Over the Edge - Gamehaven, Boyscouts

I went "Over the Edge" in support of the Gamehaven, Boyscouts.  Over $15,500 was raised (and counting - I still have a stash from direct hand donations to hand over!) This event was incredible and ....terrifying. Just like a Boy Scout learning a life skill of - courage- I tapped into my brave soul in order to complete this.

I want to thank all of you who supported and helped donate money towards this wonderful cause/event. I am constantly impressed with Rochester and the surrounding communities and beyond. Thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for supporting our children and youth. Thank you for being the 1.

Here are pics of my experience....yes...that IS a look of terror on my face. Haha

Getting my gear on

Yes. I am the small dot on the side of the building.

Almost at the bottom! Thank Goodness! haha

Volunteer Corner: Community Food Response

Community Food Response

In this week's Volunteer Corner, I'm showcasing Community Food Response (CFR). If you enjoy driving and are one of those "clean your plate" or "don't waste food" sorts of mentalities, this would be a great fit for you. 

Community Food Response (CFR) collects excess prepared food (which normally would be thrown away) from restaurants, schools, hospitals and supermarkets, and makes it available to hungry adults and children in Rochester. We do this with a small budget and no paid staff.

In 2009 alone nearly 100 TONS of food were collected and redistributed!

CFR depends completely on volunteers like you. Every weekday, DRIVERS collect the food in picnic coolers and bring it to Bethel Lutheran Church.

We especially need DRIVERS. You would need to be able to commit one afternoon per month, on a regular basis, to help with this important service to hungry Rochester families.

AGE OF VOLUNTEER: 18 or older. COMMITMENT: 1 day per month. DAYS OF WEEK: Flexible weekdays. TIME OF DAY: Afternoon, about 1 to 3 p.m. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Ability to lift 40 pounds, drivers license, and vehicle.

Click here for more information.

"I'm Busy"

What's ironic is that this blog entry was suppose to happen last Friday, but I "got" too busy. Isn't that how life is sometimes? Our lives just come sweeping by fast with commitments to other activities, work, routines, etc. and we often wonder where the time went? It's already close to midnight :-p

This blog entry explains how to make volunteering a priority - or at least a goal ;)

In today's society, volunteering isn't priority. In fact, often times, when I've participated in disaster recovery or coordinating events, you can bet you'll hear "We need more volunteers" uttered frequently. Some people help, but many more people could.

Most people think, "Oh, there's enough people to help" or "even if I don't help, there's other people out there that will"

But, why not BE the 1, too?

This is my challenge to readers out there, that may be "too busy" to volunteer:

 - Instead of mowing your lawn, go volunteer for 2 hours.

 - Instead of going to a happy hour, skip it this week and go volunteer for an hour.

 - Instead of sleeping in on Saturday, get up bright and early....and volunteer for several hours.

 - Instead of playing on Facebook or Twitter ;-) go volunteer for a half day in a natural crises, disaster.


Assume that help is needed. Don't make being  "too busy" an excuse. Volunteer to help someone or an organization in need -- > today.  :)

BE the 1.  Check out the Volunteer Corner and register right now (stop reading this blog!!)

Volunteer Corner: Boys & Girls Club of Rochester

Each week, I'll be spotlighting a volunteer opportunity. The reason for this is to showcase a variety of volunteer positions and to learn to match up your talents and interests, creating a volunteer opportunity that you can enjoy. If you enjoy what you are doing, you'll end up doing it more!

For this week's Volunteer Corner - I'm spotlighting Art Lovers Needed.


ART LOVERS NEEDED

If you still get excited by a brand new box of crayons, find sketching relaxing or love to do crafts, then the Boys & Girls Club Arts Room needs your creative spirit. Work with kids ages 6-12 years on a broad spectrum of visual art and craft projects. Volunteers are needed to plan and execute fun art projects! Your creative project ideas are welcome! This can be a one time event or an ongoing program.

AGE OF VOLUNTEER: 18 and older. COMMITMENT: flexible, 1 hour (or more) per week. DAY OF WEEK: flexible, Monday through Friday. TIME OF DAY flexible ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: An interest arts and crafts. Application and background check are required.

Click here for more information

Be The 1

Interesting title, huh? Be the 1. What does that mean? It's simple. Be the 1 = to volunteer. Be the 1 = to lift a hand. Be the 1 =  to make a difference. Be the 1 = to inspire.


Some of you may not know me, and some of you may! I'll share a little about myself, why this blog got started and what the plans are for it. :)

Left: Alissa Cornell (my best friend and volunteer
sidekick) Right: Me :)

My name is Danielle Teal . I live in Rochester, Minnesota and I love this city with all my heart. I work full time at the Mayo Clinic as a Web Production specialist, I do stand up comedy, I'm a mom and most of all - I enjoy Being the 1 = I'm a volunteer for United Way of Olmsted County.

This blog got started after a friend of mine, Dave Beal, Vice-President, Communication and Advocacy, of United Way of Olmsted County and I sat down for lunch a couple of months ago to discuss the Running Start for School event to occur in August 2011. I explained to him that I wanted a way I could inspire others to give back. I very much wanted a platform to really impact not just one person...but many. We all have busy lives. I wanted to showcase how you can be busy - yet make volunteering a priority for yourself, with your significant other or with your family. I get asked ALL THE TIME by my friends on how they can volunteer, what volunteer opportunities am I doing at the moment, etc.

I'm a web geek. I'm funny. I love to volunteer! What better way then to start a blog. The internets have billions of people! Our hope is to touch many lives. <3

And, so,  Dave asked me if I'd like to be a Volunteer Champion. What does that mean? It means I'm here to MOTIVATE people to volunteer. To inspire people to work along side of United Way of Olmsted County and I.

And those that know me know - when I do something - I do it BIG. There will be an announcement coming really soon about how YOU can Be the 1.