Picking back up again

Well the Walk Now for Autism (http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=289038) was a big success (although it was quite chilly in the a.m.) 2,500 walkers and about $157,000 raised. That was kind of a bigger project so I'm looking forward to some smaller ones.

Last night, I raided the toy and trinket aisles at Dollar Tree and got about 20 items (stickers, baby socks, puzzles, balls, etc.) for my sister's friend Bo who is traveling to Korea later this week. She is going and visiting the orphanage that she once lived in and is taking a variety of items for the kids. I know Tierney threw in some coloring books and such.

Saturday is my first day at the new Miracle League baseball park (http://www.kiwanismiracleleague.org/). I hope I get to be a "buddy" instead of working the concession stand AND that's it's not as humid as it has been.

Only July 2, I'll be going to the Des Moines Symphony Yankee Doodle Pops viewing party (http://www.dmsymphony.org/). I went last year as a guest of one of the board members and it was a lot of fun hanging out on the terrace of the State Historical Museum watching fireworks. I'll also be making a donation to the group.

And last but not least, I finally found a hands-on animal group that I can volunteer for...Animal Lifeline of Iowa (http://www.animal-lifeline.com/). A co-worker and my dentist are both volunteers and they assure me its not depressing and sad. It's a no-kill shelter and some of the pets stay there all their lives. I'm totally in love with this guy tho (http://www.animal-lifeline.com/adoptionanimal/animals/keno.htm). He might have to come home with me.

Volunteering outdoors

Well, the garden didn't get started off so well. All my seeds and little seedlings gave way to weeds. But Tara (garden next to mine) filled me in on how to do it a bit better. Spent about 8 hours last weekend and a few this week and it is up and running. And as one older woman said, "Some people spend $100s on these gardens for $10 worth of produce."

I hit my nephew's last Bam Bam baseball game last weekend and then made my way down to the new Miracle League Ballpark (http://www.kiwanismiracleleague.org/) to sign up to help out during a few games. That should be a lot of fun.

Meanwhile, I've been sending out press releases for the June 13 Walk Now for Autism (http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=289038). My office is donating the last 6 months of our internal fundraising money to the Southeast Polk team. We're going to make our fundraising goal! On the other hand, I have yet to figure out a time to be able to volunteer onsite much less do the walk as Koda needs to have a laser in the a.m. Also looking into at least one time to volunteer at the Des Moines Arts Festival (http://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/). I'm thinking either monitoring the Sculpture Park or Nurturing a Student's Vision. This year's festival has a lot of interactive stuff going on. Very hands on.

And one last thing...I'm going to add this to the 40 for 40 list even though it's a bit indirect. My next door neighbor endured about 3 months of hell -- his wife walked out and took everything with her and about 6 weeks later his father, though ill, died unexpectedly. (The divorce thing is still going on and grieving takes awhile.) Anyway, after 3.5 years of living there actually talked to him more than an occasional hello. He was really bumming -- feeling lost and hopeless about what to do with his time and how to develop a new social network (and not a virtual one as he is more include to do). We got to talking about one area that I knew had a soft spot ... kids. I mentioned that he should sign up for Big Brothers Big Sisters (http://www.bigbrothersbigsistersofiowa.org/) and he lit up! Now, it's one thing to mention it but I've checked back in with him every few days to see how it's going because becoming an approved volunteer with BB/BS is no easy task...as it should be. But he's carried it all the way out. Even had his niece and mom help him in cleaning up the house, fixing up his back yard, etc. He's totally excited and there's something like 300 kids on the BB/BS waiting list in Des Moines alone. He'll be great, he's just eager to get started. AND I think he'll meet some of the other volunteers through the program and voila...some new peer-aged friends too.

I should also mention the Boys and Girls Club to him too. Hmmm...I might have to look into it too. (http://www.bgcci.org/volunteeropportunities.php)

Until next time!

Egads! Time flies

It's been almost too long I can't remember where I left off. Well...the Rotary auction wasn't attended as well as we hoped but the fundraising coordinator said they at least broke even on food and drink and everything else would help fund the building of a new Y.

The Hearts for Hope was also well attended with more than 800 women showing up. The speaker was a bit preachy but she got in a few good laughs.

I have been doing the press release blasts for the June 13 Walk Now for Autism. I'll send another next week. Hoping that my office's internal fundraising campaign will assign the past 6 months collection to our Southeast Polk Team.

I'll be donating to my friend Barb's upcoming trip to Panama to outfit those in need with glasses
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=652797&LangPref=en-CA . She's done this several times before and being an avid photographer, she always comes back with more.

