IOCP reaches Sleep Out goal

A $30,000 grant pushed IOCP over the top of its $1.8 million Sleep Out Campaign goal for 2011. The annual 7-week campaign that ended Dec. 31 raises awareness of and funds for the basic needs of families in the eight west suburban communities IOCP serves.

Funds raised represent 65 percent of IOCP’s annual budget and will help stabilize 900 local families. On average, it costs about $2,000 to help a family for one year. The need for basic services such as housing, employment, and food continues to grow.

“Every program at IOCP will be impacted by the generosity of this wonderful community,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “Once again, this community has demonstrated its willingness to invest in the future of all of its families and in ways that promise the best possible return.

“A successful campaign means we can help more families with rent, provide more assistance with job searches, expand our scholarships for children of low-income families, increase the items we make available in our food shelf, and pursue partnerships around long-term transportation solutions,” Hoy added

The campaign engaged businesses, community leaders, faith communities, schools, and people of all ages. More than 1,000 community members slept out during the campaign, and more than 2,500 individuals donated to the Sleep Out this year.

Since the Sleep Out Campaign began in 1996, IOCP has raised more than $15 million to support families in its service area, which includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.

Success Drivers

Several factors contributed to this year’s successful Sleep Out campaign, according to Jill Kohler, IOCP development director.
• IOCP’s move to Plymouth and more visible location have increased awareness and participation among community members. Hundreds have toured the facility and gained an understanding of the breadth of work that happens at the IOCP Family Service and Learning Center. From August to November, nearly 700 volunteers contributed about 9,500 hours.
• As part of Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day in November, IOCP received a $15,000 prize for coming in first in the state for funds raised during the 24 hour period ($311,174).
• 17 year-old Peter Larson finished his Sleep Out effort raising an astounding total of $520,000 over his 12 years of involvement.
• The mild winter weather led to more involvement by groups choosing to sleep outside.
• Local print and TV coverage of the sleep out kept the campaign in front of folks and was a factor in increasing the number of donors to the campaign.