Christmas Card to an Injured Soldier

Send a Christmas card to an injured U.S. soldier who is spending the holidays in the hospital.

These men and women have given up so much, can we give just a couple minutes of our time and enough money for a stamp to let them know we are thankful for them and that we are praying for them?

Send to:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington DC 20307-5001

10th Annual Silent Auction & Chili Supper

Benefiting West Des Moines Human Services

Please join us on Thursday, December 4th beginning at 5:30p.m. for the Metro area’s’ best chili ($5 per person)catered by Palmer’s Deli & market. Once with us you will be able to bid ($5 to get a number) on Silent Auction items as listed below, just to name a few. At 7:30p.m. the live auction will start.

Live auction items include a 2009 Diamond Back Sorento Bike (includes Bell Solar Helmet, Dirt Bag, water bottle and Free Tune-Up) from Rasmussen’s Bike Shop, West Des Moines; a weekend get-away to The Wisconsin Dells Kalahari Resort, and a 12 piece ceramic nativity scene.

Sporting Events:
4 Regular Season Non-Conference Reserved Women’s Basketball Tickets (excludes Iowa);
2 Regular Season Non-Conference Reserved Men’s Basketball Tickets (excludes Iowa, Butler, Bracketbuster);
4 Tickets to the 2009 Drake Relays;
4 Tickets to the Iowa Energy Game;
4 Tickets to the 2009 Principal Charity Golf Classic;
4 Tickets to a 2008 - 2009 Iowa Chops game;
4 Tickets to the Iowa Bucs with 4 t-shirts.

Exercise/Health & Wellness:
Rolling Hills Golf Course (Norwalk) - 4 passes for 18 holes of golf with cart;
Sahar’s - One hour Swedish massage;
Willow Creek - 4 Rounds of Golf;
Family Season Pass for the WDM Valley View and Holiday Aquatic Centers;
(2) Four month Adult individual memberships; Aspen Athletic Club - Six month individual membership;
Fitness World West - 3 month individual membership

Dining Out:
Billy Joe’s Pitcher Show - 1 large single topping pizza and a pitcher of pop;
One dozen bagels for 10 months from Brueger’s;
Bravo! - Dinner Certificate for two;
The Cheesecake Factory - Dinner Certificate;
Panera Bread - $10 gift certificate;
The General Store - 8 Box Lunches;
Gift Certificates to Baker’s Square

Hotel Stays:
Des Moines Marriott Downtown - Complimentary One Night Stay on Friday or Saturday & Breakfast for Two;

Comfort Suites at Living History Farms - Complimentary Double or King Suite;

One night stay in a deluxe room at the Stoney Creek Inn

Entertainment:
2 Tickets to the Civic Center presentation;
DM Playhouse - 2 Tickets to DOUBT, A Parable;
The Fleur Cinema and Café – 4 Tickets and concessions

Other items include:
Beautiful Holiday Floral Arrangement from Hy-Vee Floral and Petal Perfect; Handmade Holiday quilt; Handmade Southwestern Quilt; Isabel Bloom sculpture of the Carolers; Resin Nativity sculptures with scripture; Autographed 2008 Principal Charity Classic Print; Coffee Barn Roasterie - Coffee Basket; various gift baskets

West Des Moines Human Services Silent Auction

Thursday, December 4

5:00 - 8:00pm

West Des Moines Human Services
318 5th Street
WDM, IA

Spend the evening browsing through historic Valley Junction during the Holiday Open House. Stop in to Human Services to bid on some fabulous items in the silent auction and stay for the live auction.

I will post a list of auction items when I get it.

Emergency Items Collection for Postville Families

Postville Raid Victims are in Need of Your Help

After the raid on May 12, 2008 there were about 389 immigrants detained, including woman in their children.

Women were forced to wear ankle bracelet and to remain under home arrest until an immigration judge decides their individual case.

At this time they still remain in this country, unable to work, and they are struggling to provide for their children and themselves.

Because of this reason, ICADV is having an emergency items collection to help these families in need.

