"The tent's 10-by-10," he said. "But when the wind was blowing, it was about 3-by-3."
Rescue came about 9 a.m. Sunday. The Woodbury donor, who Anderson said does not want to be identified, came by the Wyoming City Hall with his daughter and his checkbook. The girl put the $6,000 check into the empty green 5-gallon bucket Anderson kept attached to a rope alongside the building.
In all, the mayor's weeklong winter adventure raised more than the $35,000 needed to keep the teen center open another year. "All of this should put us closer to $40,000," Anderson said. "Some other boards are going to meet later."
In all, it was a worthwhile undertaking, Anderson said, albeit a bit more scary and frigid than he expected.
"It will be good to get home to my family," he said.
James Walsh • 651-298-1541

$6,000 ends long arctic campout

2008-02-11T01:11:00.000-06:00

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_8225974
Surprise donation saves teen center, lets mayor come off roof
BY BOB SHAW Pioneer Press

Sheldon Anderson thawed himself out Sunday - after a bitterly cold night that ended his eight frozen days on the Wyoming City Hall rooftop.
The city's mayor met his goal of raising $35,000 for a local teen center, thanks to a $6,000 check from an anonymous Woodbury family.
"I took a bath, had a bowl of chili and laid down for half an hour," said Anderson, describing his first time at home since Feb. 2. That's when he climbed onto the rooftop to live in a makeshift campsite until he raised the money to keep the Forest Lake Teen Center operating for another year.
All last week, he stayed in a tent with a chair and table inside, e-mailing and calling and trying to get contributions. He would listen as drivers pulled up and shout up to him: "Hey, mayor!" He would lower a plastic bucket on a rope, and haul up money, food, coffee or supplies.
But he never counted on weather as bad as Saturday's. Anderson shivered all night as the temperature dipped to 16 below and winds gusting to 40 mph made his tent flap like a flag in a stiff breeze.
"Last night was a scary thing. The tent was a 10-by-10-foot, but with the wind it was about 3-by-3," Anderson said on Sunday. "I really thought it was going to come down."
The wind kept blowing out the pilot light on his propane heater. Friends found a second heater - but it wasn't much help. "I played hopscotch between the two of them all night," he said.
After waking up Sunday, friends brought him coffee at 8 a.m. But
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he had to face a reality that was as cold as the wind - he was still $6,000 short of his goal. He would probably have to stay for several more days, at least.
But at 11:30 a.m., a family from Woodbury arrived. Anderson lowered the bucket, and when he pulled it back up, there was a $6,000 check inside.
It was the single biggest contribution of the drive. The family asked not to be identified.
By 1:30 p.m., the ordeal was over. Anderson was back at home. Sunday afternoon, he was wearing normal clothes, watching a hockey game on TV and trying to warm up.
He was touched by the huge number of donors that helped save the teen center, which was teetering on the brink of extinction.
"It's nice to know," said Anderson, "there is that kind of kindness out there."
Bob Shaw can be reached at bshaw@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5433.

Day 9 I'm coming down! $35K Goal Reached

2008-02-10T12:13:00.000-06:00

A family from Woodbury stopped by with a check for $6,000 to bring me in from the cold. I'll be coming off the roof at 1:30pm. Here's the sweet little girl that's bringing me down and home to my family also assuring the doors to the Teen Center remain open. Thank you so much!

I'll post later from the warm confines of my house.

I want to thank everyone for everything they did for me during my 9 day stay. I'll never forget the support and kindness. God bless.

Signing off from the Wyoming Hilton!

Day 9 Update

2008-02-10T08:09:00.000-06:00

Well I made it through the night. Let me tell you, it was cold and long. It will be an experience I'll never forget.

Day 8 UPDATE Extremely COLD

2008-02-09T20:02:00.000-06:00

It's cold! Had another heater brought up to me as the one I had wasn't keeping up to the wind and cold. Could be a long night. Channel 4 and 11 just left so maybe (keeping my fingers crossed) it will drive someone to make that one big donation of $5,000 and bring me down. Should be aired at 10pm. Think of the press coverage that would bring to one lucky person or company.