Other than that, not much on the horizon but that's OK as I get into the busy "seminar/event" season at work. One other thing I can think of...I may be adopting another dog from the Animal Lifeline of Iowa (http://www.animal-lifeline.com/). This would happen sometime after my dog's recovery from amputation of her right left leg. Animal Lifeline is a no kill shelter that serves injured or sick pets without a home. There are lots of 3-leggeds down there so since I've already gone through it...and those animals have too, I might as well make use of what I've learned. We'll see.

What a weekend

Last Tuesday I received a late breaking email..."Historic Valley Junction (http://www.valleyjunction.com/) needs bartenders for it's Cinco de Mayo celebration" (held on Saturday, May 2).

Well, shoot...I poured beer and beverages for almost 10 years. The shifts were only two hour PLUS I needed to distributed Austism Walks flyers in that area, so I got signed up for noon to 2 p.m.

What a beautiful day to be outside! The weather was perfect. Plus I had "front row" seats to Las Guitarras de Mexico. The crowd started off a bit thin but really started picking up by the end of my shift. And then I toured about putting up 4-5 signs at various, apropos businesses. (I covered Beaverdale the night before.)

Afterward it was a walk in the park with the dog, a stop at Snookies and then digging in the yard.

I covered Pleasant Hill with a few more Autism Walks flyers on Sunday and back to the yard/garden yesterday.

The Hearts for Hope Tea (http://www.hopeiowa.org/events/heartofhope.php) is this weekend. I've had 4 of the original 10 already drop out. Hopefully they can fill up my table seats with some other various bodies who registered late.

Spring is here

Well, it's been about a week-and-a-half since I planted my organic garden at the Franklin Community Gardens. I have a hardy crop of crab grass and creeping charlie coming up. I was hoping to do some weeding this evening but I have an Autism Walks meeting.

Speaking of, this past Saturday was the kick off for the June 13 walk. Registrants picked up their info packets at Merle Hay Cinema and then were treated to a viewing of "Autism: The Musical" - an HBO documentary that came out of The Miracle Project (http://www.themiracleproject.org/). Definitely, spot-on in profiling the diversity of the disability but also demonstrating the finer points that bind this group together. I swear, I don't know how that woman (Elaine Hall) figured out how to get such a performance out of these kids. BTW: One of the kids in the movie is the son of music producer Stephen Stills. I guess Jack Black and one of the kids have a cut coming out on a new CD this summer called, "Fly: Into the World of Autism".

Also this past weekend, I wrapped up my duties/favor to the Waukee Rotary Club. I did most of their print promotional materials for their annual fundraising auction. Not a great turn out, but everything was sold. I got a killer tool set.

This coming weekend...a simple, but fun one...pouring beer at the May 2 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Valley Junction (http://www.valleyjunction.com/index.cfm?nodeID=10062&action=detail&eventid=19940)

A few more to add to the tally

Well, I made my pledge to Iowa Public Radio and renewed my members to the Autism Speaks as well as the Iowa Chapter. (This weekend - Sat., Apri 25 - is the kick off for the registration of teams for the Walk Now for Autism June 13. I'm on the public relations committee and did press releases and spread them all over the state. The kick off includes sign up but then a showing of a documentary called "Autism: The Musical" www.autismthemusical.com. BTW: There's still time to register yourself to walk or a team: http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/ccp.asp?ievent=289038&lis=1&kntae289038=3E7DB898D47B42BE9FAE90062DD76F72&ccp=81948)

This past weekend, a crew of two finished replacing the windows in my house putting a definite dent in my personal carbon footprint. And, my neighbor who has been very involved in ASPCA, requested a donation, so I also supported that.

This coming weekend also includes the Waukee Rotary Auction for which I did all their promotional materials and that will be that until May 9 at the Heart for Hope Tea.

Until then,
S

Walk Now for Autism...and more

Just a really quick post before my thoughts get too scattered.

I met with the Walk Now for Autism (Iowa Chapter) (http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=289038) on Monday. What a great group of people...and one gent there was someone I use to wait on back in my bartending days at Thumbs! Our three-person public relations team is meeting on Monday to come up with a plan of attack. Meanwhile on Saturday, my nephew has his fourth birthday and I'll be dropping of flyers and donation cards at Playground for Kids in Ankeny. Hopefully, since so many kids on the autism spectrum often go to "bounce houses" and the like, Playground for Kids will consider a sponsorship for the event. June 13 at Valley High School Stadium in West Des Moines.

I also received my first two installments of a book I am volunteering to help "edit" and give input to. It is on mudras - those meditative finger holds used in yogic practices. Should be interesting!

And this isn't really "volunteer" but I received word that I am signed up for a plot at a community garden near my house. It's 10' x 15'...so I'm sure, if it's successful, there will be some food donations this summer.

Oh, and last but not least, the Refugee Cooperative Services Global Gala is tonight! Can't bid on anything in the auction but the entertainment should be great! I'm pretty sure one of my faves is going to be there ...the Isiserettes (http://www.isiserettes.com/Home.html).