Jolly Trolley Returns!
November 29, 2024
Jolly Trolley Food Drive Returns for 14th Year!
Metro Bus and its partners are excited to announce the dates, times and locations for this year’s Jolly Trolley events! On December 9-12, from 4:30-6:30 PM each day, the Jolly Trolley Food Drive hits the road with stops at Lunds & Byerlys on Monday, Coborn’s – St. Cloud-Cooper on Tuesday, St. Cloud Cash Wise East on Wednesday and Coborn’s – Sauk Rapids on Thursday. Community members are invited to donate cash and non-perishable food items.
Jolly Trolley sponsors include Townsquare Media, Metro Bus, North Central Bus and Equipment and SpartanNash; the grocery stores hosting the drive each night; and contributors Rengel Printing Company and Mustang Signs & Graphics. Donations benefit Catholic Charities Emergency Services, the Promise Neighborhood of Central MN and the St. Cloud Area Salvation Army.
“As part of our mission to serve the communities we proudly belong to, the Jolly Trolley offers a meaningful way to support those in need during the holiday season,” said Metro Bus CEO Ryan Daniel. "We are dedicated to helping put food on the tables of local families and bringing a little extra joy to our neighbors this time of year.”
Cash donations allow food shelves to purchase up to five times as much food with each dollar as retail customers. Food shelves are also able to purchase for specific needs.
Last year the Jolly Trolley collected 12,726 pounds of food and $4,884 for totals of almost 68,000 pounds and over $34,000 over the 13-year history of the Jolly Trolley!
Our Recent News
On Tuesday, January 28th, a group of students from Trex North School visited Pond View Estates in Albany, organized by Sandy Baldwin, group leader, and in collaboration with Catholic Charities in St. Cloud. Julie Ueland, the student advisor, helped oversee the project to ensure everything went smoothly. Pond View Estates is a Senior Dining Congregate Kitchen, where seniors gather to enjoy meals and socialize, making it a perfect environment for these students to connect with the residents. When the students arrived, the residents were delighted by the youthful energy and enthusiasm they brought. The students quickly got to work helping the seniors create Valentine’s cards before lunch. The atmosphere was filled with creativity and laughter as everyone worked together to make colorful and thoughtful cards. Afterward, the group enjoyed lunch together, where the dining hall was full of lively conversation. The students interacted with the seniors, hearing their stories and building new connections. The visit bridged generations, fostering meaningful and joyful interactions. The highlight of the day was the bingo game that followed lunch, where excitement filled the room as the numbers were called. Friendly competition brought plenty of laughs, especially when someone was just one number away from winning, only for another participant to grab the prize first. The fun, camaraderie, and shared moments left everyone smiling. A few standout interactions included Joseph and Riley spending time with resident Victor Tschida, and Tianna sharing a special moment with resident Ken Bunger. These connections highlighted the deep impact of intergenerational friendships. For many of the residents, the visit from the students was an unexpected but cherished experience, reminding everyone of the importance of making time for one another. It was a beautiful day of fostering community, connection, and kindness. As the students prepared to leave, there was a sense of fulfillment in the air. Not only had the day brightened the seniors' lives, but it also left a lasting impression on the students, who gained a deeper understanding of the joy and fulfillment that comes from spending quality time with others. The day ended with smiles, hugs, and promises to return, a reminder of how powerful and meaningful human connection can be.
At Lincoln Elementary in Little Falls, the pre-K classroom thrives thanks to Miss Maranda and Dorothy, a Foster Grandparent volunteer. Ms. Maranda values having Grandma Dorothy in the room. "It's great to have someone with a fresh perspective who connects with students," she says. Dorothy helps students with academics and brings a caring approach to the youngest learners. Dorothy enjoys her role, finding it both fun and meaningful. "The kids are so much fun, and I'm happy to help with lessons that impact their learning for years," she says. The appreciation between Miss Maranda and Dorothy is mutual. "Dorothy brings positivity, is helpful and kind, and has become an integral part of our classroom team," Miss Maranda shares. Dorothy feels valued, especially when teachers note her impact on students. "When my teacher tells me, 'I can tell which students you've worked with,' it lets me know I’m making a difference," Dorothy says. Their collaboration has led to touching moments, such as a student hugging Dorothy at Walmart. "It shows the lasting connection we’ve made," Dorothy recalls. Miss Maranda echoes this, saying, "We’d gladly welcome another foster grandparent into our program. It’s refreshing to have a grandparent figure who makes a lasting impact on both learning and relationships." Dorothy’s support is important for struggling students. "I love encouraging them to do their best," she says, finding joy in seeing their proud faces when they grasp a concept or complete a project. The partnership between Miss Maranda and Dorothy highlights the impact of volunteers. Dorothy’s positivity, support, and perspective enhance the learning experience and provide invaluable help to teachers, showcasing the mutual benefits of the Foster Grandparent Program.
For over five years, Grandma Cory has been a dedicated volunteer with the Central MN Foster Grandparent Program, sharing her love of learning and kindness with classrooms across the community. Driven by a deep passion for children, Cory joined the program to make a meaningful difference and inspire the next generation. For the past three years, Cory has had a lasting impact in Suzanne Robben's preschool classroom at Oak Ridge Early Learning Center. On World Kindness Day, Suzanne posted a heartwarming photo of herself with Cory, capturing the spirit of their shared mission to spread kindness and positive energy. Devoting two hours a day, four days a week, Cory’s presence is felt throughout the classroom. While she primarily focuses on reading and math stations, her caring and flexible nature often sees her lending a hand with a variety of tasks. Suzanne describes Cory as having a magnetic effect on the students: “They are like magnets to her. She is so kind, caring, and has a special way of engaging their learning.” Cory’s approach to teaching is as heartwarming as it is effective. She connects with the children by meeting them at their level—often sitting crisscross-applesauce with them during story time. Her interactions with the children have created lasting bonds, with the kids eagerly asking about her whenever she is absent and excited for her return. They also love it when she participates in special celebration days like Whacky Wednesday, PJ Day, and Hat Day, making those moments even more memorable. Beyond her daily presence in the classroom, Cory has committed to using the Foster Grandparent Program’s Assignment Plan, a tool designed to measure student progress. Although she works with all of the children, certain students who need extra one-on-one support with reading and math receive focused attention. At the end of the year, these children will be reassessed to track their progress and celebrate the improvements they’ve made with Cory's guidance. Grandma Cory’s dedication and warmth have already made a significant impact on the students and the broader Oak Ridge Early Learning Center community. The lasting relationships she has built, along with the academic progress of the children she mentors, reflect the powerful role that the Foster Grandparent Program plays in enriching young lives. The Central MN Foster Grandparent Program continues to provide meaningful intergenerational connections through tutoring, mentorship, and supportive relationships that benefit both volunteers and children alike. In 2023 alone, 195 senior volunteers served over 77,500 hours across 88 stations in Central Minnesota, working with nearly 10,000 children. With a focus on school readiness, literacy, social skills, and more, the program helps children thrive in ways that go beyond the classroom. Grandma Cory’s story is a beautiful example of the difference one dedicated volunteer can make. Her love, support, and kindness continue to inspire not just the children she works with, but all of us fortunate enough to be a part of the Foster Grandparent Program. Learn more about how the Foster Grandparent Program is making an impact in Central Minnesota.
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