Get out the vote

I received an email yesterday from Bo's piano teacher telling me about an Obama rally at Queens University in Myers Park at noon on Friday, October 31, that will conclude with driving students to the voting station at CPCC. This started me on a quest to find other ways to volunteer to drive voters (no matter what their political preference) to the polls.

It is harder to find this than you might think. In fact, I could not find a local Republican site that gave a contact to do this. I would suggest going to www.meckgop.com or calling the NC Victory 2008 office (704-910-0696) to find out how to help specifically Republican voters.

The www.my.barackobama.com website (the official campaign site) does help you search for events in or near your ZIP code that included driving opportunities. I also found a site called www.obamacarpool.com that helps link up drivers and voters in Charlotte.

For nonpartisan driving, consider contacting your church. If I were a person looking for a ride, this is who I would call. You may be able to supply the missing link! You may also know an elderly neighbor who could use a ride.

Site comment: my computer is temporarily out of commission, and I am writing this on a Mac that does not appear to support cut-and-paste, so I can't provide the links. You'll have to type them in yourself! Sorry.

To do: Make your car an HOV as you go to vote!

Warm fuzzies

I walked in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend. This taught me a lot about the importance of support from the sidelines. Next time a walk comes through my neighborhood I will try a little harder, rather than being put out that roads are congested or closed. Here are some things people did that we walkers really appreciated:

1. JUST BEING THERE. Really, just having a group of random people (who may or may not have known anyone walking) cheering in a driveway was a real pick-me-up. Especially on day 2, I almost wanted to hug everyone who was out there (and I am not a hugger).

2. A sign or two. We loved the "Go walkers!" or "Thank you!" signs. Ditto the balloons.

3. People who dressed in pink. I loved seeing people with pink boas and funny hats out in their yards, cheering us on. Event-appropriate gear was great.

4. A treat or two. The Dunkin' Donuts stand in one driveway? AWESOME. The homemade cookies with pink M&Ms in them? AWESOME. The candy? AWESOME. Water? As it turned out on this walk we all had to carry water bottles, but I think for most walks this would be very much appreciated.

5. And finally, I appreciated my husband, who drove the route with my kids waving out the windows yelling "Go walkers!" He went way beyond the call of duty, but it made my day to see them cheering everyone on. Frankly, it meant more to me that he taught them the importance of support of everyone than it did that they were cheering for me personally.

To do: Be an athletic supporter

Be a part of PLCMC

During the first week in November, the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) is hosting a series of community forums to develop a Facilities Master Plan. (Click here to see the blog about it). They say, "If you attend one of the hour-long sessions listed below, you’ll be asked which libraries you use, the strengths of those libraries, and ways we can improve those libraries to give you a more satisfying experience. You’ll also be asked how the Library can be a more convenient resource - this could be anything from ideas for renovations or expansions to existing libraries to locations for all-new branches."

Lately, I've been trying to use the library instead of the bookstore. After I read the NY Times Book Review on Sunday, I hop onto the library website (PLCMC web site) and search the card catalog for books that looked interesting. I can reserve the books and have them delivered to a convenient branch. The library calls me when they come in.

Also, if you are voting early you may be voting at a library location. Voting (and parking) has been so busy at the Morrocroft branch that the library has big signs posted suggesting that you come before 11 a.m. if you actually want to use the library for books!

When I go into the main library uptown these days, I notice many homeless people around. Of course I can't find the link now, but I remember reading an article in the Charlotte Observer about homeless people frequenting the library more often to escape the extreme temperatures and also to have something interesting and worthwhile to do.

Finally, many of you have probably killed an afternoon or two with your children at Imaginon uptown, using the computers, reading the books, checking out the exhibits, to say nothing of the performances in the theaters.

In short, whether your interests are economic, social, or cultural, the library probably plays some part in your life. These meetings are an opportunity to share your thoughts about how the library can continue to expand its relevance in the community and in your daily activities.

Here are the dates and locations of the meetings:

• Saturday, Nov. 1, 9-10 a.m., Carmel Library, 6624 Walsh Blvd., (704) 416-3400
• Saturday, Nov. 1, 12-1 p.m., Mint Hill Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, (704) 416-5200
• Monday, Nov. 3, 7-8 p.m., Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive, (704) 416-4800
• Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Beatties Ford Road Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road, (704) 416-3000
• Thursday, Nov. 6, 7-8 p.m., North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, (704) 416-6000

To Do: Visit your local library branch and check out a new book! And attend a Facilities Master Plan meeting.

