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 | | Xcel Employees gather to work cleaning trails at the Billings Tomfohr Natural Area |
When Good Plans Don't Work
Have you ever made plans for a party or an event? If you are like me you make multiple lists, checking them over and over. You think you've got everything in place, all the details attended to, contingency plans in place. EVERY LAST THING PLANNED and oops! For some unexpected reason, or some unknown cause, your event is a failure. It bombs! It is a flop.
Having raised three children I have planned birthday parties, Girl Scout Events, Sunday School classes, Teacher Appreciation Lunches and most stressful, Graduation Open Houses.
I know my friends and family will tell you that I aim too high, I'm too extravagant and I only make it hard on myself. At this stage in my life, I will admit, they are right. I have learned that lesson the hard way. Every single graduation party that I planned was rained on. I have learned in my personal life, no matter how many lists I make - I cannot control everything.
Now I am learning the same in my professional life. Example:Last Thursday's United Way Day of Action. We started planning for this event in January. We had meetings, made lists, sent out reminders to agencies and businesses. We ran a reminder every week in this newsletter. We called and cajoled and pleaded. We ordered thank you gifts and T-shirts. We scheduled a film crew to take video of all of the wonderful volunteers working. Our partner agencies sent in projects, we passed them on to businesses. I think you can guess what happened. It was a bust.
Two companies signed up to do in house collections for us and one company sent a crew out to work with Live Healthy Red Wing. To those businesses who participated, Xcel, Bic/Norwood and Red Wing Shoe, we thank you. You are fine examples of community support.
As to what went wrong, we are working on that. We will send out follow up questionnaires and ask for suggestions. Most probably, we will drop this as a community wide event and work with setting up opportunities for those businesses who are looking for ways to support the community. We have limited staff and financial resources and have promised our donors that we would use them wisely. Day of Action might not be the best use of our funds and time although coordinating volunteer efforts will always be an important part of our agenda.
We are forced to admit it just didn't happen this year, but we are not counting it as a failure. We will seek answers to the why's and how's and we will reevaluate for next year. We will learn from this event and promise to continue making the best decisions we can with the information that we have and the trust you have placed in us.
Only by working together, and trusting each other, can we create opportunities for a better life for all!
Maureen Nelson
 | | BIC employees and UW Staff with bags collected for Packing for the Weekend summer deliveries. |
Do you want to get your company and employees involved in the community through volunteer work? Contact us! We are here to help 651-388-6309
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Planning has begun for this year's School Supply Collection Drive.Last year 9 local schools received over 300 school supplies. This year our goal is 500 items! We need your help! Volunteer to collect supplies in your church, workplace or service organization. Let us know if we can count on you by sending us an email. |
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UPS auction offers unique items and priceless experiences - all in support of United Way
| Start your bidding! For the fourth year in a row, sport and entertainment fans who want to support communities are in luck as UPS just donated more than 80 exclusive items for an eBay auction to benefit United Way, including:
* Sports collectibles autographed by champion athletes, coaches and stars, such as race-worn items from NASCAR driver of the No. 99 UPS Ford Carl Edwards as well as other items from Roush Fenway Racing.
* NCAAŽ tickets and exclusive merchandise.
* A round with global golf star Lee Westwood
* LIVE NATION Ticketmaster gift cards and limited edition prints of iconic musicians including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
* And much more!
New auction items will post every week through September 3. Bid now and spread the word with your networks!
Over 30 years, UPS and its employees have donated more than $1 billion to improve lives in partnership with United Way. UPS is one of United Way's elite Global Corporate Leaders and has twice won the organization's highest national honor for corporate citizenship: the United Way Spirit of AmericaŽ Award. This is the fourth year UPS and United Way have partnered on a charitable auction, UPS' 30th year giving to United Way, and United Way's 125th anniversary. |
Volunteer Opportunities
| Faith in Action
When the phone rings in our office, we generally know it will probably be a request for transportation assistance. A request could be as simple as the need to go to an appointment, or as complex as setting up multiple rides for a dialysis patient. Recently we helped a receiver with 5 rides a week for a whole month to alleviate a medical condition. We never know what the request will be. What we do know, is that we have a group of wonderful, dedicated volunteers who make it possible to provide these services. We also know that each trip can help someone maintain their independence.
