“It's as American as baseball and apple pie”...and Iowa!

I've often heard that an Iowan is the heart of a true American, the example of all that is good in our great nation, the state is in the center for a reason, and that there is no group of people who are kinder, nobler, and fairer than those who are from Iowa. While this might be a slight overstatement, I was always told that the proof is in the pudding, so...

I came into the state digging out from a blizzard in Minnesota and word had it that I was going to be in for more. The drive was absolutely breathtaking with the empty fields looking like an ocean of snow. The sky was a crystallized blue and the air smelled crisp and cold. I've been down highway 59 many times before, but with all the snow and cold, it made it seem almost mythical.

The first stop was in West Des Moines where my friends Tim and Heather live. They were so kind to let me crash in their sweet Star Trek / Star Wars guest room and to provide me with hours of intelligent conversation about life and philosophy. On top of just being great friends, I was also treated to an array of award winning, home-cooked dinners. Thanks again you two!

Monday and Tuesday came and went with me not being able to volunteer at the scheduled places due to the below zero temperatures and the current influx of volunteers at the last moment. So I spent my time working on 48by48.com, prepping for the upcoming live chat event, and collecting winter gloves for an organization I was scheduled for later in the week.

I left the Des Moines area on Wednesday morning and headed for Chariton, a small town in rural, south central Iowa. I worked at First Baptist Church in Chariton for a little under five years, serving as the youth director. When I rolled into town, I headed for the church and asked what I could do. I was given a potpourri of tasks ranging from office administration to website work to moving chairs to scraping off puddy.

Churches and other places of religious worship are always looking for people to get involved with community development and charitable works and I thought it would be great to volunteer at a place I know to be instrumental in caring for their community. FBC has different ministries to help people with emergency needs like food, clothing, medical bills, housing, transportation, etc. They also work along side the Ministry Center in the community, opens their building to programs like W.I.C., sends out care packages, and is very active in the Angel Tree project around Christmas.

I'm not trying to say that they are the only ones who do this in the Lucas County area, I just want to give them credit for being an active participant in caring about the communities needs and being willing to say, “how can we help?” The are doing a good work in the area and I was excited to partner with them by volunteering in whatever area they needed the most help. One another note, it's a lot of fun to work alongside good friends. Makes the serving time go fast and the laughter doesn't hurt either.

The snow and wind came in fast and even though it was a whiteout in the country and the National Weather Service issued a no-travel warning, I braved the morning roads and headed back to Des Moines to work with Habitat for Humanity doing demolition and gutting of a house close to Drake University. What a treat to work alongside such great people!

We spent the morning and afternoon hauling out loads and loads of drywall, paneling, boards, flooring, and brick. The experience was one of extremes. You see, the basement had the propane tank heater which made the space very warm but once you stepped outside, you were greeted with a twenty mile-an-hour wind coupled with cutting snow and sub-human temperatures. All I can say is it was worth every pain.

While working, I was treated by meeting part of the staff who worked in the office part of the organization. They offered to take me to Planet Subs for lunch to which I gladly accepted. A big thanks to Amber for using her most valuable “free sub” card on a wandering volunteer. They were great at answering my questions and made me want to get more involved down the road. Habitat for Humanity is one of my favorite places to get involved and I encourage you and your family or church or business to serve at your local Habitat at least once. I guarantee that you will be back to help again. That's what happened to me...I signed up to help again on Saturday.

This time at a different house with a bigger crew and with a colder temperature outside. I stripped floors, crow-barred trimming, and pulled up a bucket full of nails and staples. Once again, you get a great trill knowing that these houses will quickly become homes of families who need a place they can afford. Thanks to the help of Habitat, that dream becomes a reality. It's worth your time to head over to their website to read about the process or for you to volunteer at a site and to work alongside the people who will be residing there.

I was scheduled to help out on Friday with Hope Ministries, but due to the weather, I did not make it up there. I've worked with Hope before and know what kind of a charity they are. Even though I wasn't able to physically be at their center to serve, I asked what they needed most to help minister to the poor in their community. Mens  winter gloves was the response, so I talked to a few people in town and went about collecting gloves which I mailed to them the following week.

So...was there enough proof to say that Iowa is all those things mention in the first paragraph? If it was based on the people I met and the ways they are meeting needs, then...yes...definitely. I highly recommend that you get involved with any of these organizations to judge for yourself.

Onward to Nebraska! More corn anyone?

The reason for heading North during the winter months was based upon one event that just so happened to be in the Twin Cities on December 19th. My cousin Greg was getting married and I wasn't going to miss it. So I spent the Saturday with my family celebrating this joyous occasion.

I left Sunday morning to head even farther north to stay with my friend, Bryant, who works up in Cook, MN. He offered me a place to stay and also wanted to join in on the volunteering. We headed for Duluth on Monday morning looking for people to serve. Without finding people out and about (a lesson I thought I learned a few states back about cold weather and people staying indoors), we used Google to find out where some of the local charities.

We stopped by and simply asked if there was anything they needed help with. We were informed they could use some help later in the afternoon to do dinner prep and serve the meal and clean up. Four o'clock rolled around and so did we...back to the Union Mission. Wiping down and setting up tables, prepping food, preparing plates, serving meals (Sloppy Joes), packing leftovers, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping the floor, taking the garbage out, and a handful of other common tasks were the focus of our service.

It's a great feeling volunteering next to a friend and I heavily recommend serving others in groups. It allows for encouragement, creativity, and way to break down what you experienced. I'm very thankful for the people who are willing to take a risk to join me in my endeavors.

After spending a few nights in the Northern Minnesota, the weather in the South decided to make things more interesting. A mega-storm was heading for the state and was forecasted to bring up to forty inches of snow in some areas. The system was slow moving and was going to be in Worthington (my hometown and Christmas destination) by Wednesday night, so I headed for Hibbing, Minnesota on Tuesday to help the Salvation Army with their annual toy handout and Adopt-a-Family event.

I arrived at the Irongate Plaza by 9am where the event was taking place. I met the kind folks who were helping out and was given my instructions. The responsibilities of the morning and afternoon were relatively similar: loading a cart with the pre-registered bags, pushing the cart through the mall to the loading area, and packing the persons vehicle with the presents, coats, and food. This is a great program to be involved with and I implore you help out in some capacity with your local Salvation Army branch. The Northern Minnesota branch really is living up to their slogan, “Doing the most good.” Keep it up!