Hidden Gifts

I decided not to focus on a specific nonprofit organization today, but instead to suggest that you think about what gifts you can offer. Last week I was "volunteered" to help with the Oyster Roast at Bo & Ellie's school. You should know that I do not like oysters and have nothing to do with this event. However, I DO love to make posters. And I can make posters for anything! I love this kind of volunteer activity because it is a one-time deal. Give me some posterboard and a BIG magic marker and I'm in heaven.

Another volunteer project I have taken on is providing snacks for the weekly teacher meetings. This speaks to my heart because I LOVE to bake but really, I don't need any more cookies and brownies sitting around my house. I can make the treats, then pass them on! (And I get reimbursed, too.) Everybody wins.

As I was typing this, I got a phone call from a minister inviting me to a Christian Education conference. This fit so perfectly into this blog entry, because you should know that I NEVER teach Sunday School. I have zero gifts in the teaching-children department. However, she had invited me because I am--and I quote--"a good schmoozer" and thought I would be able to make some contacts for her! As it turns out, I do know several of the speakers (it's a small, small world) so I WILL be able to help! You just never know which gifts are going to come in handy...

Anyway. If you are new to an organization and looking to get involved, think about what YOU can offer. Perhaps you are a great talker, or often go grocery shopping, or play the piano or walk your dogs every day. Some of the most rewarding moments are the simplest. Bring a cup of tea over to an elderly neighbor and have a chat. Volunteer to play the piano for a Christmas carol singalong. Deliver neighborhood flyers while you walk your dog. Call a neighbor with a new baby to see if you can pick up groceries for her.

Online, I found a "Spiritual Gifts" test that lets you "discern" (if that isn't a church word, I don't know what is) what your strengths are. Yes, it is technically a questionnaire to help you figure out what to do for your church, but I think it highlights strengths that will help you in civic volunteer areas, too. This is from the United Methodist Church and the test can be found here.

To Do: Consider what your strengths are and how you can put them to use in volunteer positions.

Hands on Charlotte Day

The Annual Hands on Charlotte Day is this Saturday. The weather forecast is chilly, but put on some warm clothes and join in on a fun project that helps others. When I went to the website (click here) there were several projects still open for volunteers. These included cleaning up a cemetery in Fourth Ward, cleaning up the yards of elderly neighbors in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood (here's a map of that area), and "sprucing up" Park Road Park. Any of these would be fun to do with kids, or with a group of friends who are apartment-dwellers and have no yards of their own!

If you are interested in doing some outdoor work but not this Saturday, consider helping a friend or neighbor in need. I have a friend with three young children who is going through a divorce. Her neighbor comes over weekly and mows her lawn for her. She felt guilty at first, then realized that it was a ministry for him as well as a bonus for her! To repay him, she brings a casserole or a pan of brownies over to his family once in awhile.

To Do: Check out Hands on Charlotte, help a neighbor, or let a neighbor help you.

Loaves & Fishes

Food pantries all over are reporting increases in traffic, and Charlotte's Loaves & Fishes is no exception. You can drop off food at the Loaves & Fishes pantries at Holy Comforter in Dilworth or First Presbyterian uptown (other places, too--click here for locations).

Collecting for a food pantry is a great, tangible way to show children how to help those in need. Loaves & Fishes has an information sheet on how to run a food drive, and they will send someone to pick up the fruits of your labors. Click here to go directly to that information. What a neat thing to do with your kids on a pretty fall day! Or... run a food drive in conjunction with your neighborhood Halloween party!

If you click here you can see what Loaves & Fishes tries to give every family for a week. This will give you some good ideas of what they need from you. Priority needs include canned fruit, canned meat, pork & beans, peanut butter, soup and 100% juice.

To Do: Put some extra food in your cart and donate it to Loaves & Fishes.

