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Maybe you have walked by the store front in downtown Lindstrom.  Maybe you have noticed it while hopefully stopping for pedestrians crossing Highway 8.  The cute looking store with the mint colored front that says Safe Haven. While it may look like a kids’ clothing store it is and it isn’t.  It isn’t a walk in store to purchase clothes for children, but it is a store that provides clothing and essential to children in foster care in Central Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Anita Olson and her husband have always had big hearts.  In fact in the last nine or so years they have taken in over 50 foster children including eight (yes eight) currently which doesn’t include their own children.  As the Olsons took the foster children over the years they noticed the kids needed placement items.  Many times a foster child would arrive at all times of the night and most if not all of those times they would show up with the clothes on their backs.  Anita saw the need and started to collect items in the basement of their Isanti home,  that would help a child transition to a new home.   As you can imagine that didn’t last long as space was limited.  She now credits Mike Haehnel with offering her a beautiful double wide store in downtown Lindstrom at a “wonderful” price.  The Olsons took in a majority of Chisago County kids,  felt Lindstrom would be the perfect location for their store. 

Once Anita had her store established, the call for donors went out.  They answered. She had  a sock company from out east donated a ton of brand new socks, Walmart, Boston Scientific, and a few other corporate sponsors got on board.   

Anita is quick to point out Safe Haven has 13 locations that she stores essential packs for foster children scattered across the metro and western Wisconsin.  These pick-up sites can be accessed by law authorities at any time of the day.  So, with that many pick-up sites, the need for donations is greater now more than ever.  

So what is needed for donations? 

Ages 2 plus: 

•Large backpack or duffel bag

•One (1) Set of Pajamas

•One (1) Outfit

•Socks

•Underwear

•Blanket

•Stuffed Animal

•Toothbrush & Toothpaste

•Shampoo, Conditioner and Body wash

•Hair Brush and/or comb

•Book

Items needed for infants include:

•Diaper bag

•One (1) Outfit

•One (1) Pajama Sleeper

•Onesies

•Socks

•Diapers

•Blanket

•Stuffed Animal

•Baby toothbrush & Toothpaste (Fluoride Free)

•Baby Shampoo, wash & Lotion

•Baby Wipes

•Bottle or Sippy cup

Donations can be dropped off at Safe Haven’s Lindstrom location 12765 Lake Blvd., Lindstrom, MN 55045.  Questions?  Call (763) 742-7799 or visit safe havenfostershoppe.org.

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