Help End Hunger in Idaho

The U.S. Postal Service is having its annual food drive to help the Idaho Foodbank on May 8, 2010, and they are looking for some help in carrying the food donations! Would you like to help make a difference? Help get food to our neighbors? 

To help the USPS with their food drive, contact Cindy Hale at chale@idahofoodbank.org or call 336-9643 x. 236.

Great Ways to End Hunger in Idaho!

(Published in the Idaho Statesman January 12, 2010)

With the increase in region-wide unemployment, more and more families are struggling to put food on the table.  Demand at area food banks is estimated to increase 30% over and above the 27% increase from last year.

With such pressing need, many groups are finding innovative ways to help restock the warehouses of area food banks.  Although January and February are typically the lowest months for food donations, two organizations are planning on turning that around this year.

Dump Hunger Campaign Benefitting Local Food Banks

Western States Equipment has launched a six-week food drive that partners 13 Western States branch locations with local food banks within their community.

In its second year, the “Dump Hunger” campaign is hoping to collect 150,000 pounds of food – equal to two CAT 730 truckloads.

In addition to the food collection, Western States will match $1 for every 5 pounds of food collected, up to a $17,000 contribution.

Donations to the campaign can be brought to any of the Western States branch locations.

The Dump Hunger campaign will end on Tuesday, February 9th.

For more information, including Western States branch locations and a weekly Dump Hunger tracker, visit www.westernstatescat.com.

Will Act for Food by Daisy’s Madhouse 

Local theatre artists will be using their creative talents and ingenuity to serve those in need through “Will Act for Food” presented by Daisy’s Madhouse.  This “a play in a day” festival will bring actors, writers and directors together to create an evening of entertainment to benefit the Idaho Foodbank.

The festival performances will be at the Danny Peterson stage at the Morrison Center on Saturday, Jan 16 starting at 8pm.

The day prior to the festival, writers will be given a line and a prop they must use to produce a 10-page one-act play in a variety of randomly assigned genres.   The next morning, directors and casts will be chosen randomly for each of the 10-12 minute plays.

Guest judges Tom Willmorth of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Fool Squad, Dana Oland of the Idaho Statesman and local playwright and director Sandra Cavanaugh will critique the shows. 

All registration fees and tickets proceeds will go to the Idaho Foodbank. 

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and BSU Students.  The show is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Tickets are available at Select-a-Seat at www.idahotickets.com or 426-1494.

For more information on the Idaho Foodbank, visit www.idahofoodbank.org or call 336-9643.

Ringing in the New Year with Positive Changes!

(Originally published in the Idaho Statesman December 29, 2009)

Boise Life - Annual Fundraiser

This Thursday, celebrate the New Year while connecting with community-minded citizens.  Boise Life, a community-based website, is hosting a New Years Eve party at the Rose Room from 9pm to 2am.

With the motto “Enjoy, Serve, Learn”, BoiseLife.org covers information ranging from events to recreation tips and is an online resource to learn about local service projects.  They host a monthly service outreach program called BoiseLife Days, and have done projects ranging from cleaning up TableRock to delivering bicycles to the Boise’s refugee population.

All proceeds from the party will go towards Boise Life’s goal of opening a physical volunteer center.  The facility would match the needs of nonprofits with the skills and interests of individual volunteers, serving as a hub for volunteers and nonprofit organizations to partner and share resources.

Tickets to the party are $25 per person and include 2 drink tickets and light appetizers.  Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to dress as their favorite decade.  Tickets are available through BoiseLife.org or through The Costume Shop and Jenny’s Lunch Line. 

For more information on Boise Life, visit www.boiselife.org. 

Camp Rainbow Gold - Super Bowl Raffle

Take a chance at winning a dream trip to the Super Bowl while scoring big for children and families dealing with cancer.  Camp Rainbow Gold is hosting a raffle drawing for two tickets to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, FL. 

This Thursday, Camp Rainbow Gold will draw its raffle winner of two Super Bowl tickets, plus airfare for two and two nights’ double-occupancy hotel accommodations for the February 7, 2010 game.

