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1645 Marthaler Lane, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Celebrating 50 Years of Growth
Celebrating 50 Years of Growth
From the Beginning
Happy birthday to DARTS! This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of creating connections that enrich aging. What an incredible journey it has been!
Over the past five decades, DARTS has evolved significantly, responding to the unique needs and priorities of different generations. DARTS has seen much change in community needs, client preferences, staffing, and society. Our logo has changed along with us, reflecting our growth and adaptation to new and diverse community needs.
In 1974, our founder Dick Graham heard about local seniors who wanted to attend free classes at Inver Hills Community College. Dick is known for being a creative thinker, community connector, and a doer. This situation was no different! He procured two airport limos and started giving rides. During those rides, we learned of other community needs, and DARTS grew from there.
Our Journey Through the Decades
Transportation is still one of our core services, and people know us by our buses. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Oh yeah, DARTS! You’re the bus people, right?” To which we answer – Yes! And we are so much more than a bus. We also offer caregiving support, indoor and outdoor chore assistance, home repairs, service navigation, and even technology support.
Folks are often surprised when they hear the laundry list of everything we do! Many lament that they wish they had heard of DARTS when they were caregiving for their parent/grandparent/spouse. Our goal is to make sure everyone who needs us knows about us.
The other question we hear a lot is “What does DARTS stand for?” The original name was Dakota Area Referrals and Transportation Services. (Doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue, does it?) Over time, it was shortened to the acronym DARTS. And as our service area expanded beyond the borders of Dakota County, we adopted DARTS as our official organization name.
With 50 years comes the opportunity to examine who we are and where we’re going. It’s also a chance to address any pain points. We want to easily share who we are, what we do, and how we can help. Another name change wasn’t in the cards, so we sought out branding expertise from our community partners to help reinvent our look in a way that will carry us into the next 50 years.
Celebrating 50 Years with a Fresh Look
As we celebrate our 50th year of service, we are thrilled to unveil our new logo – a symbol of our commitment to our mission and our adaptability to the changing needs of the generations we serve. The new look not only reflects our rich history but also our vision for the future.
Creating our new logo was a journey in itself. Working with a pro-bono graphic designer (shout out to Taylor at Blaze Credit Union), we talked through elements of a logo to capture both our heritage and future aspirations. Every detail in our new logo has a purpose.
The new logo was officially unveiled at DARTS’ 10th Annual Fundraising Breakfast in April. The crowd oohed and aahed over the new look. We’re so excited to be splashing our new logo everywhere – and it truly is everywhere. Our Communications Manager has been busy updating everything from tablecloths, tents and t-shirts to brochures, business cards, and bus wraps!
We love the new logo and all that it represents, and we hope you do too!
Looking Ahead: The Next 50 Years
Fifty years is an incredible accomplishment! We’re excited to continue our work and embark on new initiatives that champion for solutions, engage more people, strengthen sustainability, deepen connections, and sustain a great team.
We are committed to evolving with the times, ensuring our programs and initiatives meet the needs of older adults and caregivers through the generations. Here’s a glimpse of our future plans:
• Champion for Solutions: Advocate on aging issues. Influence change. Combat isolation.
• Engage More People: Outreach to connect in new ways. Connect with people earlier in their aging journey.
• Strengthen Sustainability: Innovate to address changing needs. Replenish reserves.
• Inclusive Community: Continue fostering a diverse and welcoming environment for clients, donors, partners, staff, and volunteers.
Join Us in the Celebration!
You’re invited to DARTS’ 50th Birthday Bash! Think Party It Forward: Birthday Edition. Get ready to celebrate this milestone with decades music, food, and drinks. More details to come soon.
We hope to see YOU there!
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Your partnership supports today’s seniors and enables DARTS to build solutions for tomorrow. Here’s to the next 50 years of creating connections that enrich aging!
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