My Volunteer Journal: Episode 16 – Performing with Amazing Kids at The Miracle Project
I realize that not everyone can volunteer on Saturday or Sunday. Some people want to chill with family and friends on the weekends and others have to work. So for all those with weekend restrictions my next few volunteer journals will be weekday activities. This week I was lucky enough to accompany my lovely new friend Shelley Pack, famous for being one half of the very funny Keep It Green Girls on Planet Green, to volunteer for The Miracle Project. “The Miracle Project™ is a theatre and film arts program for children with special needs and their typically developing siblings ...
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 15 – Restoring the Past at the Heritage Square Museum
Dearest Journal – How long it has been since I spent a leisurely Saturday sleeping instead of waking at the dawn hours in order to do stressful labors. Indeed my poor Victorian sensibilities are overwrought with the wear to my once dainty fingers. Today again I found myself scrubbing the exterior of a grand home, which was neither my friends nor mine. Surely these habits must abate or I will never have time to learn needlepoint, aimless walking or the harp. Yours on the Ides of March – Ms. Payne I love the Victorian Era. It seemed to be such a ...
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 14 - Joining the Tribe of the TreePeople
In 1973 when Andy Lipkis was 15 years old trees in Los Angeles were dying at an alarming rate due, in part, to the horrific smog. Many people told Andy he could do nothing to help fix the problem, but he didn’t listen. During summer camp he decided to mobilize his fellow campers, take an abandoned parking lot and convert it into a meadow with smog resistant trees. The project was a success and a good monster had been created. Andy never stopped planting. He went on to found the group TreePeople and has been honored worldwide for his efforts ...
Talking Hemp with “Keep It Green Girls” Shelley Pack
My favorite bit of Discovery's Planet Green programming is the Keep It Green Girls on G Word. They are bawdy and hilarious as they trip their way in four inch heals through explorations into the world of "green." No, the program is not overly scientific, but it speaks to the masses and more importantly is highly original and entertaining. So imagine what a dork I was when I randomly ran into Shelley Pack of the Keep It Green Girls in LA during an audition and then begged her for an interview. Luckily for me she's a nerd at heart and agreed to ...
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My Volunteer Journal: Episode 24 - Yoga and Yummies for Operation Shanti or How to Throw a Kick A#$ Benefit
“Oh yummy! This is heaven in bar form!” I think as I shove another Theo’s Bread and Chocolate chocolate bar sample into my mouth. I’m at a yoga class benefit, but at the moment I am completely distracted by the chocolate tasting station. Delicious. Should be a requisite part of every volunteer activity. The chocolate... [Read more]
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 23 – Protesting Puppy Mills with Best Friends Animal Society
“I am going to a protest!” I’ve been saying that to anyone who will listen for a whole week. That’s right, mild mannered me at a protest. A real protest. I’m a rebel. Yup. I am going to protest! And it’s for a great cause! The protest is actually very tame. I am joining Best Friends Animal Society for a tabling... [Read more]
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 22 – The Project Angel Food Workout
I can now with confidence cook for an entire professional football team. Would I ever want to? Not really, but I now know interesting tid bits like: to make enough mashed potatoes for a group that size you would need three large sweaty men and one bathtub full of steaming hot water. But I digress. Here’s how I gained... [Read more]
Naughty Non-Profits: 7 Eco-Sins
I am about to do something slightly ungrateful, definitely heinous, very uncomfortable, but in the end completely necessary: I’m going to blow the environmental whistle (or horn) on many of the non-profits I’ve been helping this year. Let me explain why - I’ve been trying to complete 50 different volunteer... [Read more]
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 21- In the Trenches with Swap-O-Rama-Rama
Swap-o-rama-rama is one of those perfectly-original-amazingly-convenient-eco-friendly volunteer activities that has many many pros: 1) You get rid of old t-shirts! I’ve been meaning to clean out my t-shirt drawer for months. Thank God this event finally forced me to do it. I did manage to put off the cleaning until 30... [Read more]
My Volunteer Journal: Episode 20 – Celebrating Veterans on Memorial Weekend with Rebuilding Together
“How Dare You! HOW DARE YOU! Stop it! Ridiculous. Stop it!” My hand slams down on the buzzing alarm clock. To me few things are more unpleasant than an alarm in the morning. I’m a true night owl and frequent insomniac so any sleep is a blessing and being ripped from that all too rare event is slightly painful. An... [Read more]
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