2009 Local Legends

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast committee is pleased to recognize outstanding community leaders who represent Dr. King’s dream: a testament that a dream is a growing reality.

Fran Heitzman

Fran Heitzman was a maintenance man at a local church 21 years ago when a young couple brought in a used crib they no longer needed. The church could not accept it, so Heitzman called a local social service agency, which quickly passed it to a needy family. That got him thinking that there must be a way to provide struggling families with furniture and household goods. The nonprofit Bridging was born.

In the two decades since, the organization has grown dramatically and touched many lives, serving more than 46,000 families. That’s four semi-trucks a day, $1 million of furniture a month.

Of course, this all doesn’t happen without some heavy lifting. Heitzman, now well into his 80s, continues to be a tireless advocate for the organization, speaking to individuals, corporations and community groups to generate products and cash donations. And then there are the volunteers: more than 7,000 who bring the mission to life.

Download the 2009 Local Legends Press Release
General Information
Date: January 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: MPLS Convention Center Ballroom A
1301 Second Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
Keynote: Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
Price: $30.00 per person

Broadcast Schedule: January 18, live at 8 A.M. on TPT

Six neighborhoods.
Six ways to celebrate.

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