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6 Winter 2014-15 Community Feature Lake Elmo resident Susan Kane recognized a need in the commu- nity when her daughter with special needs was struggling with maintain- ing a social life outside of school. In 2010 Kane joined with two other parents of children living with dis- abilities - Tara King of Stillwater, and Sara Hayden of Oak Park Heights – to form the Valley Friendship Club (VFC), which was made possible with start-up funds provided by the CCP Foundation. The organization currently relies on donations, grants and small fundraisers for funding. Valley Friendship Club offers a vari- ety of social and educational events that replicate activities that typical/ non-disabled peers would participate in. They typically host 3 to 4 events each month, with more occurring in summer months. Events that VFC has held in the past include danc- es, art projects, games and movie nights. Last summer the group even put on a theater production. “Seeing the members and friend- ship blossom is the most rewarding part of the Valley Friendship Club,” said co-founder Susan Kane. “The moments that most people would consider ordinary or unexceptional like hanging out with friends, joking, or belonging to a group, are rites of passage that kids with disabilities miss out on. Valley Friendship Club aims to create a space where mem- bers can just be and belong.” Valley Friendship Club has expe- rienced incredible growth since its inception. Kane’s initial goal was to host 20-30 events per year with 100 in attendance. Now, after four years, VFC is averaging 50-60 events with 600-700 in attendance over the year. “The growth has been fast, but it indicates a great need,” said Kane. As an organization that is com- pletely volunteer-run, VFC’s most consistent need is for passionate, kind, and dedicated volunteers. For more information about how to get involved visit www.valleyfriendship- club.org or call 651-491-6486. What’s Next? Valley Friendship Club will be hosting a fundraiser at the Lake Elmo Inn Event Center in Spring. Stay tuned for details. Valley Friendship Club Connects Kids with Disabilities Making friends, having fun at the annual Valley Friendship Club Dance held at Oak-land Jr. High in Lake Elmo. The Lake Elmo Public Library is thrilled to announce that Chuck Logan and Shawn Otto will be coming to the library in January and February respectively. On Thursday, January 15 at 6 pm bestselling author Chuck Logan will be reading from his latest book Fallen Angel and answering questions from readers. Those new to Logan’s work are encouraged to attend a book discussion of Fallen Angel at the Lake Elmo Public Li- brary on Tuesday, January 6 at 6 pm. Chuck Logan is also the author Phil Broker books including Homefront which was made into a major motion picture starring Ja- son Statham, James Franco and Winona Ryder. Those wanting more information on Chuck Logan and his work can find it at www.chucklogan.org. On Thursday, February 19 at 6 pm the Library welcomes Shawn Otto. Shawn Otto is an author, screenwriter and producer whose new book Sins of our Fathers came out in November and was a starred book from Publishers Weekly. Otto, whose wife Rebecca Otto is the Minne- sota State Auditor, wrote the screenplay for the Oscar nominated film House of Sand and Fog. Mr. Otto’s web- site is shawnotto.com. In conjunction with Otto’s visit to the library there will be a discussion of Sins of Our Fa- thers on Tuesday, February 3 at 6 pm and a screening House of Sand and Fog on Thursday, February 12 at 6 pm at the Lake Elmo Public Library. The library is at 3537 Lake Elmo Ave. N. For more infor- mation: www.lakeelmopubliclibrary.org or 651-773-4926. Two High Profile Authors to Visit Lake Elmo Public Library