Items needed:

Household and personal hygiene items such as:
Detergent
Bleach
Dish soap
Shampoo
Tooth paste
Diapers size 4 and 5

New Clothing and toys
Winter clothing for children aged 12 months to 18 years old

Food:
Pasta, dry beans, rice, cooking oil, and other food items that do not required being refrigerated

(Latino food is greatly appreciated)


ICADV is having an emergency items collection on:

Date: November 28, 2008
Time: 4:00pm -7:00 pm
Place: La Tapatia (Mexican Store) 1440 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA

&

Date: November 30, 2008
Time: 1:00 am – 3:00 pm
Place: La Tapatia (Mexican Store) 1440 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA

Band Aid Drive

The Heart Connection is looking for boxes of "character" band-aids, e.g. Dora, Spongebob, etc. for the kids at Blank Childrens' Hospital.

Contact Olivia at livstro@hotmail.com if you want to donate some boxes.

We all know how much a brightly-colored band-aid can cheer up a little one!!!

WDM Human Services Silent Auction Items Needed

Please donate to the WDM Human Services' Annual Silent Auction, which will be held Dec. 4th.

We are looking for items in the $50 - $500 range.

WDM Human Services does so much for our community! Please help if you can.

Items such as restaurant gift cards, art, sports tickets or memoribilia, hotel stays, etc.

*Special request for Iowa or Iowa State basketball tickets

contact Olivia at livstro@hotmail.com if you can help!

Thanks

Wrap Gifts to Benefit The Heart Connection

Please volunteer your time for a worthy cause!

Help out at The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Program's Gift Wrap Booth at Valley West Mall.

The following shifts still need to be filled:

Fri, Nov 28 9:45-4
Sat, Nov 29 8:45-3, 2:45-9
Sun, Nov 30 2-6Wed, Dec 3 4-9
Thurs, Dec 4 9:45-4
Fri, Dec 5 9-4
Sun, Dec 7 2-6
Mon, Dec 8 9-4
Wed, Dec 10 9-3:30, 3:30-9
Fri, Dec 12 8:45-4, 4-10
Sat, Dec 13 3:30-10
Sun, Dec 14 2-7
Mon, Dec 15 9-3:30
Wed, Dec 17 3-10
Thurs, Dec 18 9-3:30, 3:30-10
Fri, Dec 19 9-1
Sat, Dec 20 8-1
Sun, Dec 21 10-3
Mon, Dec 22 4-10
Tue, Dec 23 4-10
Wed, Dec 24 8-12, 12-5

contact Brecka at: brecka@childrenscancerprograms.com for more information or if you want to sign up!

Awareness Event for National Adoption Month

For All HIS Children: A Community Outreach for National Adoption Month

There are very real children globally as well as right here in our own community who desperately need families of their own. Because the public is so often unaware of these kids and their needs, we would like to draw special attention to waiting children during National Adoption Awareness Month in the hope that we can unite many of these young people with permanent, adoptive parents.

An awareness event in support of National Adoption Month has been planned to bring together adoptive and foster families as well as organizations and adoption advocates across Iowa. Jordan Creek Church in West Des Moines has collaborated with (IFAPA) Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Iowa Kids Net and Children and Families of Iowa-Elevate to promote foster/adoption in our community.

Foster/adoptive families, families considering foster/adoption-globally and locally as well as supporters and adoption advocates are encouraged to attend this unique event.

Come enjoy special music, prayer and reflection, knowledgeable guest speakers as well as local organization and agency representatives with materials available for those interested in learning more about adoption/foster care.

Open Invitation! Come and celebrate permanency in the life of a child!! All families welcome.

*Childcare available.

*Door prizes and more!!

Location:Jordan Creek Church 475 68th Street West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Sunday November 9, 2008 3:30-5:00

For additional details please contact Carla Tripp with About A Child Adoption Services at Carla@aboutachild.org or 515 221 2231.

Please support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk by attending Taste of Cabaret at West Glen. Tickets are $15 and 100% of the ticket sales goes toward Light The Night.
Tickets will be available at the door on Thursday, September 25th at 6p.m.

