volunteering

The Dempsey Challenge 2016

October 4, 2016October 4, 2016 by Karen, posted in good grief, health, no fear, Reiki

I volunteered again this year at The Dempsey Challenge in the Reiki Tent.
What a wonderful group of people there! This was my second year volunteering, and I plan to be part of this wonderful event next year as well.

“Every dollar raised by Dempsey Challenge participants directly benefits the Dempsey Center.”

As Ina Garten would say: How great is that?

The only glitch was that when I arrived, they only had size 2XL volunteer T-shirts left. And there I was, without my sash. Anyway, I rocked it!

After my volunteer shift in the tent was over, I went to write my parents’ names, Mary and John Maffeo, on the memory wall. They both died from cancer many years ago, but as anyone knows who has lost a loved one knows all too well, time is nothing. It felt as fresh right then as it ever was. As I stood there looking at their names, my eyes teared up, so I hurried to my car to cry in private.

And then I went back. I walked by the river. I talked to some people. I danced with Mary Dempsey, whom I met at last year’s challenge and who, by the way, is a good dancer!

And this year, I got to meet Patrick Dempsey. I even got a selfie and an autograph! (NOTE: Thank you to the teenaged girl in front of me who gave me that idea!)

How great is that?

🙂

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Library book sale

July 31, 2013 by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, family, friends, teens

My daughter and I ventured into new territory together last year when we volunteered together for the Friends of the Wells Public Library annual fundraising book sale.

We had such a good time volunteering last year that we are planning to do it again this year.

We mostly sorted and carried books to their proper spots on the tables that we helped to set up first thing in the morning. There were plenty of people of all ages there helping out along with us, including The Boy Scouts!!!

This years sale is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th from 10am -2pm and (you guessed it!), for some reason they need more volunteers than just me and Izzy. If you are so inclined and are local and want to help out, just email Susan at susan.layne1@gmail.com. Currently volunteers are still needed from 12pm-3pm on both Friday and Saturday.

If you come to help us, bring something to drink, like a big bottle of water (or maybe keep a cooler in your car with some cold drinks and an ice pack if you are planning to stay a while-hint! hint!). Also, a granola bar or two for you teenagers wouldn’t hurt (because God forbid you eat an apple or something).

If you don’t have time to help, consider coming to shop!!! Spending your money at the book sale will also be appreciated! The book sale is Saturday at the Wells Junior High School in the gym.

Remember (like Susan says): Many hands make light work!

See you there!!

August 10, 2012 by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, family, local fun, teens

My daughter and I signed up to volunteer for two hours this morning to help with tasks involved in getting ready for the annual library book sale. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Even though I looked forward to and attended the book sale almost every year, I had never been involved in any of the activities that preceded it.

We arrived a little early to find a smattering of other early birds there at the crack of 9:00AM, ready to help. We jumped right in.After a few “thank you’s” from Susan, the lovely woman in charge, I said, “Actually, I’m having fun!”

And you know what? I was having fun. More than that, I was having a great time. Even though it was very muggy and I was sweating and thirsty, I was enjoying what I was doing and the time was passing quickly. As I thought about why, I realized that volunteering to help set up for the library book sale combined two of my favorite things:

Being with the books
Bringing order to chaos

I was especially pleased because I was able to identify, almost without thinking about it, exactly what it was that made me enjoy the work so much. It was a physical job: hauling books from one end of the gym to the other. Usually I don’t love exercise, but then it occurred to me that I was getting my ‘workout’ this morning doing purposeful activity with something to show for it at the end besides sore muscles: the dozens of cartons of books that were arranged on tables, spines, up, ready for the customers tomorrow–another bonus.

Our two hours of volunteering turned into four and a half. We stayed until the job was done.

As it turned out, the day included another one of my favorite things: PIZZA! Susan unexpectedly treated us to pizza for lunch. Because in the end, it’s always all about the food…and today, it was also all about the books!

In to Africa

September 16, 2010 by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, health

My friend and work colleague, M. Lennon, RN, is preparing for a trip (not her first) to Africa; she and other volunteers will continue the work they were doing at the Newstart Children’s Home and Clinic last year. This year they hope to build a separate school; right now the school is contained in the baby center. Newstart currently is home to about 70 (amazing!) children.

M. is collecting supplies to bring with her to the children, as well as monetary donations that will be used to buy shoes (and possibly other needed items) for them. Needed items include: many sizes of boys’ clothing, all sizes of plastic diaper covers for cloth diapers, baby bottles, ring worm remedies (either homeopathic or prescription), walking shoes (all sizes), Tevas (all sizes).

It’s called The Zimbabwe Project. I am thinking of this today because M. is having a bake sale fundraiser to support the effort. There will be another fundraiser this Sunday, September 19th from 5-8pM at the Fuller Glass Studio, 129 Congress St. (across from the Portland Observatory).

The bake sale fundraiser includes items made by local artisan Susan Henry, RN. Not only did she donate baked goods, but the time that she took to design meaningful packaging reminds us all of the importance of the undertaking and why they are doing it. Everything offered for sale is infused with love and blessings; you can feel it.

When I checked out the website, I saw this quote from Mother Theresa:

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

This reminded me of one of my goals for 2010: to support food security. Here’s an excellent chance to do that (literally and figuratively) and to help others to do something great at the same time.

If you want to be involved in any way, visit the above Zimbabwe Project or Delaney’s Heart Organization.

No one will feel better about your efforts than you will yourself. 🙂

All of the items for the fundraiser were donated by the baker and/or crafter themselves. Here’s just a few that I was able to photograph before they were bought or eaten!

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