Empower! Lunch
You’re Invited
We’re thrilled to announce that Merrick’s Empower! Lunch will be taking place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Vadnais Heights Commons and will feature Richard Herod III as keynote speaker. All are invited to join us for this free lunch event in which we will highlight why our community is better because of the services provided by Merrick, Inc., and inspire guests to financially support our goal of providing remarkable life enrichment programs.
Keynote Speaker: Richard Herod III
A recognized media personality and former owner of White Bear Mitsubishi, Richard Herod III is a noted community steward, passionate advocate, traumatic brain injury survivor, child of deaf adult (CODA) parents … and driven by the happiness of it all!
As our keynote speaker, Herod will share his journey of recovery after surviving a horrific car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and speak on the topic of “Fractional Happiness.”
Herod was the topic of a recent article by the White Bear Press, which may be viewed here.
Registration
While the event is free to attend, advance registration is required. Individuals planning on attending the lunch must register by Thursday, September 11. Sponsorships are also available for individuals and businesses interested in increasing their impact and their visibility in the community. More information about sponsorship opportunities are available below.
Donations
If you are unable to attend the event, please consider making a donation. Every gift benefits Merrick, Inc., Life Enrichment Services, enriching the lives of adults with disabilities and empowering them to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Contact Us
For additional questions about event registration, sponsorships, or table host responsibilities, please contact Megan Kuneli at megank@merrickinc.org or 651.789.6207.
Event Details
When:
Thursday, September 18, 2025
11:30 am-1:00 pm
Where:
Vadnais Heights Commons
655 E County Rd F, Vadnais Heights, MN
Cost:
Free Registration (donation requested at event)
Schedule:
11:30 am – Check-In & Lunch
12:00-1:00 pm – Program & Keynote Speaker Richard Herod III
Other Ways to Make a Difference
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Become a Table Host
Being a table host is one of the most impactful ways you can influence the success of the Empower! Lunch and support our mission.
As a table host, you will be asked to identify and invite guests to sit at your table set for 8 (including yourself). Guests may include friends, co-workers, family members, neighbors, and people whose business you patronize. Moreover, any individual, couple, company, or group can be a table host.
For more information, contact Megan Kuneli at 651.789.6207 or megank@merrickinc.org
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Sponsor the Event
We have several different sponsorship levels available. A summary of sponsorship levels and their benefits is shown below. To purchase a sponsorship, please use our online registration form.
Levels Benefits $100 Patron program & social media recognition $250 Advocate event webpage recognition $500 Dream event sign recognition $1,000 Goal branded table $2,500 Empower personal profile in Enewsletter $3,000 Lunch signage at each table If you have questions about available sponsorship opportunities, contact Megan Kuneli at 651.789.6207 or megank@merrickinc.org.
