The 2023 FNVW Holiday Fair was a great success! All the guests who entered into the space swooned at the delicious aromas coming from the Friendly Cafe, reveled at the festive music, and were dazzled at the vibrantly colored crafts and quilts displayed around the room. What a display for the senses!

It’s time for a BIG THANK YOU! The Fair could not have happened without the tremendous efforts of the Holiday Fair Planning Committee. A special thank you to Cindy Robinson, the team Clerk who kept it all moving forward with calm and grace; the temporarily-silent Brenda Grove, who organized vendors and managed her cashier responsibilities with precision and sign language; and to Brucie Hawkins, Caron Moore and Sue Fust who worked tirelessly over the last few months gathering crafts, business donations, a zillion used books and more. Also ; MaryEllen Shaw who coordinated donations of Quaker Treasures; MaryEllen Shaw who coordinated donations of Quaker Treasures​​​​​​​; MaryEllen Shaw who coordinated donations of Quaker Treasures​​​​​​​ for coordinating donations of Quaker Treasures; and Jimbo Lovestar for promoting the Holiday Fair in the community.

We offer our gratitude to Mary Hinz for the many gorgeous quilts she handmade for us, and to trombone player Tom Wells who literally did the heavy lifting - and packing - and transporting, as well as arranging all of the beautiful holiday music that our talented local musicians presented. And let’s not forget Rae Cornelius who managed the festival floor with skill and good humor and Lisa Buhta who created a mobile kitchen and enlisted multiple generations of her family to provide what many guests said were, “the best meal they had all year!” 

The volunteers are too numerous to mention, but to every person who worked as a cashier, craft manager, greeter, decorator, or helped with set up and clean-up, we thank you!

We are so grateful to Friends School of Minnesota who donated their space and helped us in so many ways behind the scenes.  Our appreciation goes out to the children who sang and performed music on Friday afternoon and for the support of their teachers who made these delightful performances possible.   

The annual Holiday Fair demonstrates the power of the Minnesota Friends community and our many volunteers who support Friends for a NonViolent World and our programs. As FNVW continues to expand our nonviolence work, this kind of devoted support is more important than it has ever been. 

With warmth and thanks, I offer you all a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season.  I am looking forward to all the amazing things we are going to do together in 2023.

Joan Hyman

Items are still available for sale – make us an offer!

Cowles Center - one voucher for 2 tickets to a performance. ($70 value)

Rick Bronson's House of Comedy - tickets for 8. ($260 value) 

Autographed Photo of Timberwolves Basketball Player Rudy Gobert

Email leah@fnvw.org if you'd like to make a purchase!

Upcoming AVP Community Workshops

Inspired by George Lakey? Consider donating to support the creation of his documentary

November-December Issue of AVP Inside Out

There is a dire need for FNVW's violence prevention programs.

• The number one cause of death among children in Minnesota is firearms.
• In 2021 and 2022, suicides rates in Minnesota increased to the highest level ever recorded.
• In 2022, hate crimes in Minnesota increased to 238 incidents motivated by bias.
• The list goes on.

FNVW's programs offer alternatives to violence and injustice. That is why we are courageously expanding our work to a larger scale than anything we've done before. This requires both an increased investment of time and energy as well as an increased investment of money.

FNVW needs to raise $55,000 by December 31st to cover our 2023 expenses. This is a tremendous amount of money for a small organization like FNVW. We can do it with your help.

Now is the time to invest in youth. Now is the time to advocate for nonviolent solutions.
Please help FNVW meet the challenges of this pivotal moment in history.

Upcoming Events

• December AVP In-Person Advanced Workshop: December 8th, 9th and 10th
• January AVP In-Person T4F Workshop: January 5th, 6th and 7th

FNVW works to promote and create peace and justice in our community by using the principles and practices of nonviolence to transform conflict and to address the root causes of violence. Your financial support will help us move our mission forward into the future!