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Hammer > giving back
Inspired by Liz’s Joy

by Jennifer Hipple | Jan 6, 2026 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, nonprofit

Inspired by Liz’s Joy

Long friendship nurtures special connection  By Kate Roehl, Community Member and Hammer & NER Supporter   I never imagined that singing in a church choir would lead to a decades-long partnership with Hammer & NER. About 40 years ago, my husband Jerry and I were raising four young children...

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“Friendsgiving” to Build Meaningful Relationships

by Ginger Venable | Oct 28, 2025 | Blog, Friendsgiving, Give to the Max Day, make a friend

“Friendsgiving” to Build Meaningful Relationships

Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts—and for the people we support, it’s essential. But while friendship itself is free, the moments that make it thrive often come with a cost. A lunch out, a special event, a hobby with friends—these are the experiences that build connection, joy, and...

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Celebrating a Special Friendship

by Jennifer Hipple | Aug 20, 2025 | Blog, Community Partner Awards, Hammer & NER, In Memoriam, make a friend, nonprofit, volunteer

Celebrating a Special Friendship

Befriending Alex Tom Venable is one of those people always looking for ways to give back to the community. It’s one way the high-energy former corporate leader and now passionate entrepreneur and owner of newly launched Sales Macgyver, creates work/life balance for himself. When Tom heard about...

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Old Friends Are Among the Best Friends

by Ginger Venable | Jun 13, 2025 | Blog, Community Partner Awards, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, nonprofit

Old Friends Are Among the Best Friends

Longtime community partnership holds rich tradition If you are fortunate enough to have a friend you have known for 30, 40, 50 years or more, you know what a special gift you have. You have weathered challenges and changes together, celebrated one another’s successes, and learned from each other....

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A Blossoming Partnership

by Cathy Thoma | Jun 12, 2025 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, volunteer

A Blossoming Partnership

Christ Memorial Lutheran Church and Hammer & NER Our official partnership with Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in Plymouth may have started in 2023, but its roots trace back to the 1990s when Kim Mesun first heard of Hammer Residences. At the time, Kim was serving as a Minnesota Assistant...

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Community Life Nurtures a Person-Centered Community

by Lindsey Kvern | Jun 4, 2025 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, nonprofit

Community Life Nurtures a Person-Centered Community

Over time, Hammer & NER’s Community Life activities have truly created a sense of community that keeps growing stronger. These events are designed for everybody: inclusive, welcoming, and all about making sure everyone feels like they belong. People come for all kinds of reasons: to hang out...

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Celebrating a “Gold Standard” Community Partner

by Ginger Venable | Jan 16, 2025 | Blog, Discoveries

Celebrating a “Gold Standard” Community Partner

We are grateful for our many community partners who support us in a variety of ways. They are critical to helping us live our mission. A standout among them is The Lacek Group, which has proven itself to be the gold standard in partnerships. For nearly two years, The Lacek Group, a loyalty, CRM,...

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From Volunteer to Generous Donor to . . . Hawaii?

by David Duxbury | Dec 19, 2024 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, nonprofit, volunteer

From Volunteer to Generous Donor to . . . Hawaii?

In 2009, Martha Gschneidner was preparing to send her youngest son to college. Desiring to give back to her community with her added free time, she sought out volunteer opportunities. This desire to give back would lead to 15 years of volunteerism and generosity with Hammer & NER. Through...

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Coffee & Donuts with Chris

by Jennifer Hipple | Dec 18, 2024 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, nonprofit

Coffee & Donuts with Chris

Novel idea supports Reach for Ralph and strengthens connections   Chris Ringe joined the Hammer & NER family in 2017. He is an active, friendly, outgoing guy with a big heart. His parents, Mitch and Judi Marie, were thrilled when Chris was invited to live at the Lancaster home, where he...

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“Packing Up” Love for Children around the World

by Jennifer Hipple | Dec 12, 2024 | Blog, Hammer & NER, nonprofit

“Packing Up” Love for Children around the World

Each year, Operation Christmas Child volunteers pack shoe-box-sized boxes stuffed with toys, books, treats, and more for children in need around the world. Recently, some of the people we support got to join in the fun through Christ for People, a ministry for people with intellectual...

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Paws of Friendship

by Jennifer Hipple | Oct 23, 2024 | Blog, Hammer & NER, make a friend, nonprofit, volunteer, Volunteer Spotlight

Paws of Friendship

Seventeen Years of Love and Laughter with Lynn Meet Bethany Collins, one of our Hammer & NER volunteers, who has grown a strong friendship with Lynn, who is supported at our Zealand apartments. By Bethany Collins Seventeen years ago, I set out on a journey that would change my life. I had just...

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Cooks in the Kitchen Expands to White Bear Lake

by Barbara Brandt | Jul 23, 2024 | Blog, Discoveries, Hammer & NER, NER, nonprofit, volunteer

Cooks in the Kitchen Expands to White Bear Lake

Calling all volunteers! Get ready to put on your aprons and grab your frying pans because an exciting volunteer opportunity is now also available in the east metro at our White Bear Lake office. If you and your friends enjoy cooking and are passionate about making a positive impact for the...

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