Community Backpack

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department will have its annual Toys For Tots drive from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday December 7th at the Sauk Rapids fire hall 408 north Benton Drive. We will have cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. 

We will also be collecting toys along the Jingle and Mingle parade starting at 5pm. 

For more Information call Brian at 320-237-1201 

Printable PDF poster

Join us in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota for a magical day and night of holiday festivities! Our city celebration includes the sparkle of downtown lights, an artisan market, business market, horse-drawn wagon rides, a llama wonderama, a living nativity, two very merry meat raffles, a lighted grand parade featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Christmas concert of the season, endless shopping specials, Jingle Bingo, and more!

Enjoy a variety of menu items from our downtown eateries and warm up during the parade with free hot chocolate and candy for the kids!

For all the up to date information visit our website at https://www.saukrapidsjinglemingle.com/

Tinsel Tumble Event

Hosted by the North Crest Athletic Association Gymnastics Booster Club

• Sunday, December 8
• 12:00–3:00 p.m
• North Crest Kids Activity Center
• $10.00 per wristband

Wristband events include: Cookie decorating, open gym and a holiday craft.
Concessions: Hotdogs, Nachos, Cotton Candy, Popcorn and more
Take you changes at our bake-walk and win some yummy goodies

Printable PDF Flyer

Celebrate Kwanzaa with Us!

Join us on Saturday, December 14, for the St. Cloud Community 29th Kwanzaa Celebration at the Whitney Senior Center from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.

This family-friendly, cultural event is hosted by Diggin' Diversity and other sponsors. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with a free meal, gifts for children, and a chance to witness the talents of SRRMS Diggin' Diversity students.

To help us prepare, we encourage you to register in advance for meals and gifts. You’ll find more details in the attached flyer.

This celebration also continues the tradition of honoring exceptional members of the African American community who inspire through their achievements and leadership. While nominations for this year have closed, we look forward to sharing their impactful stories during the event.

Let’s come together to celebrate culture, community, and the spirit of Kwanzaa. We hope to see you there!

For more information or to register by phone, call Higher Works Collaborative at 320-774-1588 or online here

Sponsored by: African American Male Forum; CentraCare African American ERG; City of Saint Cloud, Mayor's Office; Diggin’ Diversity at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School; Higher Works Collaborative; NAACP Saint Cloud Branch; Saint Cloud Financial Credit Union; St. Cloud State University; Too Much Talent; United Way of Central Minnesota; Whitney Senior Center 

Printable PDF Flyer

Enroll your child for free monthly books

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and United Way of Central Minnesota. 

• Enroll your child by scanning the QR code, or visiting the website below
• The first book will arrive in 8-10 weeks
• Books arrive in the mail monthly until the child’s fifth birthday

Visit Our Website www.unitedwayhelps.org/imagination-library

United Way of Central Minnesota
921 1st Street N. 
St. Cloud, MN 56303
320-252-0227

Printable Flyer

Printable Registration Form

The Sauk Rapids VFW Auxiliary #6992 is excited to announce the kickoff of the

VFW Auxiliary Scholarships and Contest Programs 

The Scholarships and Contest Programs are open to any student interested in participating. 

• Continuing Education VFW Auxiliary Scholarship. 
• Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest - students in grades 9-12. 
• 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest - for students in grades 9-12.
• Patriot's Pen - grades 6-8 -The 2024-25 theme is: "My Voice in America's Democracy?" 
• Voice of Democracy - grades 9-12 The 2024-25 theme is: "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?" 
• Illustrating America - An art contest for students in grades K-8 

Additional instructions and forms for each of the above can be found at: https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/ - click on scholarships and contest tab. 

Sauk Rapids Auxiliary 6992 Scholarship- entry forms can be found at https://www.vfw6992.org/links 

Please be sure to follow the instructions, all are very specific. All must be received by the deadline; no exceptions are allowed. 

If you have any questions, please email karenwolbeck@gmail.com or call Karen at 320-493-9274. 

Additional information can be found in this PDF

You’re invited!