SUCCESS! Garage Sale & Bake Sale

YEAH!!! - The garage sale was GREAT!!! A HUGE success! Julie sold LOTS of her stuff with only some small things and a couple of big items left which the big things will be going on Craigslist soon! THANK YOU to all who brought goodies and who came to buy and donate!! :) - - Our bake sale went great too!! :)

Garage Sale & Bake Sale to Benefit Breast Cancer

A garage sale is being held Saturday, September 13, from 8am - 2pm at 505 4th Street in Waukee. All proceeds from the garage sale will benifit Julie Stutzman, who was diagnosed with a very rare and invasive form of breast cancer. Julie is only in her 30's and has small children at home. The funds raised will be a big help for her and her family as she battles cancer.

In addition to the garage sale, a bake sale will be held to raise additional money. Any baked goods donations would be much appreciated. If you would like to donate food or money, please contact Lori at lnhamann2001@msn.com, or 987-8695.

Please see garage sale ad below:

**********************************************************************************

DAYCARE CLOSING!!! There are MANY great items for sale... baby/toddler items including a changing table, baby swing, LIKE NEW 4 SEAT STROLLER, pac n play, high chairs (CHICCO), TOYS - TOYS - TOYS, arts and crafts supplies, safety items to name a few.

There will also be storage items, shelves, kids clothing, home décor, kitchen items, older kitchen table and chairs, area rugs, etc. Household items... such as air purifier, cd-radio, and much more!This is a sale you do NOT want to miss!!! Childcare providers, parents, grandparents, there is something for everyone!!

Stop by 505 4th STREET in Waukee and see what items you would like for yourself or someone you know on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th from 8am-2pm.


SORRY NO Pre-sales...
We also will not be responding to this ad -
you must come to the sale if you are interested in any items!

Aaron Eilerts' Parents Selling T-shirts to Rebuild Camp

The family of an Iowa Boy Scout killed in a tornado at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch is raising money to help rebuild the camp.

The parents of Aaron Eilerts designed a t-shirt to help with the fundraiser.

The t-shirts are lime green and feature a purple print. They cost $14 each, which $7 from each sale going to rebuild the camp.

Anyone interested in buying a shirt can send a check for $14 dollars to the Aaron Eilerts Service and Giving Foundation, 900 S. Jackson Avenue, Eagle Grove, Iowa, 50533

To view shirts, go to:

http://www.kcci.com/news/16846945/detail.html

Theme Song for this Blog

I wish desperately that I could figure out a way to have this song play when you visit this blog, but to no avail....

So, I will just make a recommendation, listen to:

Shed A Little Light
by James Taylor

listen here for free:

http://www.last.fm/music/James+Taylor/_/Shed+a+Little+Light

watch the video here:

http://www.last.fm/music/James+Taylor/_/Shed+a+Little+Light/+videos/+1-p18qu4Te9j4

This song captures the essence of this site!

Thank you for your donations for the Homeless

Thanks so much to everyone who donated items for us to take down to the "Catholic Worker House" where we help provide dinner once a month to the homeless folks and others in need.

Here's what we were able to give thanks to your generous contributions:
1 Tent
2 Sleeping Bags
2 Blankets
40 hats
7 pairs of shoes
16 pairs of pants
4 coats
28 shirts
2 rain ponchos
11 bottles of sunscreen
Bugspray
2 Sunglasses

Not five minutes after the guys carried all the stuff into the house, a man came up to us and asked if we knew where he could get a winter coat. It felt great to tell him he could just step inside and take one!

The "director" told us that this was stuff would go fast!

So, again, thank you all so much and in the words of one man I met last night, "God bless you and I know He will!"

SUCCESS: Alex's Lemonade Stand

In less than a week, ClubHOPE raised over $5000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand, funding for pediatric cancer research. At the WDM HyVee on Saturday alone, they raised $1700!!!!

Thank you to all who came out to show your support and have some lemonade!!

Stand Up To Cancer With The Heart Connection

Stand Up To Cancer With The Heart Connection: All friends of The Heart Connection and anyone who has an interest in the fight against cancer are invited to join us, along with ABC5, as we stand up to cancer! Please join The Heart Connection on September 5 from 6:00-8:30, as we kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month at the Cub Club (One Line Drive, Principal Park). From 6:00-7:00 The Heart Connection, local celebrities, and other cancer and health related organizations will be on hand to educate attendees how to Stand Up to Cancer on right here in Iowa. At 7:00 TVs will be turned to the national "Stand Up To Cancer" show on ABC5. This unprecedented event will be aired on all three major television networks. Appetizers will be provided. Please come join us for networking, education, food, and fun. Help Wanted:The Heart Connection has quite a few events coming up that we need assistance with! Please let us know if one interests you!