When all the containers were handed out, I asked if there was anything else I could do for them; having nothing more for me to do, I gassed up the Mazda and headed for the Twin Cities. I stayed the night with a long time friend (thanks Keith!) and planned my Wednesday in light of the approaching colossal storm. I had made plans with Open Arms of Minnesota to deliver meals on Wednesday during the noon hour and figured I could still make it to my final destination before sitting in a ditch for the holidays.

Open Arms of Minnesota “offers a unique model of care for people in our community who are sick, need nutritious food, and have no where else to turn for assistance. We are the only nonprofit organization in the state that prepares and delivers free meals specifically tailored to meet the nutrition needs of individuals living with serious and life-threatening diseases.”

After driving around in a circle for fifteen minutes, I finally found the distribution annex. There was so much energy coming from this place. People hauling over-sized dufflebags in and out of the main entrance, cars positioning for a parking spot, directions being given to the drivers, along with the delicious aroma of freshly prepared steak coming from the kitchen...what a great place!

I let the director know that it was my first time serving and was excited to get my orders. Pete (volunteer coordinator) kind of hesitated when he handed me the directions to the three homes. He asked if I was familiar with the St. Paul area. (If you've ever been to St. Paul, MN before, you would know how messed up the streets are.) I told him I'd make it...and I did. Loaded the car up and drove to my stops, handed out the meals, and then headed back to the main building.

While I was on my last run, I had a little trouble finding the right apartment on a very strange building. I ended up asking some of the local residence if they had any idea. I was quite fortunate one gentleman was able to speak English and informed me there were more residences in the back. Success! Also, while I was out searching for the last meal stop, I got a call from Pete who said that WCCO was there. I told them I'd be back within the next hour (let's just say that a GPS would have really come in handy).

I handed back the insulated cooler and then was shown how the kitchen operated. They make all the meals in their own kitchen and really do a good job. I still had about an hour to help out and they handed me a peeler and knife to dice up carrots for a soup later in the week. I got my pile done and had to say goodbye. (Click here to see the WCCO news story.)

The drive to Worthington is normally about three and a half hours from Minneapolis...I made good time and was slammed by the snow and wind about a thirty minutes away from my hometown. Thank goodness for being in a state where most of the people have a good amount of winter driving experience!

I spent Christmas with family and was safely inside while thirty inches of snow fell over two days. (A new record for the 24-25 of December!) This gave way for me to volunteer spontaneously by scooping and scooping and scooping snow. A very simple way to help others, especially the elderly or disabled and you get a great workout in the process.

With all the excitement from the weather, it was hard to leave. Couple that with it being a state I lived in for more than twenty-one years...it was nearly impossible...but I must press on.

Trekking through the snow to Iowa!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any colder, I crossed over the North Dakota border. Not that I was surprised, I simply consider myself an optimist and therefore naive.

North Dakota is unfortunately one of the least visited states in the Union. I had a few of the fine citizens inform me that it is the least traveled. (Not sure if they were saying that as a mark of honor.) I know people are always complaining that it is too cold or too hot or too boring to drive through or the people are too friendly, or the bison are in the middle of the road, or {fill in the blank}. I just don't buy it.

Wonderful people like Theodore Roosevelt had this to say about the state: “I grow very fond of this place, and it certainly has a desolate, grim beauty of its own, that has a curious fascination for me.” I can only echo those words and say they are true for my experience as well, but I also add to them in regards to the large-hearted people scattered everywhere across the territory.

After driving the four hundred mile plus miles from Billings to Bismarck, I settled into the city. I had a mix up in the housing department which left me without shelter for the evening. (Must I remind you that the temperatures never made it above zero the entire time I was in the state. That first night, the forecast called for negative twenty five (without wind chill). Let me just cut to the chase to tell you I spent the night in the Best Western, not because I chose to, or paid to stay there, but a stranger I helped at a quarter to two in the morning, put me up for the night. (Click here for the full story.) I spent the next few nights in the capital city staying on an available mattress someone from courchsurfing.org (Benjamin and crew) just happened to have laying around. (Thanks guys! Nice to glean an understanding of your world. Best of winds and safe travels in your own adventures.)

I braved the cold and went in search of people to help. I came to a very quick conclusion that people in the frozen tundra don't go outside when it hits these sub-human temps. I checked with some great organizations, but because of the weather, the opportunities to serve just weren't there. When this happens, I usually get a little worried that I won't meet my goals...oh me of little faith...

I stepped into the offices of the United Way of the Missouri Slope to find the same answer to my question: is there anywhere I can serve? They were fully staffed but took me down the hall to the RSVP+ office which shared the building. Success!

My instructions were to head over to help the Mental Health America of North Dakota follow up with phone calls to see if people got their invitation to the annual Celebration of Lights. I took to the phones in a furry and finished the five page list in a matter of hours. MHAofND hosts a variety of programs aimed to help people with and people who are around those with mental health issues. It was a privilege to work along side them.

While working with MHAofND, I got a call from the United Way informing me that they needed my help the following day to hang up banners on the downtown parking ramps. I jumped on the offer to serve. We spent the morning picking up the signs, getting the fastening chords, and swapping gloves while the cold nipped away at our hands. The signs made it up and the message was clear: “99% of your donation stays in your local community!” I was treated to lunch and then to an interview by CBS12 out of Bismarck. (Click here to watch the interview.)

I also got involved with the Central Dakota Humane Society walking dogs. It's easy to forget about these cuddly creatures when it's so cold outside, but they still need to be taken care of. I can honestly say that the coldest I've ever been was there walking a dozen dogs in negative seventeen degrees (thirty-five below with wind). Those dogs were so adorable and in need of a good, long-legged walk, I came back a second time, right before traveling another two hundred to Fargo.

I left for Fargo knowing I had a nice warm place to stay, thanks to my second cousin Noel and his wonderful family, whom I hadn't seen for over eight years. I pulled into town...got lost...got found...got lost again...and then finally parked outside my destination. One of the perks to doing a journey like this is catching up with a lot of people you don't see on a normal basis. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my cousins and am overly appreciative of them letting me stay even though I was there during a scheduled slumber party and an unscheduled sickness going through the family.

Fargo brought with it a host of great places to volunteer! I was connected with the RSVP+ office in Fargo and was connected with two organizations. The first was the Great Plains Food Bank and the second was the Fargo/Moorhead Community Bike Workshop.