If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity that will be rewarding, and one that will truly make a difference in individuals lives, please contact Faith In Action at 651-385-3290 to learn more. Or better yet, stop in and visit us - our offices are located at 1407 W 4th street in the Fairview Professional Building/Red Wing Area Senior Center. We welcome new volunteers with open arms!
Hiawathaland Transit
administered by Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., is seeking Volunteer Drivers to transport residents of Goodhue and Wabasha counties. The purpose of the Volunteer Driver Program is to transport those that are not able to utilize public transportation or a personal vehicle. Rides will be scheduled through Hiawathaland Transit; riders can call in to request transportation and will be paired up with a driver who can take them to in- or out-of-town appointments, meetings, events, friendly visits, etc.
Volunteers will be reimbursed for mileage at the current IRS rate, may set their own schedules, drive as little or as much as wanted, and select preferred areas of travel. Interested parties must be 21 years of age or older, pass background and driving record checks, have a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and current auto insurance. For more information, please contact Hiawathaland Transit Toll-Free at 866-623-7505.
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Wish List
Apple Sauce
No glass containers please
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Birthday Club
| Crosby celebrated his 1st Birthday by sharing food with Packing for the Weekend kids. His big brother Owen helped him. |
| Reagan brought in food to share to celebrate her 3rd birthday. |
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Blandin Leadership Program
We are excited to announce that the Blandin Community Leadership Program will be offering another retreat for Red Wing. The leadership retreat is scheduled for November 5-9, 2012 at Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN and the follow up workshops will be held on February 12-13, 2013 and May 7, 2013. If you are interested in applying for the Blandin Community Leadership program, contact the United Way office or visit the Blandin website at:
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Horses For Heroes
Operation Free Ride
| Wednesday July 11th
1-8:00 pm
Rideability is hosting a fun filled day for families - especially for US Veterans and their families.
Spirit Painting Wagon Rides Horse Back Riding Games Trail Rides Rides for persons with Special Needs Food and Fun
For more information call Jeannie at 507-356-8154
www.rideability.org
RIDEABILITY
4 miles south of Pine Island on County Road 5
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Looking to Lead?
We are sad to announce that Martha Harris, Director of Girls on the Run Bluff Country has accepted a new position with the YMCA. That means changes for Girls on the Run....two positions are now open.
Martha has built a dynamic program for girls in our service area and solid leadership is needed to continue its growth.
To view job descriptions visit |
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Become an Advocate
| SARA is looking for caring people to become volunteer Advocates. Free Training is available in July.
SARA volunteers
Answer the 24 hour support line
Attend medical examinations
Attend law enforcement interviews
For more information or to register
contact Katherine
651-388-9360 ext. 15
SARA
Sexual Assault Resource Agency
Serving Goodhue and Wabasha Counties |
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Need Help with Your Financial Fitness?
Sponsored By
Three Rivers Community Action
with
Citizens Community Federal Bank
Learn about
- Budgeting to save
- Paying off your bills
- Building good credit
- Tips for Taxes
- Protection from Scams
Goodhue County Dates
Zumbrota - June 7 & 14
Red Wing - July 10 & 17
Kenyon - August 14 & 21
Wabasha County Dates
Plainview - June 18 & 25
Wabasha - July 24 & 31
Lake City - August 16 & 23
CLASSES ARE FREE
For more information contact: Shirley at Three Rivers Community Action
1-800-277-8418 Ext. 120
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Russ Clevenger Memorial
Golf Tournament
Dinner &
Auction
Monday, August 13th
Cannon Golf Club
12:30pm
4 person scramble format
For more information or to reserve your spot:
Contact
By phone:
Greg Evans
Tournament Chair
507-263-7563
or by email
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity
gchfh01@gmail.com
All Proceeds Support
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity
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