Catholic Charities’ Warming House to celebrate the holidays, community impact

The expansive parking lot just north of Mall of America in Bloomington will soon be transformed into a festive holiday experience highlighting Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The Catholic Charities Warming House, set for 4-8 p.m. Dec. 10-11 will feature s’mores, hot drinks, winter crafts and activities, train rides, a petting zoo and more, all while focusing on the impact of Catholic Charities on the people it serves and the broader community.

“Catholic Charities had hosted our St. Nicholas Dinner each December, which brought together members from all parts of our community — business, nonprofit, government, volunteers, advocates, donors — to learn more about the work of our organization,” said Hayley Mueller, 33, the nonprofit organization’s vice president of development.

“Even pre-COVID, we had been thinking about our strategy, and then last year, of course, there was no in-person St. Nicholas Dinner,” Mueller said.

“We really wanted to explore doing an event — free, inclusive and open to the public — that brings people in to celebrate the holidays, but also introduces Catholic Charities,” she said. “A lot of people know our name, but not what we do. We can often be mysterious in some ways.”

Catholic Charities provides housing, emergency shelter and direct services for more than 23,000 men, women, children and families, focused on achieving and maintaining housing stability for those most in need — a vision and mission grounded in Catholic social teaching.

Direct services include a daytime Opportunity Center in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul for adults seeking meals, health care, hygiene and other services; youth programs such as the Northside Child Development Center in Minneapolis; and aging and disability services.

“I don’t think people really know or appreciate what a big impact Catholic Charities has in our local area,” said John Van Wyck, 39, managing director and partner, Boston Consulting Group, who serves on Catholic Charities’ board.

“The Warming House provides a great opportunity for people to be able to engage with Catholic Charities in a fun, festive way and learn a little about the organization and the amazing work it does,” Van Wyck said.

Van Wyck, a parishioner of St. Hubert in Chanhassen, looks forward to attending the event with his wife and three children.

“My kids will love the train, all the Christmas trees and of course, the animals,” Van Wyck said. “I think it’s the perfect way to kick off this holiday season.”

A free, outdoor event presented by Luther Automotive, the Warming House will take place within a perimeter of 200 lighted Christmas trees. Activities will include face painting, visiting with reindeer and llamas, a coloring activity, performing choirs, photo opportunities and s’more making, as well as some speed volunteering opportunities.

“Inside the heated tent, families can help assemble the sock and roll, our annual Christmas gift for our clients — socks, handwarmers and Chapstick — as well as the very practical laundry packets,” Mueller said.

“We’ll have signage up about Catholic Charities and also project facts onto the tent’s exterior,” she said. “We’ll feel successful if attendees walk away with one or two facts about our impact in the community and who we serve.”

The event will also incorporate the Giving Tree, a Catholic Charities tradition for the past 30 years at the Mall of America, located just outside the mall entrance to Macy’s.

“Last year during the pandemic, we did the Giving Tree as a drive-through event, and this year the tradition continues at the Warming House Giving Tree station, ensuring that children and adults have access to essential items as they receive supportive services from Catholic Charities,” Mueller said.

“The most significant items needed include new, unused and unwrapped adult underwear, men’s winter jackets, adult winter boots and waterproof mittens and gloves, in all sizes, plus larger-sized adult hooded sweatshirts,” she said.

Mueller noted that parking for the Warming House is plentiful on the north surface lot, next to Ikea, with the outdoor event offering a free and safe opportunity to celebrate the holidays.

“You could come for the entire four hours, for one hour, or just stop in to drop off your Giving Tree items,” Mueller said. “We would love to see this as a new holiday tradition.”

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Catholic Charities Warming House

For more information on the Warming House experience, including the $50 All-Access Package which includes two, two-piece s’more kits from North Mallow, two free admissions to the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America, a commemorative Warming House hanging ornament and access to reserved parking, go to cctwincities.org/our-organization/events/warming-house.

Giving Tree

For a full list of items needed this holiday season, go to cctwincities.org/givingtree.

Volunteer Opportunity

Catholic Charities needs volunteers for the Warming House event for setup, takedown, greeting guests and helping with activities. “This is a great opportunity for parish youth groups and men’s groups to volunteer for a two- or three-hour shift,” said Hayley Mueller, vice president of development for Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. To volunteer, go to ccwarminghouse2021.cctwincities.volunteerhub.com.