AFDV Events
2023
6th AFDV Donation Drive is happening NOW.
Last year we collected over $3,000 in donations and items. Can we match it this year? Please help us try!
The proceeds and donated items will go to the following organizations in memory of Nikki. The drive runs Aug 1-15, 2023. ★ The Winona County Foster Care ★ The Rochester Paws and Claws Humane Society.
Your generous donation today will honor her memory and support this cause that was dear to her, ensuring her spirit lives on through positive impact.
❤ Join us in celebrating Nikki's life and making a difference together.
Learn more about Nikki here.
Help us keep Nikki’s spirit alive
It’s been 6 years since Nikki, a former Lewiston (and Minneapolis) resident, passed away from cancer. She would be 40 years old this year.
We imagine she would have a busy life - a house full of foster/adopted children, several rescue dogs running around in the backyard, and a volunteer schedule to stay connected to the community. In Nikki’s absence, we have A F D V:
ADOPT… if you can’t adopt then
FOSTER… if you can’t foster then
DONATE… if you can’t donate then
VOLUNTEER ♥
A F D V is our way to give to the community what Nikki would be doing today if she was still with us. Help us in supporting Nikki’s passions by donating today!
Nikki’s adopted dog
Evie appreciates your donation
Nikki adopted Evie in 2016, and now lives with Susan and Dale (Nikki’s parents). ❤
📣 How to Participate?
Click here to donate through our Facebook fundraiser
Or donate by shipping or dropping your items locally [Sommers, 22470 Rolling Hills Road, Lewiston, MN 55952]
Requested items include, but not limited to…
School supplies
Backpacks & lunch boxes
Pencils, crayons, and notebooks
Etc.
Clothes (new or gently used)
All clothes are accepted
Current needs are for 5+ yrs old
Toys
Diapers
Blankets
Leashes & collars
Paper & cotton towels
2022
The 5th Annual AFDV Fun Run/Walk and Donation Drive is on in 2022!
In memory of Nikki, a Minneapolis resident who passed away in 2017 from cancer, we invite you to walk around Lake Bde Maka Ska in this dog friendly 5k!
The 5k race proceeds and donated items will go to these organizations in memory of Nikki Sommers.
★ The Winona County Foster Care
★ The Rochester Paws and Claws Humane Society.
Donations are accepted in person and online- see below, and THANK YOU for your support!
Donate online
Donate with an Amazon purchase AFDV 2022 Donations
Donate by shipping or dropping your items locally
Sommers, 22470 Rolling Hills Road, Lewiston, MN 55952
In-person at Hardware Hank in Lewiston, MN (Jul 29-Aug 8) or at the 5k
Donate by joining the 5k
Requested items include, but not limited to…
School supplies
Backpacks & lunch boxes
Pencils, crayons, and notebooks
Etc.
Clothes (new or gently used)
All clothes are accepted
Current needs are for 5+ yrs old
Toys
Diapers
Blankets
Leashes & collars
Paper & cotton towels
Saturday, August 6, 2022
Meet at 9:30 (Start at 10:00)
Lake Bde Maka Ska
3698 W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN
(SW side of the lake)
Note: This is the same meeting spot as the last fun run/walk starting line
Thank to you to everyone who donated in 2021! The donation drive for vulnerable animals and children was a huge success!
2021
DONATION DRIVE:
JULY 30 - AUGUST 9, 2021
Donate items at Lewiston Hardware Hank
Drop off or mail to The Sommers at 22470 Rolling Hills Rd, Lewiston, MN 55952 (Checks payable to AFDV)
Donate online (Click button below)
100% of your donation (less 3% service fee for online donations due to the website service charge) will be split between:
Foster Care of Winona County and Paws
Claws Humane Society of Rochester.
Requested items include, but not limited to…
School supplies
Backpacks & lunch boxes
Pencils, crayons, and notebooks
Etc.
Clothes (new or gently used)
All clothes are accepted
Current needs are for 5+ yrs old
Toys
Diapers
Blankets
Leashes & collars
Paper & cotton towels
Help us keep Nikki’s spirit alive
It’s been 4 years since Nikki, a former Lewiston (and Minneapolis) resident, passed away from cancer. She would be 38 years old this year.
We imagine she would have a busy life - a house full of foster/adopted children, several rescue dogs running around in the backyard, and a volunteer schedule to stay connected to the community. In Nikki’s absence, we have A F D V:
ADOPT… if you can’t adopt then
FOSTER… if you can’t foster then
DONATE… if you can’t donate then
VOLUNTEER ♥
A F D V is our way to give to the community what Nikki would be doing today if she was still with us. Help us in supporting Nikki’s passions by donating today!
2020
Due to the challenges we faced in 2020, the third annual AFDV 5k was a different kind of event. We were not able to gather family, friends, and community members around Bde Maka Ska Lake in Minneapolis. Instead, we collected donations (items and monetary) and asked that you took a moment to enjoy your family, children, or pets in your life in memory of Nikki.
The post from 2021
Take a moment on August 4th to enjoy the family, children, or pets in your life
We organize this 5k run/walk (cancelled this year) in memory of Nikki, who was a dogged advocate for the vulnerable children and pets in our community.
Let’s honor her passions and be thankful for who and what we have in our lives.
Send a picture of that special moment with your loved one(s) to share on our website - you can also tag us on Instagram or Facebook.
Consider donating to AFDV
Despite not being able to gather in-person, AFDV would still like to donate to Nikki’s passions this year. The beneficiaries of this year’s donations: Foster Care of Winona County and Paws & Claws Humane Society of Rochester.
You can donate items at Hardware Hank of Lewiston or Sommers Family residence between July 4 - August 4, 2020, including:
New or gently used children items (eg. clothing, toys, new school supplies, diapers)
Pet supplies (eg. bag/cans of food, kennels, leashes, collars)
Donations (online by clicking button below or mailing to Sommers Family) which will be divided between the beneficiaries - checks can be written to “AFDV Donation”
Special thanks to:
Click here to see more 2020 pictures and activity
Our beneficiaries of 2020:
Adoption & Foster Care, Winona, MN
Your donation (less 3% service charge for use of card) were fully split between the beneficiaries:
Foster Care of Winona County and Paws
Claws Humane Society of Rochester.
AFDV appreciates your donation.
2019
AFDV 5k was an even bigger event in 2019!
During this second annual event we organized a 5k run/walk around Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) to collect donations for the Foster Care of Hennepin County and Paws & Claws Humane Society of Rochester. We collected funds through the 5k registration, t-shirt sales, and donations. Together, we raised $2,180 for the children and animals in our community.
It was a hot and humid day in Minneapolis - but that didn’t stop us! Thank you to everyone who came out! Friends, family, and others from the community joined together to walk around Lake Calhoun to raise money for a good cause - Nikki would be proud!
2018
Family and friends joined together for the first annual AFDV 5k in memory of Nikki.
The beneficiary of this event was a local foster care closet (which has since, unfortunately, had to close).
We collected several items, include over 2,000 diapers during this event - which is a huge help to the foster families in our community!
What is a foster care closet? A FC Closet is a generous person/organization that collects donated items and provides free-of-charge to foster families. This kind act offsets the cost of new clothing and other necessities. Many of them offer used clothing, toys, furniture and baby accessories.
Your donation (less 3% service charge from this site) will be split between this year's beneficiaries: Foster Care of Winona County and Paws & Claws Humane Society of Rochester. We THANK YOU for your donation!