The Great Plains Food Bank touches the lives of more than 52,000 children, seniors and working families each year who struggle with, or are at risk of hunger. Each year over 5 million pounds of surplus food is donated by local, regional and national food industry partners... [which] is then distributed to people in need through... [their] statewide network of 230 member food shelves, emergency shelters, soup kitchens and other charitable feeding program in 80 communities.” Turns out that the GPFB is the only food bank in the state which means they oversee a lot of food!

I have a few different tasks to work on over the course of my time there: cutting forms, creating manuals, putting together food boxes, and stacking pallets. I spent most of my time tackling the giant bins of food brought in from a local school drive and ordering a variety of those items into manageable boxes which would then be loaded onto trucks and shipped to the counties around the state. Many people would look at that job as boring, I thought the complete opposite! I imagined the people these boxes would get handed to and the relief on their faces when they were offered a way for them to make ends meet. There's so much more that goes into those boxes then just food. They bring comfort and hope to people who really need help.

I can't pass up the opportunity to thank the kind folks at Great Plains for taking me out to lunch and for helping me get connected with the local media. (Click here to watch the interview.) They really were a fun crew to get to know and was made even better by their delightful Scandinavian accents. Also, they blew me out of the water by sending me away with all kinds of gifts and a lot of kind words. I've told them to keep a truck driving job available for me when the whole adventure ends.

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to check out something that made me super curious when I was initially told about it. That being the F/M Community Bike Workshop in downtown Fargo. I got down-and-dirty stripping old bikes of their usable parts and even messier putting a bike back together (thanks to the peddle grease). The purpose of the FMCBW is to be “a community-run learning space, committed to the reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles by providing tools, education and an inclusive space for all members of our diverse community.” In a nutshell, they try to get bikes out to people who need transportation.

It was great to hear that they have been helping many people in the community, but it's not just by giving the bikes away. The individual commits to volunteering at the workshop for at least seven hours and learns how to take care of bike and is invited back anytime to keep it well maintained.

I really think the community bike workshop idea is a great one. Google “community bike workshop” plus your city's name to get connected with an organization like this one near you. And even though I was reminded that I really have no idea what I'm doing mechanically, I was brought to cheer knowing there are places for everyone to get involved with.

After saying goodbye to all the fine people I met in North Dakota, I hopped over the Red River into Minnesota. (Don'tcha know.)

Montana's welcome sign should read: “Now Entering Montana, Be Prepared To Freeze!”

I left Washington with the mercury hovering around the forty-five degree mark and woke up the next day in a state that averaged -20 below zero. Something is wrong with this picture. Actually, it was just a wake up call to winter.

I've been asked by many people why I chose to head north during the winter time. I tell them that I took this route because my cousin Greg was getting married in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 19 and I would only be able to attend if I was a neighboring state. So that's why I was crossing the frozen tundra of Montana.

First stop, Helena, MT. I arrived on Sunday night to find the temperature was too low for me to camp. I made a call to a friend from Boise who happened to have a brother who went to Carroll College (in Helena) and was able to hook me up with a place to stay for a few nights. I was (and still am) most thankful for Nick and Garrett from Pink Gloves Boxing for letting me crash on their couch while I volunteered in the area.

Volunteering in Helena was interesting. I had originally contacted a place in town that had something for me to do, but when I got there, they had already finished the assigned tasks. This brings up a good point for me to mention about my philosophy in service: I never force myself into any organization. I'm glad they were honest about not needing me instead of putting me to work doing something that doesn't profit them or wastes my time.

So what do I do now? I immediately cracked out my list of back up plans and went into full throttle executing my list. I went to Google.com and typed “Helena MT non profits” into the search bar. Right before my eyes, a long list of possible places to volunteer at came up. I called the first place on the list and got the response, “we've got everything taken care of...thanks for offering though”. I called the next place and got a similar response. This happened with everyone on the list! Bittersweet to say the least. I'm down because I don't have a place to serve but am encouraged to know these charities have plenty of people helping out.

By the time Tuesday rolled around, I had not served once. I didn't panic though. I've been in this boat before. I just did what I could while I was there and called ahead to the places in Billings. I left Helena on Wednesday morning, traveled 250 miles to Billings, realized I had no shelter, and sat in a coffee shop. I decided to act on an impulse and registered at couchsurfing.org to see if anyone would be willing to let me crash on their floor for the remainder of my time in the state. I didn't get a hit on my request until the next morning which meant I spent the night in my car and at IHOP waiting for the warming of tomorrow's sun.

On Thursday, even though I was super tired and cold, I spent the day serving at the Billings Food Bank. BFB is the primary collector of food donations for Yellowstone and surrounding counties and disperses over six million pounds of food annually to various area charities. BFB also distributes food to needy seniors on a monthly basis and is actively training individuals in food preparation and nutrition through their Montana Harvest Kitchen. It was a treat for me to work there as I did a variety of projects involving the sorting of incoming donations, stacking pallets, building boxes, and loading trucks. The food bank was in the process of moving into a brand new building which meant that all the current warehouse stock had to be moved to the new facility.

I served at BFB on Friday as well. One of the many things I found enjoyable while working there was meeting the other volunteers who come in on a regular basis. They encouraged me with their stories of service and informed me that the Billings community was one of the best at supporting the work of the food bank. While many food banks across the nation are struggling, trying to keep up with the increasing demand for basic assistance, the BFB showed no sign of want. (This of course doesn't mean that people should stop giving.) It's great to see that people of Montana are looking out for the needs of their fellow statesmen and women.

The other place I spent most of my time serving at was Zoo Montana. The zoo is completely funded by donations and grants and is in charge of raising all its funds.  This year was the first year for them to take over the running of Zoo Lights, a giant display of holiday lights people could drive through to enjoy, and in turn, make a small donation to the zoo. After the people drove around the grounds, they were invited to stop into the main building to get warmed up and to participate in a variety of activities. I was assigned to one of the craft tables.

The cold weather didn't keep the people away. We had a bunch of families come through on Friday night and even more on Saturday. I put some of the highlights together here for you to check out. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the zoo and the host of volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly. I was tickled to see a familiar face from the food bank show up on Saturday night to help out. I also had great conversations, both with a young Marine and with a local volunteer who retired early used her free time to help others. I was reminded that good volunteers come from all stages of life and are united by their passion to see their community bettered.

