Category Archives: Volunteerism

Encore Quotes ~ Find Time for Reading

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Hey there voyagers!  I’ve spent a great deal of time this week thinking about books and reading.  For myself, I’ve been staying up waaaaay too late reading, and I’ve just finished my 6th book of the new year.

I also spent time talking with a young friend whose 4th grade son does not like to read.  I put together a grade level appropriate list of some of the best children’s books I could think of.  A child who is not motivated to read is either struggling, or has not experienced the right book!  What fourth grade boy would not be enthralled by the idea of owning a pet Grizzly bear (Gentle Ben by Walt Morey), or by the thought of living alone in a hollowed out tree and training a falcon! (My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George)

The best advice I could give her for developing a young reader is to read TO him!  Aloud, and snuggled up in the most comfortable place she could find!  I always told the parents of my students that their job was to keep the love of the book alive! Reading aloud to children helps them develop the imagination necessary for independent comprehension.  And the right books will get them hooked!

And then I got to thinking about my fellow retirees.  Are there any young people in your lives to whom you could read aloud?  To whom you could give the very special gift of your time and reading expertise?  Is there someone for whom you could light the reading fire?

Have a great weekend, and enjoy reading a wonderful book!  I know I will!

Lynn

By the way, can find me on Goodreads here.

Time, Treasures & Talent

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Every year, around the first weekend in May, our local Boys and Girls Club puts on a huge fundraising event.  This glitzy over the top affair is called the

Denim and Diamonds Gala

Denim and Diamonds - Final

 

It takes place in our local sporting arena.  It’s a sit down dinner for about 500 people.  There are both silent and live auctions.  A restored vintage car is raffled off, and thousands of dollars are raised to sponsor our local children.  Last year, 1342 young people were served at our Boys and Girls Club, providing them with lunches on non-school days, and with over 60,000 healthy after school snacks. They were provided with educational programs and activities, along with positive role models.

But providing those services is not free, and it certainly is not easy.  It took a huge contingent of volunteers to make the gala happen.  Last Thursday and Friday, I spent hours sitting at a computer, entering attendee information into the computerized auction system.  I set up tables, I broke down tables, I packed up silk flowers and centerpieces and organized auction items.  And I didn’t work nearly as hard as many who spent night after night down at the club, preparing items for auction, and taking care of a thousand and one tasks that needed doing.

And as I looked around at the event, a great many of the volunteer folks were people my age.  Many were fairly recent retirees.  I found myself thinking about the folks who have nothing to do in their retirement years, and thought

There is a need for your time, treasures and talent!

All you need to do is ask.  Perhaps at your own Boys and Girls Club.  Perhaps at a local school.  Or maybe you could inquire of your local librarian, who is always in the know about such needs.  Maybe you could check out a women’s’ and children’s shelter.  No matter what community you hail from, there will always be some group or organization who could benefit from your skill and enthusiasm.

And if you are anything like me, the experience will be one of the most exhausting, thrilling, and rewarding of your year!

Lynn

Too Many Quilts – Here’s What to Do!

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How many quilts does a person really need???  Hold on, hold on…before you fellow quilters go all ape shit bananas on me, I know that you know what I’m talking about!  Like me, you have your guest beds stacked with several years worth of creativity!  You rotate them occasionally, bringing a different one to the top to give the room a new look.  And like me, if you have guests who are actually going to sleep in that guest bed, you must frantically find a place to store some of the extras, so that your guests won’t be crushed under the weight – Come on now, fess up – You do the same thing…you know you do!  

So what’s a quilter to do – Your walls all have hangings, your tables are all topped, and you’ve already made quilted gifts for your friends for next Christmas!  I think the best answer is to quilt for a cause!  I thought I’d share this last little project I did in hopes of inspiring some of you.

 

Each year, the Boys & Girls Club in our town holds a fund raising gala dinner.  The gala includes an extensive silent auction and a live auction, as well as raffle tickets for exciting prizes.  With some inside help from the club,  I finished this quilt just in time for the gala. The painted hand prints were done by children at the club, and the photo blocks are of children who have attended the Boys & Girls Club over the years.  The orange and blue represent our local Boise State Broncos!  The quilt was quite a hit, and in the end, went to one of the BGC board members.

My point is this…If, like me, you have too many quilts and too much time, perhaps you could consider donating quilts for a cause:

  • Quilts of Valor is a program that is trying to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.  Their website gives specifics.
  • Neonatal units at most local hospitals truly appreciate very soft baby quilts to go home with infants.  (And new parents truly appreciate the expression of caring!)
  • The same could be said for skilled nursing care facilities.  What’s not to love about providing a beautiful quilt to a senior?
  • Many non-profit organizations use raffles and silent auctions as a means of fund-raising.  It’s not that hard to find a way to give to an organization that appeals to your heart.
  • And if you have old quilts which you have decided to replace, animal shelters and vet clinics can always put them to good use!

So whatdaya think??  Are you feeling inspired to use up some of that stash for a good cause?  I’d love to hear about your projects!

Lynn