This is an open invitation to join vocal and instrumental musicians ages 14+ from all over Central Minnesota.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Area Musicians Collective is a startup community musical organization located in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.  We aim to increase engagement and membership for future public concerts that benefits the music culture of Central Minnesota as well as raise funds for the *Sauk Rapids-Rice Music Boosters. We are not perfect musicians. If you have not dusted off your vocal cords or favorite instrument, now is the time to put them back into use! We are looking for passionate volunteers to join in our efforts

• No tryouts!
• Over 55 members already (June 2024)
• Started in August 2024
• Christmas Concert in December
• Practices at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School

Click here for more information

If you have questions regarding this form, please call Ryan @ 320-250-3935 or email ryan.t.kissinger@gmail.com.

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Now Hiring Youth Mentors!

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of young people?
Join our team and earn $15.00 per hour and up, based on position and experience. Opportunities available at 18 locations.

Click here to apply online: https://www.bgcmn.org/careers/

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer/service provider.

New to the area, but not new to the dance world Tippi Toes St. Cloud was born November 2023. Jamie Hoelscher and her family are excited to not only bring value for dance classes to working parents, but also knows the importance of allowing children to express themselves through dance in a fun and positive environment. 

Serving the Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Cloud, and surrounding areas. View more information via their website: https://www.tippitoesdance.com/location/tippi-toes-st-cloud/

Printable .pdf flyer

Les Voyageurs Inc. has some exciting news!

Young people who are interested in the expedition of a lifetime over the summer months are encouraged to learn more. 
Boys and girls currently in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade are eligible to apply for this one-of-a-kind wilderness experience.

Les Voyageurs Inc. was founded in 1971 and seeks to expand the horizons of young people through month-long canoe expeditions into the wild parts of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. 

Visit our website at www.les-voyageurs.org to find a meeting date that works best for you! 

For more information see there website at srrfsa.org or email them at stromsrrfsa@gmail.com

Sauk Rapids-Rice FASTPITCH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION

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Established in 1981, Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (CMYSA) is a community and volunteer-driven soccer program that provides for the growth and development of players, coaches and referees. We work to promote a fun, fair, and safe environment that maximizes participation and improves players' skills while developing sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Visit CMYSA website

Sauk RapidsYouth Hockey (SRYHA) provides organized hockey for boys and girls ages 4 to 15. The primary objective of this site is to serve the SRYHA membership and improve communications. Our association seeks to provide a community and volunteer-driven program to promote the growth and development of all youth hockey players. Our Association works to promote a fun, fair, and safe environment that maximizes participation and improves players' skills while developing sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Visit the SRYHA website

Sartell Youth Hockey (SYHA), Sauk Rapids Youth Hockey (SRYHA), and St. Cloud Youth Hockey (SCYHA) combined their girl’s hockey programs, from level U10 through U15, starting in the 2021-2022 season.  This Co-Op will provide girls within the Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and St. Cloud communities with the opportunity to play age and skill level appropriate hockey. This combination increases the number of players among each age level, therefore allowing the opportunity to field teams at different level classifications. We added a U8 girls program in the 2022-2023 season. 

Visit the Riverblades website

The purpose of Sauk Rapids Rice Youth Basketball Organization (SRRYBO) is to provide boys and girls in grades 3–8 who reside in or attend ISD 47 a fun, developmentally-enriching and competitive travel basketball experience.  

Visit the SRRYBO website

For more information about youth wrestling please complete the form below 

Sauk Rapids-Rice Booster Club Information Request

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At SRRJO, providing the opportunity to train efficient and effective skills as well has teaching "Volleyball IQ" is our main focus. We provide training for all ability and experience levels. We work hard to have experienced coaches in our program. With this as a focus, it allows us to utilize effective training techniques for all of our athletes.

Visit the SRRJO Volleyball website

EARN CASH FOR SCHOOLS WITH BOX TOPS
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

For over 25 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn for schools with products they already buy. Today, you can find thousands of participating products throughout the store — and all you need is the Box Tops app.

Get the App

Put Your Passion in Action. Become a Tutor in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools

Looking for a rewarding experience where you can make an impact? Help students strengthen their skills and become a tutor at Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools! No education experience needed–bring your desire to make a difference.   

#TutorOurKids

Tutors work with students during school hours throughout the school year. No matter if you’re a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent or retiree, you can make a great tutor. With training and on-site coaching, we’ll prepare you to help kids succeed.

