District 191 Community Education earns award, statewide recognition for annual holiday event

District 191 Community Education is the proud recipient of a 2026 Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) Statewide Project Award for its “Tinsel, Treats & Giving” event.

The award recognizes outstanding projects, whether a one-time event or an ongoing initiative, that exemplify the true spirit of community education and demonstrate exceptional creativity, impact and commitment to its principles.

A partnership between Community Education, the Burnsville Police Department, the City of Burnsville and local businesses and organizations, Tinsel, Treats & Giving is a collaborative event that brings together families from across the community for a free evening of holiday activities and culturally-inclusive experiences. While it gives families an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season, the event also provides essential resources to the community, including food assistance, winter clothing and holiday gifts to families experiencing financial hardship.

Tinsel, Treats & Giving is an event that goes beyond a typical holiday celebration, ensuring every family can experience the joy of the holiday season with dignity. Moreover, it intentionally brings together schools, city departments, public safety personnel, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteers to foster a culture where families from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued and connected.

Eddieca Ontiveros, community engagement specialist, has been instrumental in helping build and sustain the heart of this event.

“Eddieca’s ability to build relationships, bring partners to the table and continually look for ways to make families feel supported has had a lasting impact on Tinsel, Treats & Giving,” said Hamde Daoud, community engagement coordinator. “She has helped create an event that is not simply about receiving gifts, but about creating a sense of belonging and reminding families that their community sees them, values them and wants to celebrate with them.”

“What started as an effort to meet an immediate need for winter gear has now become our most-attended community event of the year, welcoming more than 1,300 people!” added Daoud.

“This recognition from the MCEA is a testament to the incredible power of collaboration,” said Director of Community Education Jason Sellars. “An event of this scale is only possible because of our dedicated local partners, including the Burnsville Police Department, City of Burnsville engagement staff, and local organizations like the Burnsville Lions Club. These organizations step up every year to support the event. Together, we aren't just hosting an event—we are actively investing in the fabric of our community, fostering deep connections, and creating a lasting, positive impact for everyone in our community.” 

The award will be presented to members of the District 191 Community Education team during the 2026 MCEA Fall Conference Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.