On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Embrace Our Souls was honored for raising over $25,000 through their "Shine On Gilbert" bracelet fundraiser for Helping Paws, a Minnesota nonprofit organization.
Embrace Our Souls co-owners, Jane Anderson & Emily Hobson Bauer,
with Helping Paws Executive Director, Alyssa Golob
Gilbert was a 4-year-old golden retriever who lost his life alongside Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in the tragic June 14, 2025 shooting at their Brooklyn Park home.
Melissa Hortman and Gilbert
Helping Paws also announced at the dinner the launch of The Hortman Heroes Fund— in honor of Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert Hortman— which will support Helping Paws programs that place service dogs with veterans and first responders with service-related PTSD.
“Our parents deeply treasured their relationship with Helping Paws, and we are so honored to preserve their legacy through The Hortman Heroes Fund,“ says Mark and Melissa Hortman’s children, Sophie and Colin Hortman. “We want to extend our gratitude to all those who were moved by their story and contributed to Helping Paws. Our family is committed to the work that Helping Paws is doing, and we look forward to the positive impact that this fund will have in providing healing and support for veterans and first responders.”
A portion of the sales from Shine On Gilbert will continue to be donated by Embrace Our Souls directly to Helping Paws. The bracelets are currently available for order online and in Kowalski's stores throughout the Twin Cities.