2010 Governor’s State Employees Food Drive

Yikes. The Food Drive begins on Monday…and I’m just about ready! I have spent every night this week after work, creating and planning. Since we only have 10 people in our office, I have come up with 6 “mini-events” to raise money and gather food.

The highlight will hopefully be the Valentine’s Day event. I even twisted Mike’s arm and he is planning to participate in this one. And Betty has offered to contribute as well. I bet you’re wondering what I have planned, huh???

Too bad, you’ll have to wait!

Our Arrival in Salem, Oregon 2009

One year ago today we pulled into Salem, Oregon to begin the next chapter of the life I share with Mike and Sitka.

Mike’s health has improved significantly, same with the quality of his life. He is my rock and he makes me laugh.

Sitka is getting on in years (she's 12 this year) and her back legs are not as strong as they used to be. Her memory, hearing and vision appear to be failing. But she still knows I’m her mama.

It’s drizzly, cool and cloudy – perfect for sitting on the deck, bundled in our jeans and sweatshirts sipping on hot coffee.

Our apartment is warm, clean, and full of everything we need or want.

The adventure continues.

From My Desk

I’m sitting in my nice, warm office, with coffee brewing. I sat down to a state-of-the-art computer and network. I have every supply I need to do my job. I have full coverage, quality health insurance for Mike and myself at no cost to us. My work is interesting and challenging and I feel like I am helping.

From my desk I can see a homeless person sleeping on a bench next to the creek, in the rain, with their belongings stuffed under the bench. I haven’t noticed this before. It is bothering me.

Food Bank Fundraisers

Since May when I began working for the State of Oregon’s Employment Department and talking to Oregon citizens that are battling for Unemployment Insurance benefits, I have heard many poignant and heartbreaking stories. Due to the depressed economy people are losing their jobs, homes, and sometimes their children are sent to live with relatives because families are unable to provide for their own children. It really gets to me. But an opportunity has arisen and I’m up for the challenge.

The February 2010 State Employees Food Drive begins on February 1st and I have volunteered to be the Food Drive Coordinator for the Employment Appeals Board. There is a huge need for food assistance here in Oregon. In fact, there has been a 30% increase in the demand for emergency food boxes in some parts of the state. Plus, 36% of those eating from emergency food boxes were children. And, just $10 provides a 3-5 day supply of food for a family.

That said, I need to start brainstorming ideas about how to get my office to participate so that we can collect money and food for our local food bank. We are a small team of just 10 and I need ideas for fundraisers. And I mean besides just asking for $$ or cans of food. I wonder what other activities we could do to raise money…

Who has some ideas??? Who has done this before and what worked for you?? I would love to hear from you with a comment on the blog or with an email to me at chizillin@att.net. Thank you and I will post about the fundraising so that other people may benefit from our experience.