Extreme Weather Forecast

2008-02-09T09:04:00.000-06:00

Tonight: Partly cloudy skies with gusty winds. Some blowing and drifting snow. Dangerous wind chills approaching -40F. Low -14F. Winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph.
Tomorrow: Windy with a few clouds from time to time. Very cold. Dangerous wind chills approaching -40F. High 1F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph.

St. Paul Pioneer Press Day 8

2008-02-09T01:06:00.000-06:00

Wyoming / Fundraiser dirty but determined
After a week on roof, mayor says he really wants a bath, but he's staying until teen center is saved.
It isn't the cold that bothers Sheldon Anderson the most.
It isn't the lack of a toilet or the loneliness. And as he enters his second week on the roof of the Wyoming City Hall, it isn't even the stares of passing drivers.
It's the bathing. "I have to use baby wipes," Anderson said as snow whipped around his tent Friday. "The one thing I am looking forward to is a nice, hot bubble bath."
Anderson, the mayor of Wyoming, climbed to the roof Feb. 2. His vow was to remain until he raised $35,000 to keep the Forest Lake Area Teen Center open.
As of Friday, he'd collected $23,000 and wasn't sure when he'd be able to come down.
"They are predicting wind chills of 40 below this weekend," Anderson said.
"I wanted extreme fundraising, and I got it. But if it were 75 and sunny, no one would pay attention."
Anderson is roof-camping in a 10-by-10-foot tent and sleeps on a cot. Local restaurants have donated food, and neighbors are bringing snacks of cookies and beef jerky.
Without a toilet, he uses a five-gallon drum with a plastic liner. He sits at a small table, tapping on his laptop to run his business, a detective agency called Capital Investigations and Security Services Inc., answer e-mail and update his blog at extremefundraising .blogspot.com.
He calls local businesses, many of which have helped out.
"Our city attorney donated $1,000," Anderson said.
At night, contributors drive up and put money in
the drop box used for city water bills.
Contributions seem to happen by accident. During a phone call, he was mistakenly transferred to a Subway shop inside a Wal-Mart - and an employee decided to drop off a sandwich for him on her way home that night.
Anderson missed the City Council meeting Tuesday and doesn't plan to miss the next one Feb. 19. But it's hard to say for sure.
"I don't know how long I will be up here," he said.
Anderson began his rooftop escapade after a last-ditch effort to keep the center open failed. Wyoming and Wyoming Township contributed $10,000 last summer, but pleas to area mayors last fall failed to raise any money.
"I knew I had to come up with something creative," Anderson said.
If he raises $35,000, he said, it will keep the center afloat for another year. After that, he said, the long-term health of the center will benefit by the creation of a new list of donors.
If the effort succeeds, he will consider doing it again - or some comparable media-attracting stunt to raise money for a good cause.
What if other people want to copy him and camp on the City Hall rooftop for their own favorite causes?
"I don't know. I am just doing what I can to help out," Anderson said. "But I don't have a patent for going up on a roof."
Bob Shaw can be reached at bshaw@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5433.

Addyson Windingstad digs into the college fund

2008-02-08T20:19:00.000-06:00

7 year old Addyson Windinstad took money out of her college fund to get me off the roof and home with my family. Now that's some real support. Thank you so much Addyson from the Teen Center kids, my family and me.

Total as of 5:30pm Day 7 $26,681

2008-02-08T17:36:00.000-06:00

Only $8,319 to go!

Great video shot yesterday Pioneer Press

2008-02-08T16:35:00.001-06:00

http://medianewsgroup.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/medianewsgroup-stpaulpioneerpres-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=homepageplayer&maven_referralObject=a898a5ce-33b6-46b1-8f04-ba603da983d6

Ted Phillips raises $1,285.00 with more on the way!

2008-02-08T12:23:00.000-06:00

Former Wyoming Councilmember Ted Phillips went out and raised $1,285.00 from Forest Lake and Wyoming business owners. Ted says there is more on the way. Thanks for the hard work and dedication to the Teen Center Ted.