Please help us spread the word by sharing with anyone you know who may be interested! Learn more and apply at Join.ReadingandMath.org. Questions can be sent to joe McLean at 612-209-3048 or joe.mclean@ampact.us

With your help, we can give kids more - more opportunities, more success and more confidence. 

Downloadable flyer

Save Receipts For Your Child's Education Expenses If you're buying school supplies for your children in kindergarten through 12th grade, you may qualify for one or both of these tax benefits: 

• K-12 Education Subtraction
• K-12 Education Credit

Save your receipts, because both benefits can help lower your taxes and may provide a larger refund when filing your Minnesota income tax return. In 2021/22, more than 19,000 families received the K-12 Education Credit and saved an average of $261. Nearly 130,000 families received the K-12 Education Subtraction with an average subtraction of $1,207.

Common Expenses That Qualify: 

• School supplies (pencils, paper, calculators)
• Educational computer hardware and software
• Tutoring K-12 curriculum by a qualified instructor
• Rental or purchase of musical instruments used during school

Expenses That Do Not Qualify: 

• School supplies not used in education (backpacks, tissues, organizers)
• Internet service and access fees Clothing, including school uniforms (except required gym clothes)
• School lunches
• Family trip to museum or zoo

Do I qualify? To qualify for either the credit or subtraction, both of these must be true:

• You purchased educational services or materials to assist with your child's education
• Your child is attending kindergarten through 12th grade at a public, private, or home school

Income limits for Each Program K-12 Education Subtraction:
There are no income limits for the education subtraction.
K-12 Education Credit: Your household income (taxable and nontaxable income) must be below the levels shown here. If you qualify for the credit, you must file a Minnesota return to claim a refund.

Number of qualifying children in K-12:             Household income must be less than:
1 or 2............................................................................................$37,500 
3.....................................................................................................$39,500 
4 or more.....................................................................................Add $2,000 for each additional child

K-12 Education Subtraction: There are no income limits for the education subtraction.

For more information on these benefits and other valuable tax information, visit www.revenue.state.mn.us and enter K12 into the Search box, or call us at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094. 

We encourage you to register your youth for The Club's Storm Afterschool program at Sauk Rapids Middle School! You are receiving this email because you have registered your youth to attend Boys & Girls Club's FREE afterschool outreach program at Sauk Rapids Middle School in the past.

The Club's Storm Afterschool program will be open after school Monday - Friday from school dismissal until 6:00 p.m. This program is not open on non-school days, so we encourage you to send your youth to the Eastside Boys & Girls Club on non-school days from noon - 6:00 p.m. Snacks and meals are provided at the Eastside Club on those days.

What to expect

At the Club's Storm Afterschool program, your youth can expect the following programs and services:

• Power Hour homework help
• CareerSTART - workforce readiness
• SMART Moves Skills Mastery And Resistance Training
• Cooking Club
• The Arts - painting, sewing, jewelry
• STEM challenges
• Social Recreation
• Academic Challenges
• Family Feud/Bingo/Minute To Win It
• Community service activities
• And more!

When you arrive at the school for pick-up at door 5, you will call 320-895-1412 to let staff know to have your student sign out and meet you.

We look forward to getting to know your youth and helping them build their great future! If you have questions, please contact staff at The Club's Storm Afterschool at storm@bgcmn.org or call us at 320-257-5421.

Hours

Monday through Friday 
3:15 to 6:00 p.m. after school days only
Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Community Room 
Visit the Eastside Club on non-school days and during the summer. 

Fees

A Club membership is FREE!
Includes membership to Storm After School and access to the opportunities at all of the Boys & Girls Club locations.

REgister Here for STORM after School

The Eastside Club will be open at the following times during the 2024-25 school year: 

For  K – 5th graders:

• Monday – Friday from school dismissal until 7:00 p.m., except on early dismissal days
• Noon – 5:30 p.m. on scheduled non-school days (not including major holidays). Snacks are provided after school, and mealtime is at 5:00 p.m.

For 6th – 12th graders:

• Monday – Friday from school dismissal until 8:00 p.m., except on early dismissal days
• Noon – 6:00 p.m. on scheduled non-school days (not including major holidays). Snacks are provided after school, and mealtime is at 5:-- p.m.

• Need more information?

  If you have questions about the programs provided by the Boys & Girls Club, please visit our website: www.bgcmn.org, contact us at Club@bgcmn.org or contact our Clubs directly by clicking here.