I have to mention, that along with great service projects in the state, I extremely enjoyed the new people I was connected to. Namely, Nick and Garrett from Helena, John, Andy, Doug, and Zam from Billings. These people helped me out and treated me like family. Thanks for the adventurous memories and for taking me in without ever meeting me first. You're the ones who make my life full of spice. Thanks.

Drudgingly, I had to leave the great state of Montana...but I couldn't shake the cold temps. Looking forward to returning under warmer conditions. (Maybe the state would grant me a land charter to start my very own town?)

On the way from Eugene, Oregon to Cathlamet, Washington, I decided to trek an hour out of the way to Multnomah Falls. These falls are the tallest in the state and have more than one million visitors a year. It is a free attraction (a big positive) and offered a challenging mile and a half hike to the top which was exactly what I was looking for.

After enjoying the landmark, I headed across the Columbia River and stayed for the night with some newfound friends (Jim & Deon). The next morning, they sent me on my way with best wishes and a stomach filled with berry cobbler. I made it to Puyallup, a city to the east of Tacoma, and burned the day making calls and updating the website. I also discover Big Foot Coffee, a twenty-four hour coffee haus, which had terrific teas and became my base of operations for the remainder of the week.

The holiday season was in full swing and I figured it would be appropriate for me to jump on the yuletide bandwagon and volunteer at a few organizations that seem to be identified with the yearly celebrations. One of these charities was the Salvation Army.

The bell ringers are everywhere this time of year and the money they collect in their iconic red kettles go to help people in the local community with financial aid, programs, and services to help those who are going through tough financial times. I contacted one of the agencies in Oregon but was turned down because they had already hired everyone for the week. It was a surprise to me to find out that not all the ringers are volunteers. After asking a few questions, I found out that they had been hiring out the position for quite a few years. They prefer volunteers but never have enough to cover all the locations. The plus side of this is that they create a lot of seasonal employment.

I did find success serving in Puyallup though. I figured I would be stationed at a Wal-mart or grocery store somewhere, but was delighted to find out my service was needed at the Victorian County Christmas. This big event was held at the Western Washington Fairgrounds and required all the personnel to be in turn-of-the-century costuming, being as close to authentic as possible.

It was cold outside, but I came prepared, dressing in as many layers as I could find (including my newly purchased long-Johns and thermal undershirt) and was also given a heavy cape and scarf, all a part of the costume. I found my station and started ringing the bell like there was no tomorrow. Quickly, I came to realize that this job was not as easy as I had first thought. Especially if you want to have a consistent ring for the entire four hours. I found my groove and never stopped unless I helped a person with the door. For all the effort, each kettle collected about forty-five dollars an hour.

I know there is still time left in the year to help ring those bells, so get out there and give your time and money to a quality charity.

The other festive volunteering I did was in cooperation with Treehouse for Kids. “Treehouse has filled the gaps for kids in foster care, providing services that no other agency addresses: money for extra-curricular activities and summer camp, professional educational support services, resources to fully participate in the everyday activities of growing up, clothing and supplies to help them fit in at school.” They make it so kids can be kids and that those children have hope for the future in the midst of uncertainty.

One of the ways they raise funds to provide these crucial services is by hosting the Holiday Carousel in the midst of downtown Seattle. It is free to ride but a suggested donation is advertised with proceeds going to the organization.

I was responsible for taking the tickets and to ensure the safety of the people getting onto the carousel. I met so many excited people. Many of whom had never ridden a merry-go-round before. Those were the most fun to talk to while they were waiting to jump on their favorite colored horse. Lots of people taking pictures, lots of couples (both young and old), lots of multiple riders, and a handful of street people.

One lady was having a terrible day. It was quite obvious so I asked if there was anything I could do to make her day. She said that she slept under a bridge the night before and that the rest of the day followed suit of just getting worse. I told her to take an extra spin on the carousel and that I'd share a hot dog from Seattle's best hot dog stand (conveniently located right next door). She had the time of her life and it was energizing to see a spark light up in her eyes again. Something magical indeed!

I had to say goodbye at the end of the evening, but I thoroughly wanted to come back to help out even more. If you live in the Seattle area, get involved with Treehouse for Kids. They have lots of events to be a part and even more great ways to serve.

Also, a huge kudos is due to my new friend Ebenezer. He had no idea who I was but was still willing to host me a few nights while I was in the area. Crazy story about how we got connected, but I'm sure glad we were able to cross paths.

I said goodbye to a beautiful state and moved on to an equally gorgeous state, Montana. See you there.

I left Idaho in a snow storm, hit the mountain passes packed with ice, met fierce winds in the high country, drove in heavy rain along the Columbia River, was hailed on outside Portland, and arrived in warm sunshine at Eugene. Oregon's weather is as diverse as its landscape. A beautiful state with something for everyone.

Of course, like many of the Northwestern States, I am told that they have too many people already. So, if you believe this is true, go there to vacation only and leave the area to the incumbent residents. The only problem is that once you get there, I think you will find it hard to leave. It really is that enchanting.

A large part of the charm is the people, and with the people, the things that they are interested in. One area of interest is their love for the environment. Not to say that everyone in the state is a tree-hugger, but I can see why so many are. If your neck of the woods looked like the Oregon Territory, I have a feeling you would be more inclined to take an active roll in preserving nature. With that said, I made it a point to try and volunteer with an environmental group while being in the state.

I found exactly what I was looking for when I came across the Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah. The park and peak combine for almost 2,400 acres and is the largest recreational area in the county attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah have been instrumental in:

• propagating over 80 native species in our native plant nursery;

• restoring flows to floodplain side channels that had been blocked by human obstructions, such as road fill and an Army Corps of Engineers levee;

• creating seasonal backwater habitat to benefit salmonids and other aquatic species;

• planting 70 floodplain acres with native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers; and

• facilitating prescribed burns and native seeding on 30 acres of prairie and oak savanna. (All stats from Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah's website.)

I showed up to the park on a foggy Wednesday morning and was introduced to Hal and Val. Hal is one of the stewardship assistants and Val is the volunteer coordinator. Both do a lot of hands on work in the park and are instructors and cheerleaders to the groups and individuals who give of their time. They are passionate people who love the land and both have an infectious optimistic spirit.