Living History Farms Seeks Item Donations

As a non-profit we rely on donations to keep us running. There are a few items that we are searching for that we do not have a budget to purchase this year. Donations to us are tax deductable and we would be happy to send you a letter for just such a purpose! We are trying to find someone with an old fashioned Ice Cream Maker for our day camp. We would really like one that could be cranked by hand. Also, we are short of coolers. We take Sarsaparilla to the Farmers Markets and we are in desperate need of a few more for the State Fair this year. We would love the kind that have wheels as they get REALLY heavy when they are full. Our Special Events team is in need of a large stand up commercial size popcorn popper/maker. We would love to be able to serve popcorn at our Halloween, Easter, Apple Picking Celebrations. Also on our wish list we would love to find a golf cart, new or used that could be gifted to the farms. Our day camp program has children that occasionally have some special needs and have trouble getting from one place to the next and so parts of the farms are hard to access by car. A golf cart would really help this program allow kids with greater physical challenges to attend. We are everyone's farm and we hope you will consider helping us continue to grow! Thanks in advance.-LHF Staffers

contact info:

website: http://www.lhf.org/

phone: 515) 278-5286

email: Donations and Development: giving@lhf.org

Alex's Lemonade Stand

From the Krueger Family Carepage:

Our hearts are especially heavy this week and go out to the Whipple family here in Des Moines. They are members of our newly formed support group, ClubHOPE. Their daughter Ashlyn, 2, “earned her angel wings” Saturday. It obviously hits so close to home and this is our first child in the group that has lost their battle. This family not only has had this unbelievable fight, but her twin sister Addison has also been battling cancer and is now in remission thankfully. In honor of Ashlyn, we ask that you visit one of the 3 Alex’s Lemonade Stands that are being hosted by several of our ClubHOPE families this Saturday, August 9th from 10-3. They will all be located at HyVee stores: West Des Moines: 1700 Valley West Drive, Urbandale: 8601 Douglas Ave. Altoona: 100 8th St. SW. Alex’s Lemonade Stand is an organization that supports pediatric cancer research and was started by a little girl that had cancer, Alex, to raise pediatric research funds. It is an incredible story and although Alex lost her fight with cancer, this amazing organization lives on in her name. For more information visit: http://www.alexslemonade.org/ Please stop by for a refreshing glass of lemonade and meet many of our cancer survivors and their siblings…they will be doing the serving! We have also set up a website if you would like to donate, but cannot attend. www.firstgiving.com/alsfdesmoines . We will be at the West Des Moines location from 12-3 and Will cannot wait! He is so excited to have a “real lemonade stand!” This uninvited monster has crept into our lives and so many others as well. With your help we maintain the HOPE that there will someday be a cure to this awful disease. We will plan to see you there and if you cannot attend, please consider making a donation-even $10 can make a difference. Let’s get rid of this monster in honor of Ashlyn! Thank you.

The Starfish Story

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean.""I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."---Loren Eiseley

Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry School Supplies Program

For the third year in a row the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry will be helping families provide school supplies for their children. Last year the Food Pantry helped over 50 children by supplying back packs filled with needed school items. Please consider providing a back pack or other school items for those in need. If you would like to partner with the food pantry in this effort, please contact Melissa at 321-0894. If someone you know is in need, please ask them to contact the pantry by email at foodpantry@westview.org or by calling 515-321-0894.

Thanks!!

~Nicole

Meals From the Heartland

Sign up for a 2-hour shift and be a part of something BIG!!!

http://www.mealsfromtheheartland.org/

September 1 - 9, 2008

HyVee Hall, Des Moines, IA

Collecting Gear

We're collecting stuff to take down to the homeless camps. Due to all the recent flooding, the homeless people who camp along the river in Des Moines, have lost what few possessions they had. Please help us gather the following items:

hats
shoes
bug spray
sunscreen
rain gear
camping gear

Post your reply or email me at livstro@hotmail.com if you have items to donate! Thanks!