Raffle tickets are $10 per ticket and may be purchased by calling 422-0176 or by visiting any Banner Bank in the Treasure Valley or the Camp Rainbow Gold Office at 2676 S. Vista Ave. in Boise on a weekday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.  The winner need not be present at the drawing on New Year’s Eve.

All proceeds from the raffle will benefit Camp Rainbow Gold, an American Cancer Society program that supports Idaho’s children battling cancer and their families. 

Camp Rainbow Gold began as one week of summer camp for children living with cancer in Idaho.  It has grown to provide year-round support and fostering for both these patients and their families through programs such as Sibling Camp, Family Camp, hockey nights, football nights, ski days, teen support groups, and a college scholarship fund.

For more information on Camp Rainbow Gold, call 422-0176 or visit www.camprainbowgold.org.

Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides – Udderly Delicious

Is there anything more refreshing in the summer than a crisp glass of milk?  Or perhaps a scoop (oh, make it two!) of homemade ice cream?  Add a dollop of chocolate syrup or fresh fruit to either, and you just might be in heaven.  Oh, and maybe just a nice slice of fresh pie or a cookie that you know just came from the oven?

Would you like to have a great taste from Idaho’s amazing local farms and dairies that produce milk and other delicious food products without hormones or other chemicals?  Celebrate our local family farms and dairies on Sunday, June 14 at the Boise Urban Garden School, located at 4821 Franklin Rd. in Boise from 1:30-3:30 p.m. 

You will have the opportunity to sample milk, cheeses, quiches, and baked goods created from the bounty of our community’s local farms and dairies.  Proceeds of the sales go to the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, which seeks to promote alternatives to pesticides through educating the public, providing support to farmers wishing to transition to organic, creating pesticide-free public spaces, and working on legislative policy.

Tickets for the event are $15 adults, $7.50 children. Tickets are available by calling Jennifer Miller at (208) 850-6504.

Camp Discovery Raffle

When you're facing a battle with cancer, moments of fun and respite can be like a breath of fresh air.

Camp Discovery provides such a breath of fresh air, as well as activities to help keep the heart pumping and the spirit soaring.

Based in Salmon, Camp Discovery provides free multiday river adventure programs to youth and adults with cancer. The educational outdoor experiences are designed by counselors and outdoor professionals to help build and restore physical, spiritual and emotional strength.

Camp Discovery is holding a statewide raffle to help provide scholarships for teen and young adult cancer survivors to attend adventure programs this summer on the Salmon River.

First prize is an AIRE Outfitter II, a two-person inflatable kayak ($1,379 value). Second prize is a one- day fall guided steelhead fishing trip with Idaho Adventures in Salmon ($350 value).

The raffle ends Saturday, June 27. Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $40 and are available at www.campdiscoveryidaho.org/upcoming-events.asp or(208) 303-0040.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – Rock the Flock

They may not show bruises or cuts.  They may not have a cast or a splint.  Yet, their pain is very real and may be deeper as they often feel they cannot talk about it without judgment or ridicule and their healing can take many years.  They are our family members, friends and neighbors with mental illness.

Medical science is just starting to understand the causes and cures for a variety of illnesses including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.  As the research continues, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is here to provide support and information to those suffering from mental illness and their families.

With NAMI’s support, hundreds of thousands across the country are able to receive better treatment, have a better quality of life, return to the work force, and enjoy their families.

Support the local chapter of NAMI at Rock the Flock on Friday, May 29, 2009.  Starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater, enjoy the amazing songs and vocals from Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours. 

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at the Egyptian Theater, located at 700 W. Main St. in Boise, or at the Record Exchange, located at 1105 W. Idaho St. in Boise.  For more information on the concert, visit www.rocktheflock.org, and for more information on NAMI, visit www.nami-boise.org.

 

Alzheimer’s Association – Idaho Celebrity Alzheimer’s Benefit

Anyone whose life has been touched by Alzheimer’s knows how frustrating and hopeless the disease can feel for everyone involved.  The Alzheimer’s Association can be an invaluable lifeline for those with Alzheimer’s, as well as for their families, friends and caregivers.

The Greater Idaho region has approximately 40,000 people diagnosed with this progressive and fatal brain disease. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease in Idaho is expected to increase by 100% by 2025.