The first task I was assigned to was creating starter trays of grass seedlings in the greenhouse. I mixed the mulch and soils in 3/2 proportions, packed the mix into the individual trays, made indentations in the soil, planted the seeds, and then covered and stacked the trays. I made it through a dozen forty-count trays before being asked to do some work in the nursery. I handed over the remainder of my mulch mix to another volunteer (who, by the way, was terrific to work with) and headed outside to organize the Native Species Nursery where I spent the remainder of the morning.

I went back to my residence to shower and prep for my evening volunteer work but told Hal that I would be happy to come back on Friday to help out in any capacity. We exchanged info, talked about Thanksgiving Day plans, and then said goodbye.

I came back on Friday after lunch and suited up with boots, gloves, and gutter-style clothes. The weather on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday morning was a mixture of varying rain conditions. This, of course, made the ground nice and muddy which is tons of fun to work in. Hal and I headed for the floodplain where they just finished digging the trenches for the river to back flow into, creating a habitat for a variety of native species like turtles and frogs. There were some fence lines and drift fences that needed to be pulled up, so we loaded up the ATV and spent the remainder of the day pulling posts

I was able to gain a valuable perspective from those I worked with. I love the idea that they partner with the county to help manage the area and are set on having that beautiful environment for generations to come. Think about a place in your community where you can partner up with businesses or the local government to help preserve your community's resources. If you live around the Eugene area, why not visit the Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah's website to see where you can get involved. Then contact with Val to get connected.

Another great charity I was introduced to was the Family Bridge Day Shelter which is located in Hillsboro, a suburb of Portland. They “serve homeless families with children by providing them shelter, meals, help and hope so that they may achieve stability and self-sufficiency.” They have an excellent resource on their website to help you get a better idea of what homelessness looks like in the Portland area.

One of the areas where people can get involved is by serving a meal to the families who use the shelter. I was asked to bring a bottle of apple juice and a jar of apple sauce for everyone to enjoy. I picked up my items at the local grocery store and headed for Portland. I left around 2:00pm with intentions of stopping for a cup of coffee and then running a few errands before serving dinner at the shelter at 6:00pm, unfortunately, what was suppose to be an hour and a half trip stretched itself into a four hour marathon thanks to a series of car accidents on the interstate. (three in a sixty mile stretch + inadequate traffic lanes = disaster)

I arrived at the house a few minutes after six and was greeted by the friendly smiles of a kitchen full of volunteers. They were making a huge feast for the residence which consisted of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, cupcakes, and of course...apple sauce! I found out about the shelters inner workings and differences between them and rescue missions.

A day shelter is a place where the families can go to get off the street during the daytime. The house is fully furnished and accommodates up to three families. At night, the families go to one of many churches who provide them with a place to stay for the week. A family can stay for up to six weeks while they find employment, housing, and other help to get them back on their feet.

The plan was to have three families there for dinner, but since it was the day before Thanksgiving, two of the families were out of the house. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the volunteers, about their involvement in the ministry, and hearing from the family about their struggles and triumphs. There are a lot of good people out there who are going through some very tough times right now. Whether their circumstances where a result of a bad choice or by natural catastrophe, they all need people who will come alongside them give them a helping hand. Find a way to serve families in your area. The benefits far outweigh any burden you might have to carry.

I was very fortunate to have such great care while in Oregon. I stayed with a friend who I met a few years back while working in Iowa and now I consider her to be my Northwestern grandmother. A warm house, lots of food, a great hiking partner, and one of the best conversationalist around – Keif is one-of-a-kind! Thanks Keif!!

Off to Washington!

It was great to be back in the state where I technically reside – good ol' Idaho! I have to admit that it was really nice to be around family and friends for a week. As much as I love exploring the new, unseen parts of the U.S. (for my eyes that is), there is something to be said about the familiar.

I had a couple or really good volunteer options come from the submissions on 48by48.com, but was unable to make it to them because of time constraints, bad weather, and long distance driving. My hope is to serve at these places when I get back to Idaho next October.

The places I did volunteer at were as quality as they come. I connected with Journey Hospice and my friend Nikki who is the chaplain and volunteer coordinator. She informed me of a special project that came up and could use my help with it. We left Journey Hospice in Nampa and headed for the garage of a lady who used to be in the hospice care. She had made a recovery and was so impressed by the work of this organization that she wanted to help others with her ability to sew. She makes teddy bears for the family members of the those in hospice care from the shirts of their loved ones. Nikki informed me that this is a very meaningful gesture to those grieving and a much appreciated service.

The sewing was done in this ladies garage and needed it cleaned out and organized to keep making the bears. We arrived with bells on! We took everything out of the garage, including five (plus) sewing machines, tables, and the old carpet, then swept, dusted, and even vacuumed the area. We installed a newer carpet, put back all the machines, and moved a few things around (freezer, boxes, tables). All this was done without once stepping on her miniature pincher who would yip and nip at you anytime you came to close.

After cleaning finishing that dusty task, we made our way to the nursing home in Homedale, ID. Here we visited with a dear lady who had lost her husband recently and was in the home for apparent health reasons. She was sleeping when we arrived. After asking about her care and health, we opened the hymnbook and asked for her favorites. She liked them all, so we sang a wide spectrum of classic melodies from the faith. It was great getting to sing and even more fun having a harmonizer sitting next to me. We stayed no longer than thirty minutes but made a world of difference to this woman.

I quickly realized that hospice care is not a time-consuming charity. There are so many ways to help others in this stage of life and they take less than an hour. Find a way to get involved with hospice care in your community. You will be rewarded over and over by your ability to sit and listen to people wise beyond years. Seriously, contact the hospice ministry in your areas to find out about simple ways to help those who are dying and their families.

The other organization I partnered with this week was The Momentum Group. They work with refugees in the Boise area, equipping them with basic job skills, language training, and cultural assimilation. I originally heard about this group through a project they run called Common Ground. Since the growing season was over, I wasn't able to help in the gardens, but I was able to get involved with one of their six-week programs helping the individuals with the English language working in either a warehouse position or a cashier job.

I had a blast! I worked one-on-one with a few of the refugees, going through workbook exercises dealing with change counting and grocery store situations. I had a few a-ha moments while being involved. For starters, the English language is very difficult to learn. Even I was having a difficult time making sense of a few things and then trying to have to explain why we call a bag of food a bag of groceries. Also, there are sounds in our language that are not common in other languages and therefore make certain words hard to form. I take for granted the “th” sound. But in the Burundi language, the “th” and the “ff” sound similar and therefore harder to pronounce. I also realized how important it is for people to have an environment where they know they won't be laughed at or verbally assaulted for not knowing the language. The people I worked with were genuinely trying to learn and were so excited when they learned a new phrase - - their energy was infectious.

