Jamie Thingelstad

We completed our annual candle sale raising $9,048 for the four organizations we picked! That is a 29.1% increase from 2024, topping the growth of previous years at 21.8, 9.7, and 10.3%. A huge thank you to the 73 folks from this community who made this possible by purchasing a wooden-wick candle made with love!

As in previous years, we let people pick which organizations they would like to support. People could pick any or all of the organizations. We even had some folks request specific allocations versus dividing it proportionally.

The is the closest clustering of amounts between the various organizations that we have ever had with only a 2.4% delta between the four organizations.

A bit more about the organizations that we have sent these funds to!

Animal Welfare Institute

The Animal Welfare Institute is a non-profit committed to freeing animals suffering because of people. They do this for animals stuck in labs all the way to animals suffering on farms. Their mission is to end all human-caused suffering for animals everywhere, improving the welfare of all. I picked this non-profit because put simply, animals shouldn’t suffer due to humans, and I think it is our responsibility as a society to make sure that we do not make animals unnecessarily hurt. — Tyler

Border Angels

Centered around love, Border Angels help migrants and refugees along the entire US-Mexico border with legal issues and human rights cases. Founded in 1986 by Enrique Morones, it now runs multiple direct action programs and advocacy and humanitarian work. Their Water Drops program stations food, water, and other essential resources along dangerous sections of desert that migrants must cross before arriving in the US. Their Bond Program assists families with the financial burden of bonds and legal struggles to free loved ones being held in detention facilities. Also made possible by Border Angels, the Caravan of Love donates hygiene supplies and clothing to refugees being held in overcrowded shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, and Volviendo a Casa provides support for families suffering from loss. — Mazie

The Food Group

The Food Group is a local non-profit that supplies food shelves with low cost, local healthy foods. They also own a organic farm in Marine on St Croix where they grow veggies and give opportunities for others to learn about sustainable farming helping the next generation of farmers gain access to land, markets, educational opportunities and a network of other likeminded individuals.

In this time where so many people are food insecure, I wanted to support an organization that is working directly on this problem. I chose the Food Group because not only are they working to help get food to people who need it, they are doing it with local, healthy food and in the framework of sustainable agriculture. I also love that they operate a farm which provides organic produce to food shelves and teaches others the tools to take up sustainable farming. — Tammy

Sandy Hook Promise

I was driving up Lyndale Ave on my way to work and became alarmed at the number of police and other first responders that were racing south as I was going north. Shortly after I found out there was a school shooting at Annunciation. This was less than a mile from our home. We know many people that are connected to Annunciation. It was horrible, and should never happen. None of this should happen. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. Sandy Hook Promise is doing good work everyday to stop this. Join me in supporting them, and supporting our kids. — Jamie

These four organizations add to the sixteen that we have supported in previous years:

• Constellation Fund
• Free Bikes 4 Kidz
• Appetite for Change
• Feed My Starving Children
• United Help Ukraine
• Agate Housing + Services
• Save the Snakes
• Free Guitars 4 Kids
• Oceanites
• Food Recovery Network
• Heart to Care Tanzania
• American Prairie
• SynGAP Research Fund
• Water to Thrive
• Sprint to Cité Soleil
• World Central Kitchen

Also see 2025 Fall Fundraiser Insights for more details from this year. Additionally see results from 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

My happy place. Now add snow. ❄️🔥

It is cold enough again to fire up the sauna! 🔥

I’ve had a blast learning Clash Royale with Tyler. They just announced a bunch of changes to “the economy” which meant I needed to use my Book of Cards. I decided to “pay to win” and level up my Witch and Cannon to get maximum benefit from the books. Play Clash Royale? Let’s connect.

It is a rare sight for the Northern Lights to be visible in Minneapolis.

Tonight’s MN United v Seattle Sounders playoff match had everything! Without a doubt the most exciting soccer game I’ve ever been to.

• United trailing 2 - 0.
• Tie it up 2 - 2.
• Get player ejected on RED card.
• Go ahead 3 - 2.
• Seattle tie it up 3 - 3.
• Penalty kicks tie at 3 - 3.
• Sudden death penalties go to goalies!
• WIN! WIN! WIN!

An amazing game for the ages!

My buddy Jim and I enjoying Kramarczuk’s sausages at Allianz Field during the Minnesota United v. Seattle Sounders game. The BEST sausages in the Twin Cities.