Maple Street block party raises funds for charity

The neighbors on Maple Street in Itasca do what they can to help each other out. When a new neighbor arrives, they try to bring them into the mix. Two years ago, Rae Bolstad was diagnosed with breast cancer. In response, neighbors took turns bringing her dinner for two weeks while the 44-year resident of the neighborhood recovered.

Block parties during the summer promote this relationship. About four years ago, two residents wanted to push that friendship to the winter.

As a result, they started Merry Maple Street, a chilly start to the winter complete with hot chocolate, a bonfire and marshmallows. After three years of holding the event simply for residents to hang out, the group decided this year to contribute to charity.

Fifteen families paid for 6-foot Colorado spruce trees to be planted in their yard for the holidays. The money goes toward Brittany's Trees, an organization that raises money for victims of Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome and research into the disease.

Anita DeValk, one of the event's planners, said the story of Brittany, whose death resulted in Brittany's Trees' creation, inspired them to give back.

“You always hope that if, God forbid, a tragedy were to strike, the neighbors would rally around each other,” she said.

After Thanksgiving, DeValk received information about the group and she and Olga Cruickshank thought it would be a good thing to do for the holidays.

Cruickshank said the event helps keep a sense of neighborhood going through the winter. She said turning it into a fundraiser for Brittany's Trees was a simple choice.

“How can you not want to be a part of it,” she said.