If you have a few hours to give each week, please contact this group. They are benefiting the community in so many good ways. It would be a shame if you didn't get in on this. Find a way to serve those who are new in your communities, whether they speak your language or not. You will be glad you did.

I also had a spontaneous Service To Others moment this week. While walking back to my car (I parked seven blocks away on purpose), I came across a man with a sign that said, “Anything will help”. I had a bag full of produce and told the man he could have anything or everything, his choice. He looked at me and cracked a smile. “I don't have any teeth”, he replied, “I'll just take the bananas.” I was happy to help and asked him if he had anywhere to go to get help. He said he didn't so I gave him directions to the Boise Rescue Mission and asked if he needed a ride. After declining the ride, he thanked me for the food and for the Missions address.

There are a ton of people out on the corners asking for help. My recommendation is to always know where the local rescue mission is located. I never give out money, but I always try to have something to give. People are still people even if they are beggars. I refuse to believe that everyone is a con-artist and that if don't help anyone, then those who are really in need will get left out. I'm still trying to sort out my complete philosophy about helping the corner beggars out, but will continue to do what I feel compelled to do until I am convinced to do otherwise.

Thanks Idaho! I'll see you again in eight months. Until then, push on to Oregon!

I have said it before and I will say it again, “Utah is one of the most beautiful states in this oh-so gorgeous nation.” It truly is a spectacle of natural beauty and inspiration. If the landscape isn't enough for you to enjoy this place, then the people will put you over the top. I had nothing but great encounters with caring people who loved their community and according to the government's national service website, has the highest percentage of volunteers in the nation (many years running), which showed.

When I left Nevada, I headed for St. George, Utah. Located directly on the Arizona/Utah border, my drive from Las Vegas lasted only a few hours. I was familiar with the area and knew it would be a great place to get some much needed prep done for the weeks ahead. I camped overnight in Snow Canyon State Park just to the west of the city and spent Sunday evening and the majority of Monday doing “office work” at a local Starbucks.

After enjoying a restful night under the stars, I gathered up my belongings, packed the car and drove two hours to Kanab, Utah. Kanab is located in the southernmost part of the state in the center of America's greatest natural markers. With the Grand Canyon to the south, Lake Powell to the east, Bryce Canyon to the north, and Zion National Park to the west, Kanab is the gateway to America's wonders. It is also known as “Little Hollywood” since there have been over a hundred movies (mostly Westerns) filmed in the vicinity. The only thing missing is a good coffee shop with super fast wi-fi, otherwise, it is a very quaint little touristy town.

The reason for my travels to this wilderness location was to volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the nearby Angel Canyon. Best Friends is one of the United State's largest no-kill animal sanctuary where they are “home on any given day to about 2,000 dogs, cats, and other animals, who come from shelters and rescue groups around the country for special care.... Most of the animals who find their way to Best Friends have special physical or behavioral needs, and our expert staff of veterinarians, trainers and caregivers offer them all the help they require. Most of them are ready to go to good new homes after just a few weeks.... A few, who are too old or too sick, or who have suffered extra trauma, find a home and haven at the sanctuary, and are given loving care for the rest of their lives.”

I arrived at the visitor's center around nine to fill out the needed paperwork, watch the video overview, and to take the tour. You learn so much about where they came from, what they are doing, and how they changing the future for animals across the country. Recently, they have gained a lot of national attention through their successful legislation lobbying against puppy mills and their care for the displaced animals during the months to follow Hurricane Katrina. Most recently, they took in all twenty-two of Michael Vic's dogs after his arrest for dog fighting. Also, National Geographic's “DogTown” is filmed there which is already in its third season and is decorated with many awards. Best Friends is an incredible place to be and worthy of the accolades it receives.

After going through the required training, I went to the HQ building of Dogtown to get my assignments. I told them I would do whatever was most pressing so I was handed a pooper scooper and was told where the buckets were. I went out and cleaned a good-sized trail where the dogs are walked and I came away with none on my shoes but two and a half buckets full of feces. I won't go into the details but you can catch some of the highlights by clicking here. I still had some time left in the day so I headed over to one of the dog run buildings were I helped the caretaker with the evening meal.

The next morning, I was back at eight with bells on. I couldn't wait to meet more of the dogs and to take as many as I could out for a stroll. Before I could do that, I was offered the option of taking the puppy training class. I couldn't turn that down! So, for an hour, I was able to work with two puppies to train and condition them for adoption. After the workshop, I was assigned to a one of the dog run areas and worked my way through one building after another, taking all sorts of different dogs for a stroll through the wilderness. As excited as the dogs may have been, this was a very refreshing activity for my soul as well. If you didn't know, I'm kind of a dog person and get bouts of homesickness for my beagle Elli. Walking, petting, and playing with these other dogs help fill the void (just a little bit).

After a long goodbye with the dogs and staff of Best Friends, I fixed myself a peanut butter sandwich and headed north to the Salt Lake City area. I didn't have a place to stay and was planning on camping in another one of the State Parks around the area. Unfortunately, my directions were a little off and the place I thought I was going stay turned out to be a marina. So, I found the nearest truck stop and toughed it out for the next few nights. The sleeping bag I brought with me was given to me when I was in junior high school and was not equipped to handle the temperatures dipping into the teens, so after waking up to a frozen face and near numb toes, I bought a zero-degree bag. WOW! What a difference

The reason I was in the Salt Lake City area was because of a great recommendation by an acquaintance of mine in the Phoenix, Arizona area. She strongly recommended that I spend some of my time in Utah helping out at the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. The Treehouse is a unique children's museum geared toward literacy and writing. Each of the exhibits a beautifully designed by their in-house artists and cover a variety of themes to interest children of all ages. I was placed in the Arts Garden, an activity center that provides an arena for the kids (and adults) to create crafts centered around the different themes.

On Friday, I spent the latter morning and afternoon prepping art materials for other areas of the museum and then assisted with two kindergarten classes. The kids were so clever and creative! I am a little partial since they called me teacher and even a genius! I later found out that they called everything genius since it was a word they just learned. On Saturday, I came in the afternoon and worked alongside of some other great volunteers hosting the families who came through the Art Garden. We made magic scepters for the Harry Potter afternoon theme and then monster puppets later on to celebrate the book Where the Wild Things Are.

