Wingspan Life Resources

02/19/2026

Last Friday was our annual gala story filming day at our Plato office. Thank you to our friends Matt and Jill Reed of Thirty Story, pictured here with Executive Director Deena Peterson, and to the Reinhardt family for spending the day with us. We hope to see you on May 13th for our Power of Love Gala at the Metropolitan Ballroom!

02/18/2026

Does this week's weather have you daydreaming of spring days in the garden? 🌷☀️

You can never dream too early with Wingspan! Purchase this season's flowers and vegetables online through Gertens Fundraising! Just visit www.gertensfundraising.com and enter code 780 to access Wingspan's fundraising site. The site will close on Thursday, April 2nd.

Wingspan will receive 30% of all plant sales and 15% of all plant card sales, with all proceeds going toward repairs and accessibility needs at our 35 group homes, as well as yard beautification efforts; supplying the gloves, tools, mulch and flowers that allow volunteers to make our clients' dreams of a beautiful spring come true too! Plan your garden while fundraising with Gertens and Wingspan today!

02/14/2026

Today we’re celebrating all the ways love shows up in our community — in friendships, shared laughs, kind gestures, creative moments, and the everyday support we give one another.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Wingspan Life Resources! We wish everyone a day filled with connection, warmth, and a little extra sweetness.

“Where there is love there is life.” — Mahatma Gandhi

02/10/2026

Clients and staff had a blast creating handmade cards for friends, staff, and loved ones, all while jamming to classic 80s love hits and catching up with one another. There’s just something about music, crafts, and good company that makes the morning special! Everyone also stopped for a few photos with our groovy bus before heading out. It wouldn’t be a Wingspan gathering without a little extra flair.

A big thank-you to UMB Bank for making this heart-filled activity possible!

02/05/2026

Creativity met purpose at our recent Art & Advocacy Night, where clients and staff came together to design buttons, create signs, and explore how art can help share their voices. The evening began with our Marketing & Community Engagement Specialist, Keller, who talked with clients about what advocacy means, why it matters, and how they can get involved in Disability Services Day at the Capitol. It was a great conversation about speaking up, being heard, and making a difference in our community. Thank you, Keller!

From there, everyone worked on button designs to be submitted to ARRM’s Button Contest for Disability Services Day at the Capitol which will take place on March 24. Events like Disability Services Day at the Capitol give people the opportunity to meet with legislators, share their stories, and advocate for strong disability services across Minnesota, and it was great to see our artists preparing to take part in their own unique way.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made the night so meaningful. Art continues to be a powerful tool for expression, connection, and advocacy at Wingspan!

01/30/2026

Thank you to the Women's Environmental Network for not only giving Wingspan an opportunity to speak to the group after some rejuvenating yoga, but for providing breakfast, coffee, and a space for gourd painting! Our volunteer painters displayed such incredible creativity, and their birdhouses will be auctioned to raise funds for arts and music programming for youth and adults impacted by disabilities

01/14/2026

Maureen Merrill

Maureen was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 22, 1951 to parents Clyde F. Cullen and Peg (Reagan) Cullen. She passed away on January 12, 2026.

Maureen grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Regina High School in 1969. She attended the University of Minnesota graduating with a degree in journalism.

Maureen was always generous with her time, her talents and the love she gave to so many people. Her life was one of service to others and she often was a caregiver for family members, friends, and at her job at Wingspan Life Resources.

Maureen began working at Wingspan (then called St. Ann's) in 1974, serving adults with disabilities. She worked there until 2021. After retiring, she continued to work on call, and to offer craft classes until recently.

In 1999 Maureen married the love of her life, Frank Merrill. Maureen and Frank worked together for many years. They loved spending time with family and travelling to Florida regularly. Since retirement they traveled internationally to France, Ireland, Greece, Italy and Norway. Although she valued the experiences and memories from each of their trips Maureen also loved being at home.

Maureen loved music, art, writing, crafts, decorating, and above all, babies. She also loved finding the perfect gift for someone and wrapping it beautifully.

When she was diagnosed in late October with leukemia and a brain virus she faced this with calmness, faith and gratitude for the life she had shared with Frank.

Maureen will be remembered for her humor and the countless funny stories featuring her, and especially for the unconditional acceptance and love she gave to others.

Maureen is survived by her husband, Frank; her sister Peggy (Jim) Malchow, sister in laws Sarah White, and Mary (Mike) Schueppert, and brother in law Peter (Amy) Merrill and is loved by numerous nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces.

Her funeral is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 4030 Pilot Knobb Road, Eagan MN with visitation at 9am and service to follow at 10am.

Memorials preferred to Wingspan Life Resources, 30 East Plato Blvd, St. MN 55107 or online at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Wingspan-Life-Resources

01/13/2026

We're excited to partner with the Women's Environmental Network for their Yoga & Coffee event! On January 24th at 9:00am, WEN will host a peaceful and rejuvenating morning yoga session, with an opportunity for participants to express their creativity by painting a gourd birdhouse for Wingspan's gala and silent auction!

For more details on the Women's Environmental Network, or to register for the event, visit: https://www.wenmn.org/events/wen-rooted-in-restoration-ywxcy-3sylf-3n9zt

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Wingspan Life Resources! May the year ahead be filled with love, laughter, warmth, and moments that make your heart smile. Here’s to new beginnings and shared joy.

12/30/2025

It was a Christmas morning full of excitement and gratitude at Wingspan! Our clients opened gifts from families, friends, staff, and community partners like Gifts for Seniors - Twin Cities. This wonderful time of year is always a reminder of how a gift, no matter how small or what shape it takes, can make someone smile and fill our hearts with joy ❤️🎄

12/25/2025