Patty Wetterling cut a cake Tuesday afternoon at the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center in Minneapolis to commemorate the organization's 25th anniversary.

With her were her husband, Jerry, daughter Carmen, and twin granddaughters Maizie and Belle.

Also there was Jacob's aunt, Peg Overturf, who wore a vintage "Jacob's Hope" button along with one on which Jacob's image has been "age progressed" to what he might look like at age 35.

Tuesday would have been Jacob's 37th birthday; he was 11 when he was kidnapped in 1989 in his hometown of St. Joseph, Minn.

In her remarks, Patty Wetterling said, "I became aware of the need for a foundation from all the letters I received" after Jacob's disappearance.

For 25 years, the foundation that evolved into the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center has been "building a world where kids can grow up safe and follow their dreams." The center assists families of missing and exploited children and works to prevent crimes against children.

At the open house Tuesday afternoon, Jacob Wetterling’s aunt, Peg Overturf, wore a vintage “Jacob’s Hope” button along with one where Jacob’s image has been “age progressed” to what he might look like at about age 35.

STAFF REPORTS