I was invited back later that evening as the Treehouse was putting on a children's production of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. I was delighted to stay for it and thoroughly enjoyed myself as the version they wrote added depth and a lot of humor to the traditional tale. I love it that the actors came out after the play and answered the children's questions. Great idea for anyone doing children's theatre.

Even though my week was up, it was hard to leave the great state of Utah. Right before crossing the border, I recorded a short video of the scenery and a few other comments. Even now, I have a strange feeling that makes me believe I will be a resident of that state sometime in my life. It's good to know I have a jump on good contacts and charities to give my time to. If you're there now, check out either one of these charities and get involved. You'll be glad you did.

Yo ho, yo ho...I'm off to Idaho!

Click here to read Update: Nevada pt.1

On Thursday morning, I set my alarm for 5:00am to get up in time to make it to the Las Vegas Catholic Worker's Soup Line in North Las Vegas. I had to be at the kitchen by 6:00am to help get the items ready and to load the trailer. The part of town the Las Vegas Catholic Worker (LVCW) has centered on is in the shadow of the glitzy lights north of “the Strip”. They do a variety of compassion ministries, with one of those being a morning soup line and serve up to three hundred men, women, and children Wednesday through Saturday mornings.

I fought my way through traffic to the Washington Avenue exist, (Amazing how many people are on the road at 5:30am.) where I was greeted by a detour which rapped me around the elevated interstate. The first right that I took brought me by one of the reasons for the LVCW to exist – at least twenty-five people were buried by blankets and coats, sleeping around the construction site and on the sidewalks. Even more people were shuffling along the street, moving toward the well-known shelters, work centers, and soup kitchens in the area. LVCW prepares the food in a house and then takes it to an empty lot about a half mile away. They make about fifty gallons of soup, stew, or spaghetti (depending on the day) in huge metal pots. Along with the main course, they serve donated breads, coffee, and “cold” tea.

I took some of the utensils and crates in my car along with Chris, another new volunteer, and drove to the lot. When we came closer to the distribution area, the sight made me do a double take. Here were hundreds of people, already lined up, in three makeshift columns waiting for a morning meal. The place was incredibly dusty, which made for a very surreal picture as the individuals mulled around. They looked like shadowy figures who were engulfed in a grayish-brown cloud; and with the sun rising, it made it the haze electrified. I've never seen anything like it in my life.

We all worked hard to get everything set up. I was told to take a ladle and fill the bowls handed to me by each person. All ages seemed to be represented. The young and the old, all who were hungry and where happy to get something hot into their stomachs and were each thankful. On Friday, I chose to do a different job – I poured “cold” tea. Each person brought their own cup or plastic water bottle or even an empty flask to have it filled. I wasn't as efficient as I was suppose to be so I one of the regular workers came over to help me get the job done.

After the food and drink were gone, we cleaned up the lot, re-packed the trailer, and headed back to wash the dishes. You couldn't help but wonder how everyone got to the point of needed to show up and the crack of dawn to eat a mass produced meal. (By the way, it was excellent tasting. Kudos to the chefs!) I was able to gain incredible amounts of wisdom from the workers as they informed me that most people don't know how to define the word “homeless”. I had to think about my definition and quickly realized it was lacking. What I gleaned from my time there was the need to do good to all people, no matter their situation or where they are in life, it's not fair to group people into one category since everyone's situation is unique and important.

Definitely get involved with the Las Vegas Catholic Workers when in the area. You'll be glad you did.

Also, on Thursday and Friday, I hustled over from working at Opportunity Village to work with the fine folks of Club Christ Ministries.

Club Christ helps Las Vegas' urban youth “by offering a safe after school environment students are able to reach their potential. Every week kids interact with caring adult as they experience academic enrichment exercises, leadership development programs, community service and opportunities to participate in a faith community.” My contact was Kendra Perry, the director at Landsman Learning Center in Henderson, Nevada (one of their three campuses). She is a native to the city and has a huge desire to see the community transformed. Her plan includes providing resources to families by offering educational helps, entrepreneurial exercises, and community awareness events.

In the center of a government housing block, there's a community building that was originally set up as a medical clinic. After they ended their stay, the Club Christ team was able to lease the building if it was used to provide a social service to the people directly around it. Monday and Wednesday, elementary students and Tuesday and Thursday, middle school students use the center for a safe place to have fun and games along with a time to do homework and get help with their studies. On Friday, there is an optional Bible Club time which provides moral guidance and allows the students to connect with the adults in smaller group environment.

They are doing really great things in their community and you should be involved with it. Even if you're unable to work hands on with the tutoring, you can use your resources to provide encouragement to the kids by donating gift cards to their organization. The cards are great incentives and the boost in studies helps supplement the local schools in their efforts to provide quality instruction.

From my few days there, I was able to see the heart that this ministry has for the community and it is really good! Just contact them and ask them what they need or tell them what you can offer...everything helps.

Three states have gone by so fast and I have made so many good connections already, it makes me sad to leave but excited to see what's around the next corner. Every state and every charity seems to motivate me more and is one of those crazy lessons you learn about volunteering: helping others brings joy to you. Funny how that works – see you in Utah!

After cruising through the Mojave Desert and stopping at the world-famous Alien Fresh Jerky store in Baker, California, I finally made my way across the casino-lined border of Nevada. Once again, the topography didn't change much -- except for the subtle shade of browns in the mountains. When one thinks of the Las Vegas area, they don't usually think of the beauty surrounding the city. I'd actually rank Las Vegas as more scenic than Phoenix and Albuquerque in the category of desert locals, if such a thing actually existed.

I was offered a place to stay by a high school friend of mine, Macy Anderson, who was one of the first people to extend a warm invite for me to come and volunteer in her community. Beside being spoiled with my own guest suite (bathroom, king-sized bed, stocked refrigerator, those fancy little bath soaps, and all the peanut butter bars I could eat), I was in for a bigger treat when I was introduced to her network of friends and family. They were so kind and very generous in both words and gifts – BIG kudos to thee!

Macy was also instrumental in finding all-star charities for me to be involved with. I strongly believe the locals know their communities best, so on Tuesday, I introduced myself to Opportunity Village. This organization came highly recommended and has a great reputation in the community. I quickly came to experience why.

