My Volunteer Journal: Episode 52 – CHILL The Boys Are Just Snowboarding

“He’s going to kill himself and I’m going to be held responsible.” That was my primary thought at least a dozen times while volunteering for Burton’s CHILL program at Mountain High Ski Resort. The CHILL program takes underprivileged teens to local mountains to learn to snowboard one day a week for six weeks. Equipment... [Read more]

My Volunteer Journal: Episode 51 – Streetwalking for the Greater Good

One of the most head slapping-ly logical groups I helped last year was Food Forward. Their brilliant concept boils down to – You have fruit trees in your yard that need picking. We have hungry people in LA. We will come pick your tree for free, give you tax credit, and give the fruit to the hungry. Problems solved. I picked... [Read more]

The Argument for Legalizing Marijuana for the Environment’s Sake

Note to those who have already e-mailed me:  No, I’m not a pot user - really I don’t even like being around the smoke. However, I think it’s silly to pay taxes to fight a war against a plant which is less dangerous than alcohol, is a viable medical treatment for certain conditions, and could make us tons... [Read more]

50 Volunteering Projects in One Year – The Conclusion of Mission 50

I’m sorry. Not just for the title of this project which was…mmm…lacking… but because it’s taken me so long to summarize my volunteering experience. I kind of got back handed by life about a week after I cut my hair and I’m still trying to stand up. The good news is I have almost found my footing and expect to... [Read more]

Waste & Want: How Wal-Mart & H&M Destroy Unsold Clothes Instead of Donating

Let’s pretend you’re a big clothing retail chain who’s a bit profit minded and unscrupulous because you’re a corporation and you answer to share holders.  Naturally, you wouldn’t want the poor to be seen in your clothes.  It sends the wrong message if your sportswear can be bought by anyone. You definitely don’t... [Read more]

My Volunteer Journal: Episode 50 – The Hair Cut

I think this volunteer episode is better told with bad photography (see below). Disjointed thoughts on my final volunteer mission: It’s fortunate that I was doing this haircut for charity and for this blog or, honestly, it would not have happened. The morning of the scheduled chop I was face down in bed with my hands... [Read more]

My Family is Trying to Destroy the Earth

Holidays, in general, mean family time. Millions will return home to be with people who, in some cases, they spend little time and have even less in common with - except a shared genetic code. It should come as no surprise then that the Holidays rank as one of the most stressful times of year. One particular familial quirk... [Read more]

My Volunteer Journal: Episode 49 – Thoughts of a Salvation Army Bell Ringer

“Have fun being the person everyone avoids eye contact with.” – My brother, Austin, upon hearing that I was going to collect donations in front of Macy’s as a Salvation Army Red Kettle Volunteer. What are those stalwart Salvation Army employees or volunteers thinking as they stand in the cold collecting your donations... [Read more]

My Volunteer Journal: Episode 48 – Promote The Wellness Community’s Cancer Fight

Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club I’d rather not belong to. –Gilda Radner Every non-profit organization needs volunteers to do promotion work. If you work in marketing or media, can write a decent press release, know how to solicit donations, or throw a fundraiser then there is no charity you can’t... [Read more]

My Volunteer Journal: Episode 47 – Lake Arrowhead Reps Work Day

Definition of “Work Day” from Raegan’s Definitions and Translations of Common Entertainment Industry Terms Part of speech – noun 1. A day, way too close to opening night, in which the cast and crew of a show descend upon the theatre or performance space to build the entire set, block the play, build the costumes,... [Read more]

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