On Saturday, May 16, the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Idaho Chapter will host their 4th annual Idaho Celebrity Alzheimer’s Benefit to honor and create awareness and support for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  It will be held at the Rose Room in downtown Boise.

The evening will feature a dinner, entertainment and silent and live auctions.  Funds raised will help the Greater Idaho Chapter provide statewide services such as information and referral programs, education, care consultation, support groups, safe return, in addition to supporting Alzheimer’s research.

Attendees will join Idaho celebrities such as Chairman and CEO of Idaho Film Studios, A. Grant Allan; Boise State Football Coach, Villiami Tuivai; NFL Linebacker of the Cincinnati Bengals, Lance Sellers; as well as local media and artistic leaders in the community.  Entertainment will be provided by Denae, a 17 year old country and blues singer.

Tickets are $100 and are available at www.alz.org/idaho or by calling 384-1788.

Boise Bicycle Project - Concert & Fundraiser

Susan B. Anthony famously said, "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance."

Bicycling has done more than emancipate women. It is a fantastic form of transportation that frees women, men and children to seek the adventures and lives they desire.

The Boise Bicycle Project is a local nonprofit that educates the public about how bicycles are a great way to get around town and works to make sure that our neighbors have access to bikes no matter what their income. The group fixes old bikes for donation, and it empowers children and the refugee community about bicycle repair, care and maintenance.

On Friday at the Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St. in Garden City, you can check out amazing deals on refurbished bikes from 3 to 8 p.m. , then enjoy a concert featuring some amazing bands starting at 8 p.m., all to benefit the Boise Bicycle Project. The cover for the concert is $5-10, and you can enter a raffle for a gorgeous classic Schwinn Suburban bicycle. For more information, visit www.boisebicycleproject.org

Imperial Sovereign Gem Court of Idaho – Idaho Cares

On Saturday, April 11, the Imperial Sovereign Gem Court of Idaho will be bringing a Las Vegas cabaret-style party to Boise for their annual Idaho Cares Show. 

The Imperial Sovereign Gem Court of Idaho (ISGCI), now in its 29th year, is a non-profit organization that helps raise money for charitable funds and organizations in Idaho. 

One such fund is the Jimmy Moore Fund, which provides money for emergency medical assistance to help those living with HIV & AIDS.  The Idaho Cares Show originated 15 years ago to help raise money for the fund.

Individuals and families may request assistance from the fund through the HIV Services Clinic.  Each year the administrators for this fund are elected to administer requests for assistance as well as host the annual Jimmy Moore Fundraisers.  Their goal is to raise $6,000.00 at this year’s event.

Hosted at the Visual Arts Collective, the “Viva Las Vegas” event will include champagne and hors d’oeuvres starting at 7pm with the cabaret show at 8pm.  There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes to add to the festivities.  Tickets are $10 at the door. 

Visual Arts Collective (www.visualartscollective.com) is located at 3638 Osage Street in Garden City, behind the Woman of Steel Gallery. 

More information on ISGCI is available at www.idahogemcourt.org.

American Red Cross – Truly Giving of Yourself

It only takes about thirty minutes of your time but you can make the ultimate difference in someone else’s life.  Better yet, it will not cost you anything.  By giving a pint of blood even once a year, you can help ensure that a father who has in a car accident can return home for his child’s birthday, or that a child with a rare disease has blood available for the necessary surgeries to cure her.

This is truly giving back to our community and protecting our community’s health.  Blood components have a fairly short shelf life, and there is only a one-week supply of blood in our nation’s collection centers at any given time. 

The availability of donated blood makes make possible the medical innovations we have experienced over the last several decades.  Through the generosity of blood donors in our community, our doctors can perform the life-saving surgical treatments, cancer treatments, organ transplants and thousands of other cures that give our loved ones renewed life.

With each pint you donate, you are able to help many people and ensure a better tomorrow for their future.  Who knows? That person you just walked by on the street could be with us because you took just a short portion out of one day to donate.

 Not a fan of needles or get a little squeamish giving blood? You can still help the American Red Cross in a variety of ways such as greeting donors at the donor centers, as a courier to transport blood to local hospitals or as an office assistant.

To find a blood donation center near you or to make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.  For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit lewisandclark.redcross.org/volunteers  or call 429-5837.