See the USA in your Chevrolet (or Volvo, as the case may be)

Most of my senior-citizen family members have received some version of Meals-on-Wheels over the years. Kindergartners at Trinity Episcopal School take turns delivering meals-0n-wheels via the Charlotte program "Friendship Trays." Since I am not a "strong" driver, I avoided being a parent helper on this activity. However, once I couldn't get out of it any longer, I found that I really enjoyed it.

Friendship Trays delivers about 750 meals a day, Monday to Friday, to elderly, handicapped or convalescing people. Volunteers do most of the work, especially delivery. The current gas shortage forced Friendship Trays to double-deliver one day, but they kept going! Volunteers begin their routes between 10:30 and noon, and the routes take about 1 1/2 hours to complete.

Last year, I called Lani Lawrence, Volunteer Coordinator at Friendship Trays (704-333-9229 or llawrence@friendshiptrays.org), and asked to be put on the list as a "substitute driver" on Fridays. Lani calls every couple of weeks to see if I can help out, and if I can, I do. I show up at the Friendship Trays center just off of Remount Road with an insulated bag or cooler. I check the white board to see to which route number I've been assigned (Lani tries to give substitutes easy, convenient routes). I usually take a look at the big map on the wall to see the route, too. I reach into the big walk-in cooler for my bag of lunches. I go over to the volunteer in charge of "hot" meals--which are now quick-chilled--and he or she pulls the meals for me according to the codes on the list (meals are tailored to needs like diabetes or even "no squash"). I grab a juice or milk for each person and I'm off.

The route is VERY detailed in its directions from one house to the next. The regular drivers provide GREAT hints and helps, all of which are printed on the list ("the driveway of this house can be hard to back out of, so park on XX Street next to the house and you'll be all set to go to your next stop").

Driving around strange neighborhoods that look nothing like Myers Park can be a bit daunting, but you'll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is. Just like your neighborhood, most people are at work. Just like your neighborhood, people will call out hello and I've even been blessed by a neighbor as I delivered a meal! Neighbors have also told me when someone on the route is away or in the hospital (sometimes the message doesn't get to Friendship Trays), so I call in the update.

Many people have coolers out in front of their doors where you leave their meals if they aren't home. In fact, they have to have a cooler or you can't leave it--company rules. Most people are at home, and you exchange a friendly "hello" and "thanks" with them as you drop off their meals (my big fear was that they would look at the meal and say "Oh no, not Salisbury Steak!" or something like that--that has yet to happen).

The whole process takes less than 1 1/2 hours. And then you get to feel good for the rest of the day.

To Do: Consider being a driver for Friendship Trays. Click here.

Donate in '08!

My good friend Jen X has a blog called "Daily Mitzvah" that suggests ways to make a difference in the world--click here to check it out. Inspired by this and the needs of the Charlotte community, I thought I would experiment with a similar, local blog here. I know that our family is certainly cutting back in our giving this year, and we all know that the United Way is going to take a HUGE hit. However, the needs in our community are only going to grow.

Anyway, with that in mind, I'm going to try to highlight easy ways to help in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

I'm starting off with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, which has a brilliant local campaign going on right now called "Donate in '08." You've probably seen the signs around town that look like political campaign signs. Be sure to check out the Donate in '08 website by clicking here. I love the videos on the website, especially video #2.

Donate in '08 is great incentive to clean out your closet for the winter. I went through and finally parted with all of those outfits I had held onto in hopes that I would be back to that smaller size in the near future. I also donated outfits that had seemed right at the time, but in retrospect are totally not MY style, just IN style. ( I realize that some of you are surprised that I have a personal style...) By the time I was done, I had three boxes full of clothes that I brought over to the Goodwill truck on Randolph Road (across from the Mint Museum).

When you donate clothes (or other items), be sure to itemize everything so you can get a tax deduction. Bankrate.com has great pdf forms that you can download to estimate the value of all of your stuff, whether it is clothing or home items. Click here.

If you are like me, you may not know much about Goodwill besides the fact that it will take your unwanted clothes. On its website, I learned that Goodwill serves homeless people and people who are undereducated or have a lack of job experience, as well as those who have physical, emotional or mental disabilities. Goodwill offers occupational skills training, career development services (including how to write a resume and ESL classes) and centers with fax machines and computers. Click here to visit the main Goodwill Industries, Southern Piedmont website.

To do: Clean out those closets and Donate in '08!