Day 7 Star Tribune Report

2008-02-08T09:59:00.001-06:00

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/15421566.html

From the Forest Lake Times

2008-02-08T08:29:00.000-06:00

Nice job Mike

Extreme is what I wanted. Extreme is what I'll get!

2008-02-07T21:15:00.000-06:00

Saturdays Forecast

Colder...windy. Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow in the morning...then partly cloudy with scattered flurries in the afternoon. Areas of blowing and drifting snow through the day. Highs around 10 above. West winds 15 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 20 percent. Lowest wind chill readings 19 below to 29 below zero in the afternoon.

Looks like we'll do a little work on the tent tomorrow to make sure we hold our position.

A Special Thanks

2008-02-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

Susie the owner of Sacred Grounds Espresso Cafe in Stacy stopped by with a care package and a nice donation. Erin and Josh Pepin dropped off some jerky and cookies. Subway in Wal-Mart (Forest Lake) for dinner. I didn't get the woman's name, her daughter attends the Teen Center and she was kind enough to drop off a sandwich and warm wishes on her way home.

Ron and Kathy Bystrom hard at work!

2008-02-07T17:28:00.000-06:00

Ron and Kathy moving the total up to our goal.

Pictures of the day

2008-02-07T17:23:00.000-06:00

My son Alex drops by for lunch and a view from the tent

Day 6

2008-02-07T16:08:00.000-06:00

Been a busy day with interviews with the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press. Total donations as of 4:00pm Thursday $23,000. Will update more later!

KARE 11 report on Teen Center

2008-02-06T22:53:00.000-06:00

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=62468&bw=

Polaris Donates $1,000

2008-02-06T14:25:00.000-06:00

Doug Fischer of Polaris Industries hands over a $1,000 donation from Polaris Industries to Julie Ohman of Director of Community Education. Thank you Polaris.

Day 5

2008-02-06T10:47:00.000-06:00

It's day 5 on the roof and our donation total is approaching $9,000. Your donations, telephone calls and emails have been very much appreciated. No donation is to small! Every dollar counts and goes directly to supporting our children at a time when they need us the most.

Here's a list of the cities and towns that have children attending the Forest Lake Teen Center.

Forest Lake 80 (registered children)
Wyoming 43
Lino Lakes 16
Stacy 16
Ham Lake 5
Linwood 2
Lindstrom 2
North Branch 2
Scandia 2
Hugo 2

WCCO Updated report

2008-02-05T22:38:00.000-06:00

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=38034@wcco.dayport.com

WCCO Channel 4 report

2008-02-05T15:11:00.000-06:00

See link http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=38022@wcco.dayport.com

The words of one donor

2008-02-05T14:55:00.000-06:00

I believe the Teen Center is necessary to our community and has value. If it keeps one kid out of trouble and puts his or her feet on the path to a happy successful life, it is well worth any cost. With regard to the adults of this community, I will say this: To those to whom much is entrusted, much is expected. It is one thing to talk the talk, and quite another to walk the walk, especially with the contents of your wallet. Fancy vacations , houses, cars and other items are not our future. Our young people are. You don't have to be a liberal or a socialist to understand this either. Just a realist with a heart.
~ Bill

Commissioner Ben Montzka dialing for dollars

2008-02-05T10:33:00.000-06:00

County Commissioner Ben Montzka stopped by the Wyoming Hilton (my tent) and dialed for dollars to help keep the doors of the Teen Center open. On behalf of the kids and staff thank you Commissioner Montzka!

Pictures from the Teen Center kids

2008-02-04T15:55:00.000-06:00

Thank you so much!

Fox 9 News reports on fundraising efforts

2008-02-04T13:43:00.000-06:00

Thanks Fox 9!
See Link
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5674370&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

General Safety Donates $1,000

2008-02-04T12:29:00.000-06:00

Steve Reedy donated $1,000 on behalf of General Safety.

http://www.rosenbaueramerica.com/AboutUs/RosenbauerAmerica/GeneralSafetyDivision/Index.cfm

Thank you General Safety!

