Heart Week is a chance for students and staff of MHS to come together to raise money for Family Friends, an organization that assists Minnetonka students and their families by paying for their heating or grocery bill, college application fee, class fees, dental or vision assistance, activity or athletic fees, or coats and clothing.

• $10 provides money for snacks at school for a week
• $25 covers the cost of one field trip
• $50 covers a college application fee
• $75 covers reduced lunch costs for one year
• $100 provides a grocery store gift card

 

Vanco Link

Thursday, Feb. 16
5-7 p.m. in the MHS cafeteria

• Tickets purchased on Vanco or from a Student Government representative: $10/person or $50/family
• Silent auction (bidding opens online Monday, February 13 at 8am and closes Thursday, February 16 at 7pm)
• Dinner catered by Spasso & Crumbl Cookies
• Live music by MHS students
• Face painting and carnival games

Silent Auction Link

Vanco Link

Family Friends is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation which is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 corporation and the State of Minnesota as a tax-exempt organization. It is registered by the Minnesota Attorney General to solicit funds. It charges no fees for services but relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community organizations.

Funding

• Family Friends’ largest source of funds is the Minnetonka High School student government which raises funds through “Heart Week” in February each year.
• More than 100 Mtka School District teachers and other staff designate funds for Family Friends through United Way donor-designated gifts.
• Ridgewood Church supports Family Friends through its missions budget and by providing office space and administrative support.
• Individual donors support Family Friends through direct contributions and United Way donations through employers. 
• Several philanthropic foundations provide grants.
• More than 95% of Family Friends’ funds are used for outreach program and direct financial assistance.

Family Friends Program Activities

Food to Minnetonka High School:
Family Friends partners with Caribou to provide food to Minnetonka High School students who do not have resources for breakfast at home.

Dental Care:
Family Friends sponsors a dental van to at-risk MHS students who are identified, screened and treated including fillings.

Medical Care:
Family Friends assists with obtaining appointments, transportation and arranges medical exams and referrals for at-risk students without access to medical care.  Family Friends also partners with Lions Club to obtain eye exams and glasses for at-risk students.

Good Samaritan Awards:
Family Friends partners with Minnetonka Police to provide rewards to students who go out of their way to help others.

Mentoring:
Family Friends outreach workers are present daily on the high school and middle school campuses to listen to and share with students.  The outreach workers connect with students who need encouragement and support to be successful at home, school and in the community.

Direct Financial Assistance:
Family Friends assists at-risk students and families by paying for clothing, student lunches, class fees, athletic fees, and school activities fees in addition to transportation and housing expenses such as rent and utilities.

Crisis Intervention:
Family Friends is an integral part of Minnetonka High School’s crisis team dealing with student and staff crises

Ongoing support and encouragement:
Family Friends provides intensive and long-term personal support and financial help when there are major family and economic issues.  This often extends beyond the scope of immediate crisis in terms of time and location.

Minnetonka High School summer programs:
Family Friends partners with Cub Foods and Caribou to provide snacks and beverages as well daily encouragement and support to the students (all of whom are behind in graduation requirements).

Community Summer Program:
Family Friends collaborates with community programs in low-income housing projects by providing support and snacks for youth and their families.

Other Partnerships:
Family Friends partners with Timber Bay, Tree House, and Bren Road Alternative School who have joint programs with us in the Ridgewood Church gym.

Vanco Link for General Donation

Heart Week Dress-up Days

• Monday, Feb. 13: Pajama Day
• Tuesday, Feb. 14: Mathletes vs. Athletes Day (Nerds vs. Jerseys)
• Wednesday, Feb. 15: Covid Professional Day (Business on top, Sweats on bottom)
• Thursday, Feb. 16: Adam Sandler Day (Over-sized athletic clothing, sneakers, hats)
• Friday, Feb. 17: HeartWeek Spirit Day (wear HeartWeek gear or red/pink/hearts)

On Sale Feb. 10-16

The following will be available for purchase in the on Vanco. Cash sales will ONLY be available during lunches Monday 2/13 and Thursday 2/16. Merchandise can be picked up during lunches Feb. 13-16 in the MHS commons.

• Long- & short-sleeved tees: $10 each
• White & blue beanies: $15
• Heart Sunglasses: $5

Vanco Link

Trivia Night

• Monday, Feb. 13, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
• Original Pancake House at 101 & 7
• $30/team of 5 or fewer
• Maximum of 35 teams

Vanco Link

Musical Telegrams

• Thursday 2/16 hours 1-6
• Students send other students a “telegram” of student groups performing short songs in front of the class. 
• These can be purchased for $7 throughout the week and are delivered on the 16th.
• Student groups will audition with the choir, orchestra, and band teachers prior to HeartWeek.

Vanco Link

Crush Cans & Roses:

• Thursday 2/16 hour 6
• Students send other students a can of Crush soda and a rose.
• These can be purchased for $5 throughout the week and are delivered during 6th hour on the 16th.

Vanco Link

Family Friends Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction: 

• Thursday, Feb. 16, 5-7 p.m.
• MHS cafeteria
• $10/person or $50/family
• Silent auction (bidding opens online Monday, February 13 at 8am and closes Thursday, February 16 at 7pm)
• Dinner catered by Spasso & Crumbl Cookies
• Live music by MHS students
• Face painting and carnival games for the kids (bring your family!)

Vanco Link

Silent Auction Link

HeartWeek’s Friday Fun Fest: Donate to Participate

• Friday, Feb. 17
• $5/person for all activities and $7/person for Tonka’s Got Talent
• Assistance available from counselors for students needing a scholarship

Freshmen and sophomore activities are taking place hours 4, 5, & 6 and junior and senior activities hours 1, 2, & 3. (Students are expected to be in class when not participating in the Friday Fest activities.) Tonka’s Got Talent will be held during the upperclassmen activity hours and will not be broadcast on the school TVs.

• Activities for freshmen and sophomores:
• Broomball in Pagel (teams of 7 in Pagel 1)
• Basketball in West Gym (teams of 4 in the West Gym)
• Dodgeball in Back Gym (teams of 8 in the Back Gym)
• Touch football in Dome (teams of 6 in the Dome)
• Ultimate Frisbee in Dome (teams of 6 in the Dome)
• Concert in Arts Center (MHS/coffee house bands)
• Movie in Forum
• Board Games in Black Box

Activities for juniors and seniors:

• Tonka’s Got Talent in Arts Center
• Movie in Forum
• Dodgeball in Back Gym
• Basketball in West Gym

Daily Schedule – Early Release:

• First Hour: 8-8:40 a.m.
• Second Hour: 846-9:22 a.m.
• Third Hour: 9:28-10:04 a.m.
• Fourth Hour: 10:10-10:46 a.m.
• Fifth Hour: 10:52-11:28 a.m.
• Sixth Hour: 11:34-12:10 p.m.
• Lunch for all students: 12:10-12:40 p.m.

Vanco Link

Sweethearts Dance

• Saturday, Feb. 18, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
• $15/person
• Tickets on sale on Vanco - students must show electronic ticket/receipt for entry
• Semi-formal dance in the MHS Commons
• Current 9-12 grade students only
• Non-MHS students must be accompanied by an MHS student and fill out the required guest forms
• Assistance available from counselors for students needing a scholarship
• No limos, party buses, or RV’s allowed on campus
• No food, drinks, or bags larger than a small purse allowed into the dance

Guest Form for
MHS Student Completion

Guest Form for non-MHS
Student Administrator Completion

Vanco Link