Valleyfair’s 2023 charitable impact was significant in bringing the BEST DAY EVER to those who need it most in and around the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and the Midwest. We believe that together with our associates, we can make a difference.

Valleyfair Cares’ giving priorities were devised by an internal committee made up of associate volunteers from each department. Together, they defined our giving priorities as the following:

• Children/Families in Need 
• Shakopee/Scott County Community 
• Students/Education 
• Environment 
• Our Heroes
• Causes our Associates Believe In

Read on below to enjoy highlights of our keystone initiatives. 

Ticket Donation Programs

Valleyfair donated a record 3,416 free tickets to organizations that serve those within our giving priorities. We worked with partners such as Tickets for Kids, Give Kids the World Village, A Kid Again, and others as well as through causes that our associates care about. 436 nonprofits were supported with ticket donations that serve their communities needs.

In a struggling economy, having opportunities like these is awesome and gives families opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. The children and two of the adults in attendance had never been to a theme park such as this before, and it was inspiring to see their reactions to all of the new things they were able to experience. -Tickets for Kids partner organization

Events

Valleyfair hosted two large scale events for partner organizations that are committed to children and families in need.

For a third year, we hosted families served by A Kid Again for a Rides and Slides Adventure. A Kid Again’s purpose is to foster hope, happiness, and healing for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. We welcomed 800 guests to a free day in the park that included a catered lunch, all day drink wrist bands, a Meet and Greet with the PEANUTS, and a Refresh and Relax Zone.

Valleyfair also has a long history of charitable work supporting The Thielen Foundation. This year, we hosted 300 youth served by their foundation for a day of fun and a catered lunch at the park. Additionally, we donated tickets and meals for five Pathway of Hope families served through their partnership with the Salvation Army.

Volunteerism

Valleyfair’s associates are a big-hearted giving community and together we made a difference. This year, we entered into a new two-year commitment with Adopt-a-Highway to clean up a portion of Highway 169 in Shakopee at least twice per year.

We also rolled up our sleeves and volunteered twice to pack food at Feed my Starving Children, serving children globally by ensuring they have adequate access to nutritious food.

Over the holidays, our staff adopted multiple families for the gift giving program through the Scott, Carver, Dakota CAP Agency.

Education

Education is a top priority for us and we have a long history of working with Shakopee Schools to help serve students’ educational needs. We continued our work with the CAPS Program (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) which offers intern-level experiences for seniors with our various departments.

We also entered a three-year commitment to serve as the Freshman Academy Champion for Shakopee High School. All ninth grade students discover their own unique interests, then choose a home academy for their sophomore through senior year. The Freshman Academy provides additional time to explore courses offered by the six academies. This deep relationship with the school and students adds a new level to our commitment to Shakopee’s students.

For many years, Valleyfair has awarded scholarships to associates in support of their educational goals beyond the park. This year, we awarded Robert L. Munger Jr. Scholarships of $2,000 each to four associates. 

To learn more about Valleyfair Cares, or to find out how you can get involved, visit our Community page!