rise up for the homeless and hungry

I did my first pro-bono graphic project recently. I had the honor of creating the logo design for the first major fundraising event being produced with the Phoenix Philanthropists: Rise Up for the Homeless and Hungry. This event is meant to bring awareness and action to the homeless and hunger situation in the Phoenix metro area.

The event will be a 24-25 hour marathon of standing out in the heat of the Arizona summer to bring awareness and show people what it is like to deal with the extreme summer elements here. Proceeds and food donations will benefit St. Mary's Food Bank and other donations, like clothing, will benefit Children First Academy.

I am so happy to have been able to help out. Working with Thomas, the event organizer, was a real pleasure. He knew just what he wanted to convey and is so passionate about this event and for his community, it was very humbling.

Here are some of my sketches while working on this project:

initial sketchbook ideas

3 logo options for review

The event is tentatively set for June 4th & 5th, which is the week of St. Mary's Hunger Action Day and also the kickoff week of their "Send Hunger Packing" campaign for the summer. This will also be a great kick-off event for their summer water drive. There will be entertainment throughout the event ranging from movies, bands, karaoke, vendors, educational speakers, etc. Participants will raise pledge money for their efforts. Spectators and visitors to the event can participate in raffles, drop-off donations and participate in other ways to support the cause.

bread art project

My sunflower toast artwork is on display at the Bread Art Project (and it can be rated by viewers)! The Bread Project was created by the Grain Foods Foundation to help increase awareness of the growing hunger problem in the United States. In an effort to help end hunger in the United States, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $50,000 to Feeding America. An additional donation of $1 will be made for each piece of bread art submitted.

Click to make your own bread art. Participating in this important initiative helps make the Bread Art Project successful. Because of caring people like you and me, the Grain Foods Foundation on track to help Feeding America provide 1 million pounds of groceries to deserving Americans.

Visit the Bread Art Project

Visit the Grain Foods Foundation

To make an additional personal donation to Feeding America, please visit their website at http://help.feedingamerica.org/gowiththegrain

tempe festival of the arts

Bert and I were out and about around the valley today. After dropping the kids off at preschool we headed out to do our weekly food shopping. Then, we ventured out to the Tempe Festival of the Arts. After some big time ooooing and ahhhing and a bite to eat we stopped by booth #5571 to see our friends Carla and Mark of Black Mountain Jewelry. They fitted me for a gorgeous necklace they are designing for me! They were located in a corner position and the booth looked great! The setup was really welcoming and their jewelry shined. We did not get much chatting in because they were so wonderfully busy!

Merlin by Phil Lewis Art

Bert fell in love with this painting by Phil Lewis of his dog, Merlin. Phil's artwork was bright and full of fun. I have to agree with Bert, Merlin is a wonderful piece. He looks a lot like our pooch Chloe and really made us smile. I fell in love with a framing technique I saw by another artist (description: small canvas with black painted sides set into a slightly larger box wood frame with the background painted black). I started thinking of how I can achieve a similar look but, possibly using some salvaged wood. It would have been lovely to peruse their all day but, we had an important event we were off too!

This afternoon Bert & I volunteered our time at Washington Elementary in Phoenix to help with their Accelerated Reading (AR) "Store". Students participate in an AR program which encourages them to read independently at a reading level that is appropriate for them. The students read and accumulate points. These points can be used to "purchase" prizes as a reward for their good reading habits. We worked in the "store" and assisted the kids with their "shopping" and the usage of their points. The easiest way to explain this is we were like Chuck E. Cheese ticket people - taking the awarded tickets and explaining which prizes the child can choose. I know that position all to well as I worked the Chuck E. Cheese ticket booth in high school! It was a nice way to get out and help in our community and be together. I really enjoyed helping out and doing so along side Bert made it even sweeter.

I belong to a volunteer meetup group that posted this opportunity to help on their calendar. It was my first event with the Phoenix Philanthropists and am looking forward to the enriching opportunities I'll have with them!

inspiring true story

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

This true story was inspiring. The story of one incredible man's love for mountain climbing, that leads to the adventure of a lifetime. He and his wife (who is also a hero in her own right) are awesome.

I LOVE ...

* Stories about far-away places and learning the variety of cultures.

