Kare11
Be The Change MN transforms MOA into a Winter Wonderland
This community initiative brings joy, unity, and memorable experiences for more than 800 children and families.
MINNEAPOLIS — What if you could gift wonder for a day, free from responsibilities and tough circumstances? That’s the goal of Be The Change MN, an organization aiming to bring kids, families and communities together.
John Baker, the founder of Be The Change MN is from north Minneapolis. Baker’s hope for Be The Change MN is to connect the community, sponsors and families through curated experiences that foster joy, authentic connections and opportunities.
“I just know there’s a need there to help kids,” Baker emphasized.
With the help of Mall of America, The Minneapolis Foundation and the Pohlad Foundation, Be The Change took over Nickelodeon Universe and provided a free day at their Winter Wonderland.
More than 800 students from Bethune Arts, Hall STEM, and Nellie Stone Johnson, pre-K through 5th grade, and families from north Minneapolis enjoyed unlimited music, dancing, food and games.
Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School Principal Kelly Wright said it is key to provide students and their families with experiences like Winter Wonderland. “Often, we don’t hear about the good things that happen in north Minneapolis and at our schools,” Wright said.
Toys For Tots Twin Cities donated hundreds of toys to help students have a happier holiday.
“These Marines are incredible. I mean, the time they dedicated. It’s just I just can’t thank them enough. They came in and they brought over 800 toys to these kids, you know, and they got a chance to see the Marines in action really helping and supporting the community,” Baker said.
Student Ambassadors from area private schools helped plan the Winter Wonderland.
“These kids have been amazing. I mean, they’ve done clothing drives, they’ve organized volunteers. They’ve talked in front of their student body about how important it is to volunteer and to work with underserved youth,” Baker said.”They got a chance to really see north Minneapolis…that these kids are the same as you and they’d love the same things.”
Kristian Baker, a Be The Change Junior ambassador, said working beside his classmates to give back is teaching him life lessons.
“Leading with Be The Change has been really nice because I get to lead younger kids, but also my peers,” Kristian said. “Getting a new toy and feeling the rush when you get something that you really wanted is just so amazing. So giving that feeling to these kids is just so important to me.”
Principal Wright said efforts like Winter Wonderland are a reminder of how important creating a village of support is. “Our scholars will never forget Winter Wonderland,” she beamed.
John Baker emphasized the positive impact such events have in dispelling misconceptions about North Minneapolis. “No one ever really talks about the good things,” he said, highlighting the appreciation the kids showed for the event.
If you’re interested in donating, you can drop off a new, unwrapped toy at KARE 11’s studios through Dec. 13.
KARE 11 is located at the corner of Olson Memorial Highway and General Mills Boulevard in Golden Valley.
The tent is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