Forest Lake Councilmember Greg Ochs

2008-02-03T20:46:00.000-06:00

Forest Lake Councilmember Greg Ochs stopped by with a donation for the Teen Center. Thanks Greg

Day 2 Video

2008-02-03T18:43:00.000-06:00

Wyoming Councilmember Blake Tiedeman

2008-02-03T18:13:00.000-06:00

Blake Tiedeman stopped by and dropped off a check to help get to our $35,000 goal. Thanks Blake!

St. Paul Pioneer Press article February 02, 2008

2008-02-03T18:11:00.000-06:00

See link http://www.twincities.com/washington/ci_8146514

Forest Lake Councilwoman Judy Bull

2008-02-03T16:41:00.000-06:00

Forest Lake Councilwoman Judy Bull Stopped by with a donation for the Teen Center this afternoon. Thank you Judy we appreciate your support.

Day One

2008-02-03T13:08:00.000-06:00

Teen Center drum group offers up a warm send off. Thanks kids it was greatly appreciated.

Hallberg steps up to help me down

2008-02-02T23:11:00.000-06:00

The Hallberg Family Foundation donated $1,000 to help bring me down off the roof. Thank You!

Forest Lake Councilwoman reponds to challenge

2008-02-02T15:29:00.000-06:00

Forest Lake Councilwoman Susan Young stopped by Wyoming City Hall and donated $1,000 out of her own pocket to help keep the Teen Center doors open. On behalf of all the Teen Center kids, parents and supporters, thank you Susan!

Tent is up and ready to go! Thanks Jason, Bill and Chase.

2008-01-31T19:06:00.001-06:00

Forest Lake Times issues challenge

2008-01-30T14:07:00.000-06:00

Final Draft by Cliff Buchan
http://forestlaketimes.com/content/view/382/35/

Extreme measures to help teen center by Jennifer Larson
http://forestlaketimes.com/content/view/378/1/

Cliff & Jennifer, Thanks for the GREAT reporting and support!

Press Release

2008-01-30T03:11:00.000-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2008
Mayor goes to “Extremes” to save Teen Center
Local politician camps out in cold to raise money

Wyoming, MN - Mayor Sheldon Anderson vows to stay outside in the freezing cold until he can guarantee teenagers
in Wyoming and surrounding cities will have a place to go inside after school.
Anderson will camp out on the roof of the Wyoming City Hall until he raises $35,000. All the proceeds will go
toward keeping the financially strapped Forest Lake Teen Center open and operating. The five-year-old center is
a free, supervised, drop-in facility that provides educational and enrichment programs for middle school students.
“It may be crazy,” said Anderson about what he’s calling an Extreme Fundraiser. “But what’s really crazy is shutting
down a center that has a proven track record of keeping kids out of trouble and on the right track.”
Anderson will begin his camp-out on Saturday, February 2nd at 12 noon at the Wyoming City Hall (located at
26885 Forest Blvd., Wyoming, MN 55092). City Maintenance workers will pitch his tent on Friday, February 1st.
According to the National Weather Service, these dates fall within the time frame of Minnesota’s most extreme
winter weather conditions.
Anderson, who will update the public daily on his fundraising blog, http://www.extremefundraising.blogspot.com/,
hopes the freezing temperatures will encourage people to donate quickly to the center, which currently cannot
keep up with operating costs. At least $20,000 is needed annually to run the center weekdays all year long. It
relies solely on grants and donations since it does not charge a participation fee.
The City of Wyoming and Wyoming Township stepped in and saved the center last summer with donations totaling
nearly $10,000. Anderson recently asked city council members from surrounding communities to help keep it
open this school year and next. But he’s now resorting to this extreme fundraising effort.
“When I was a kid, I needed a place like this,” said Anderson, who dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. “I
want to make sure other kids have the opportunity I didn’t.”
FOREST LAKE TEEN CENTER FACTS
-Opened in 2002
-Operated by Forest Lake Schools Community Education Youth Development Program
-Serves 7th-9th graders between the hours of 2:15 and 5:30 pm Monday - Friday
Note: Justice Department statistics show the hours from 3pm-6pm are prime times for problems if kids are unsupervised
and unengaged in organized activities.