Garage Sale to Benefit the Sister Carmen Community Center

The Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) is a non-profit food bank and thrift store that provides assistance to the residents of East Boulder County, and it is the area's only comprehensive emergency assistance center that has been serving the community for over 30 years. In addition to the food bank and thrift store, the SCCC also provides rent/mortgage assistance, legal counseling, free HIV testing, mammograms, diabetes screening, and more.

A friend and I pooled our resources and held a garage sale to raise money for the SCCC. The money from the proceeds of the sale of old computer equipment, printers, small kitchen appliances, etc. was used to purchase a wide range of consumables such as canned food, toiletries, diapers, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter medicines, and toys from a local grocer. These were then donated directly to the SCCC food bank and thrift store. The leftover items from the garage sale were contributed to the Community Center as well.

This activity was a good reminder to me of how senseless it is to hold on to so many things that just collect dust in closets, cupboards, and drawers, especially when they could benefit someone else. What's the point in keeping all those CDs I never listen to and books I'll never read again? At least by selling or donating them, I get something back - whether it be a little bit of money, or better yet, the good feelings and good will that come from giving to others - not to mention, it is a great way to help unclutter my home in the process.

Mediterranean Sage Removal Project

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) is a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for people to come together, learn about their natural environment, and take direct action to restore and care for the land. WRV organizes about forty projects per year, completing a wide variety of important habitat restoration and conservation work in and around the Northern Colorado Front Range. Projects can be a single day, but some may last a weekend or longer with camping in spectacular mountain settings.

On Saturday, May 9th, I participated in a single day project to help reduce the population of Mediterranean Sage in Boulder County. Left unchecked, this weed aggressively invades grasslands, reduces native plant populations, degrades wildlife habitat and affects the overall health of prairie ecosystems.

With shovels in hand, an army of 50 or so volunteers spent the day combing an area on and around Table Mountain to dig out this invasive weed one plant at a time. It was a beautiful, sun-drenched day with spectacular views of the mountains and a great opportunity to meet other volunteers and contribute to a good cause.

Dining Out for Life - April 30, 2009

Dining Out For Life is an annual fundraising event where more than 2,500 restaurants across the U.S. donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special night of dining to local non-profits. Over $2 million dollars a year is raised to support the missions of local AIDS organizations throughout North America.

On April 30th, I participated in this event by dining at Duo, one of over 300 Denver-Boulder area restaurants that took part in the event. I had a fantastic steak dinner and tasty dessert, and 25% of the food bill went to Project Angel Heart whose mission is to deliver nutritious meals at no cost to those coping with life threatening illness. This Dining Out for Life event raised an estimated $380,000 for Project Angel Heart.

What a fun and easy way to contribute to a great cause and to get together with friends, socialize, and have a delicious meal all at the same time!