New Hope Residents Recognized as the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association’s Volunteers of the Year

Posted on 10/05/2023

New Hope residents Mike and Allison Isenberg were named the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association’s (MNCPA) 2023 Volunteers of the Year at the organization’s annual conference on Oct. 2 in Brainerd, Minnesota.

New Hope Crime Prevention Officer Brad Kallio nominated the Isenbergs for their significant contributions to the community. Since 2007, the Isenbergs have hosted their annual Toy Fest event. Attendees are welcomed into the Isenberg’s home to enjoy food, beverages, and socializing in exchange for donations of toys, cash, or gift cards. In 2022, the event collected donations of more than 500 toys and $4,000 in cash and gift cards, which were divided between the NEAR food shelf and the New Hope Police Department’s Blue Santa event. The donation helped the police department host more than 20 New Hope families at the Blue Santa event, providing holiday wish list items to more than 50 children.

In addition to Toy Fest, the Isenbergs are frequent volunteers at the department’s community events. Allison is also a New Hope Human Rights Commissioner, while Mike is a New Hope City Council Member.

Mike Isenberg accepted the award on behalf of the couple. Also on hand were New Hope Police Chief Tim Hoyt and Officer Kallio.

The MNCPA is a statewide non-profit organization of citizens, law enforcement officers, and crime prevention practitioners who work together to promote, develop, and advance crime prevention programs.

More information about the organization is available at https://www.mncrimeprevention.com/.