* People with crazy missions who stop at nothing to accomplish their goals. It is amazing how much one person can change so many lives.

* The way Mortenson adapted to the Islamic culture, learned the languages, dressed the part, and even learned to pray to Allah.

* Most Importantly, I love the idea of fighting the war on terror through education instead of violence.

It found it interesting to read how the Taliban is using the same tactics as Mortenson in order to win support in these rural areas - and they are winning. They have already established tons of schools called madrassas, barring women and teaching only Islam and warfare. Giving these people schools where you learn basic skills instead of extremist propaganda would be the best step toward a long-term solution for peace.

Purchases of Three Cups of Tea made through this link on Amazon.com will generate up to 7% of proceeds to benefit CAI. Click Here

To learn more and donate to a worthy cause, check out the author's non-profit organization Central Asia Institute.

yes, we can!

Obamicon.Me is a neat-o Web app that lets you put your image in the style of the famed Shepard Fairey Obama poster. Just upload a photo, then choose a word to go with it. So fun, I couldn't resist trying it! Make your own at obamiconme.pastemagazine.com.

I tied to volunteer my time last night at the Mesa United Food Bank but, unfortunately there was a mix up. I arrived at 6:30 pm and saw a note on the door that United Food Bank did not post the call to volunteer on the usaservice.org website. They apologized and gave me a name of someone to call and sign up to be notified directly from United Food Bank when they need volunteers. I was happy I got out and tried to help but, bummed I didn't actually get to do anything. I would have offered my time elsewhere had I known. Since they didn't post the event on the website they had no way of contacting the 37 people that signed up to let them know not to come.

I'm going to take a mid morning break and go watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama with CNN. An estimated 2 million supporters have gathered to watch Obama take the oath of office at noon! January 20th, 2009, we will all stand together with a new President in celebration of our common values, shared aspirations and the hope Americans feel that the course of our nation will change. I hope you too are able to watch history unfold!

renew america together initiative

I just signed up for updates about Barack Obama's Renew America Together initiative. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.usaservice.org

I will be volunteering my time on Monday night at the United Food Bank Hunger Busters to help end hunger in the East Valley! I will sort and pack donations from food drives to distribute to those who need it most. Volunteers act as quality control - making sure food products are in good condition. I am excited for the opportunity to participate and give much-needed support.

Starting January 21, Starbucks will salute everyone who pledges 5 volunteer hours with a free Tall brewed cup of coffee. Starbucks and HandsOn Network are launching a campaign to support the President-elect’s call for national service. Working together, we can create the change we all wish to see.

adopt a family

Ethan & I joined our friends Sarah, Anna and Jessica to deliver Christmas decorations galore to our Adopt-A-Family. They were most appreciative. All of the kids came out and gathered around and I can just picture that they will have a nice night together decorating.

My mom's group signed up to provide assistance to a local family this Christmas. We are chipping in together to provide a Christmas tree, wreath and decorations, food for their Christmas dinner and gifts for the family members. My friend Jessica belongs to a church that offers the Adopt-A-Family program and she signed us up as a group to help this family.

The History of Adopt-A-Family

Adopt-A-Family was created to address the needs of low-income households -children and families during the holidays and times of need. Many of the families applying for assistance are facing financial hardships and are unable to afford a Christmas dinner or new toys and warm clothing for their children. Some are single parent families with very low income and some are large families where a parent has been laid off from their job. Year after year, Adopt-A-Family programs offer the gifts of hope, encouragement and caring to those needing it most.

sending love & support

Julie, a friend from my East Valley Hip Mamas Meetup Group, invited us over to her home for a wonderful event. She belongs to a Navy Moms online support group and found out about this website where you can "adopt" a serviceman / woman. There are many men and women who are deployed overseas and are living without many things that we take for granted. Last Friday, we put together care packages to send overseas.

Julie had group members drop things off at her home before the date and the 6 of us that got together to put the packages together all brought donations. We packaged up 12 boxes with food, tea, hot chocolate, condiments, toiletries, magazines, blank greeting cards, books, DVD's and beanie babies (soldiers carry these to give to children they meet while deployed). It was awesome. I am so happy to have helped. Thanks to Julie for getting this together and for all those in the EVHM group who donated time, items & money for postage!