Lisa Horn has been named the new chief executive of Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), a nonprofit that provides a range of services to low-income families and individuals in Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and south Minneapolis. Horn was previously executive director of the Open Door, a hunger relief organization with locations in Eagan and Lakeville. She replaces Susan Russell Freeman, who retired this year after heading VEAP for nearly 40 years. Horn will meet donors and volunteers at VEAP's Gala on Oct. 30. Tickets to that event are still available. For information on the gala and all VEAP's programs, visit www.veap.org. VEAP operates the largest food shelf in Minnesota, serving approximately 10,000 individuals every month, and delivers its programs with the support of over 1,900 volunteers.
EXCELSIOR
Joint community meeting is Oct. 22
The City of Excelsior, the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce and the Community for The Commons board members will host a joint open house Oct. 22 at the old library space.
The meeting, which will be 5-7 p.m. next to City Hall, will discuss topics from parking solutions to the Commons and a general sales tax. For more details, go to excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com.
LONG LAKE
Museum approves a name change
The Western Hennepin County Pioneer Association has a new name for its museum, changing it to the West Hennepin History Center.
The museum, one of Hennepin County's oldest historical organizations, decided the new name better reflected its scope and mission. The museum was founded in 1907 to preserve history of the area before Minnesota became a state in 1858 and includes a nearly 1,000-year-old dugout canoe, the oldest watercraft in Minnesota.
The museum is open to the public for free from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays at 1953 West Wayzata Blvd. For more information, go to whcpa-museum.org or call 952-473-6557.
Used items sought for Bridging
Help less fortunate families by bringing clean and gently used furniture and household items to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2060 County Road 6, Long Lake, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24. Church volunteers hope to unload enough donations to fill a semitrailer truck or two for Bridging.
Bridging is a local nonprofit furniture bank where families finding their way out of homelessness can shop for household needs. Linens, small appliances, mirrors, artwork and tools are in high demand. "We love to help the Bridging organization, because the need is real," said Jill Cornell, director of Shared Ministries at Trinity. "Families who qualify are transitioning from homelessness, and it's a great feeling to collect household items they would be proud to use in their household."