Helping People. Changing lives.

Basic Needs

• Bus rides
• Assistance with energy bills and furnace repairs
• Housing resources
• Applying for food support and access to food resources COVID-related assistance programs*

Self Sufficiency

• Low cost vehicles for sale*
• Energy consumption assessment and education
• Budgeting, credit, and banking education
• Landlord-Tenant education
• Tax preparation services (during tax season)
• Support and training to get back into the workforce
• Vehicle repair assistance*

Building Stability

• Home weatherization
• Matched Savings Program
  • Home ownership, higher education, small business

* When funds are available

Contact Tri-CAP today to find out more!
www.tricap.org

320-251-1612 or 888-765-5597

Printable Flyer

UPDATED 3/1/23 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services

Have you moved in the past three years or will you be moving soon? If you have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, please update your contact information with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It’s important so they can reach you when it’s time to renew your health insurance.

Visit mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo.

Catholic Charities

Salvation Army

Tr-County Action Program Flyer

St. Cloud Area Therapists

Therapists - Lutheran Social Services

Central Minnesota Mental Health Center

Catholic Charities - Behavioral Health

St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)

Catholic Charities Transitional Housing

Place of Hope

Salvation Army

Tr-County Action Program Flyer

Tri-County Action Program (Tri-Cap)

Metro Bus

Metro Bus - Dial-a-Ride

Tr-County Action Program Flyer

We have exciting news! There are FREE tutoring opportunities available for Sauk Rapids-Rice School District students.

An initiative of the United Way called Around Cloud is partnering with a number of other area organizations to provide digital academic support for students in the St. Cloud area free of charge.
Visit Around Cloud Tutors for more information. around Cloud Printable Flyer

Scholar Squad is an online tutoring program through Reading and Math Corps that also provides virtual, one-on-one skills-building opportunities.

Visit University of Minnesota Extension - Benton County

Whether you're a parent of an elementary, intermediate or high school aged child, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

Visit the Boys Scouts of America Website

Printable Flyer for Cub scouts - Pleasantview

Printable Flyer for Cub Scouts - Rice

Central MN Art Journal Facebook Page

stcloudzinefest@gmail.com for more information 

Visite Central MN Youth Ski Club

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) is Minnesota’s name for EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment), a federal program that provides well-child health care for children under the age of 21 enrolled in Medicaid.

Printable Flyer Here

WEbsite

Visit ST Cloud Park & Recreation 

Visit their website here

Girl Scouts is an activity that can continue with virtual interactions. Girl Scouts Lakes and Pines has created a variety of online programming so girls can take part at no cost to learn new skills, virtually interact with girls from across the globe and participate in service projects that support those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Girl Scouts Lakes and Pines website 

At St Cloud Area - MN Just For Kix, kids shine.
In St Cloud Area - MN we celebrate the achievements of every student, at any skill level. Our dance classes provide young dancers a learning environment focused on team work, proven dance technique and confidence building. Committed to youth dancers advancement through performance, we believe in every student. Backed by 35 years of experience, our dedication to enabling dancers to shine creates a learning environment like no other.

DANCE with St Cloud Area - MN Just For Kix. On a stage all our own.

Visit ST Cloud YMCA

Visit Soo Bahk Do Karate

Helping People. Changing lives.

Basic Needs

• Bus rides
• Assistance with energy bills and furnace repairs
• Housing resources
• Applying for food support and access to food resources COVID-related assistance programs*

Self Sufficiency

• Low cost vehicles for sale*
• Energy consumption assessment and education
• Budgeting, credit, and banking education
• Landlord-Tenant education
• Tax preparation services (during tax season)
• Support and training to get back into the workforce
• Vehicle repair assistance*

Building Stability

• Home weatherization
• Matched Savings Program
  • Home ownership, higher education, small business

* When funds are available

Contact Tri-CAP today to find out more!
www.tricap.org

320-251-1612 or 888-765-5597

Printable Flyer

Whether you have students just starting out in elementary school, ready to graduate or just have a willingness to make a difference in our schools, we encourage you to consider volunteering.

Your interest to helping our students succeed and working together to create a positive impact on their educational journey is an integral part of the educational setting. Parents/guardians and volunteers involved in the education of our students is an important part of our Strategic Plan here at Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools this year.