“Opportunity Village is dedicated to helping people with severe intellectual and related disabilities become the very best they can be. Through vocational training, employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation, people with severe disabilities are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration and unleash creative passions.” They have an unbelievable staff who cares for the individuals and helps them develop skills and abilities to make it after they graduate from the public schools. Whether it be wrapping plastic utensils in napkins for an airline industry, creating promotions for the casinos, or recycling hotel towels into sellable dishcloths, they are given good jobs that help their communities and themselves succeed.

Because there is a series of background and safety checks in order to work directly with the disabled, I was directed to the Magical Forest. The Forest is located on an acre and a half property connected to one of the work centers. The event is huge and somehow gets bigger every year. They boast in having over three million lights and in providing the perfect atmosphere to get anyone into the holiday spirit. This event runs from the Sunday before Thanksgiving to the second of January and is the organization's largest fundraiser. I worked on a variety of projects -- stringing trees, connecting walkway rings to the power grid, taping lines, decorating a corporate tree, sanding and prepping a giant light switch -- just to name a few. Whenever I introduce myself to an organization, I always tell them I would like to help serve in "any capacity", and this definitely fell in that category.

Outside of being awestruck by this monumental event, I was blown away with the commitment to this project by people like Jack, Blaire, and Alfredo. Jack was a restaurateur who got connected to Opportunity Village by doing some catering work for them and later hosting a meatball fundraiser. He was asked to joined the staff and is now in charge of making the Magical Forest...(wait for it)...magical. Blaire comes down from Canada and Alfredo comes up from Mexico, both give over three months to setting up, running, and tearing down the event and have been doing so for many years. I enjoyed hearing their uniques stories of how they got involved with Opportunity Village and their adventures in working in the Forest.

It truly was a privilege to see what Opportunity Village is all about and to work along side those who are making a huge difference, caring for those who cannot always care for themselves. They do so with such joy and would be happy to get you involved using your talents. I know that after making it to the forty-eight scheduled states, I will eventually make it back here to help them continue their work.

If you live in the Las Vegas area, start a tradition and go spend a evening in the Magical Forest.  There's something for the whole family and you'll be helping a really great cause.

Part two will be up tomorrow. Let's just say that even though Nevada is known as the Silver State, it was nothing but gold in the people I worked alongside of and the good works they are doing in a challenging community. Make sure you take time this weekend to hear all about it.

When crossing the border into the Golden State on I-10, you're struck by a few things:

1. There is a fruit inspection station that everyone must pass through before entering the state. This in turn causes a small traffic jam and lets you know what to expect for the next two hundred miles into Los Angeles.

2. The terrain looks just like western Arizona and is pretty much void of life.

3. Cars, trucks, and buses come out of nowhere to congest the two lane interstate which quickly becomes three lanes, then four lanes, then five lanes, then a carpool lane is added, and then it's all blur.

Don't hear me wrong. I think California is great and all that jazz, but when people say they are a country inside another country, they aren't kidding. The question I posed the most to others was, “why does everyone want to live so close together?” I know the ocean and weather are two big draws, but unless you have a house right on the coast, you brush shoulders with so many people. Truthfully, I almost felt claustrophobic.

It probably didn't help that my place of residency for five out of seven days was in a college dorm room. Jordan Crabtree, a friend of mine from when I worked in southern Iowa, is in the film department at Biola University and kindly invited me to make camp there. (I can't thank Jordan, Zach, and Joel enough for their hospitality while I volunteered in the state.)

I spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday contacting organizations and filling out forms. Very similar to my experience in Arizona. One of the things I started to notice is that each state has its own hoops to jump through when volunteering. I have a hunch that California may turn out to be the one with the most forms to fill out and the longest waiting times. I knew I couldn't just sit around waiting for people to call me, I had to be proactive. I flipped through my Moleskine notebook to a page full of instant service projects I had made in prep of starting 48 by 48. At the top of the list: giving blood.

I went to the American Red Cross' website and with a few clicks, I found out where the nearest blood drives were being held. Since I have given blood several times before and also hosted one in Iowa, I knew that there are always walk-in spots available. I got in my car and headed for the Courtyard by Marriott in Cypress, CA where I gave a pint of blood.

I really like giving blood. If you have never done it before, let me recommend that you go with a friend and give it a try just once. It only takes about an hour and is virtually painless. The nurses and volunteers are always caring and will walk you through the process, plus, you get a ton of goodies at the end of your donation. Also, you never know if you might get proposed to on the spot by one of the nurses...I did. Yikes!

The other service project I took up in California came from a posting on Idealist.org. Create Now was looking for a person with a graphic design background to help them with a few projects to help get the word out about their terrific cause. Create Now uses the arts to serve the youth of the Los Angeles area who come “from poverty-stricken families with histories of violence, substance abuse, or neglect.” These kids are know as the “forgotten children” as they are “tucked away in group homes, shelters, detention facilities, special centers and schools throughout the region, under the radar of the general public.”

I was excited to use my talents as a web/graphic designer and was hoping to do so sometime in this journey. I worked on a bunch of different projects for Create Now, mostly spending my time on fliers for the upcoming “Hang Out with Vivian Campbell” auction and other networking events. Create Now really is doing a great work in the Los Angeles area and can always use more people to give their time, talents, and resources to help the least of the least. I know I am saying this a lot with most of the places I volunteer at and I make no apologies on saying it even more in the weeks ahead, but in respect to what Create Now is doing, you need to get involved. Go to their website to see where you can fit in.

Another way I was able to serve others was through buying a homeless teen a meal. On Wednesday, while I was leaving McDonald's I was approached by a guy who was asking for change. One of my policies is to not carry cash so I won't feel pressured to give if I am hit up for money, so I looked at him and said that I didn't have any change but would love to buy him a meal. His eyes lit up and immediately took me up on the offer. I conversed with him for a while and then both went our separate ways. Something as simple as buying another person a meal and showing interest in them can really go along way. I hope Bernardo finds what he is looking for in L.A. and that our paths with cross sometime in the future.

I also wanted to give a shot out to my cousin Sarah who also provided a very nice couch for me to crash on while in San Diego. One of the super cool things about the day and age we live in is that you can do a lot of office style / marketing stuff online and it allows you to work anywhere. This advancement in technology allowed my to help out in L.A. while enjoying a few days in the San Diego sun.

It sure was a privilege to start 48 by 48 off in Arizona. Many people have asked me why I started there. The answer is simple: I needed someone to take care of my beagle (Elli) while I traveled the United States. My dad, mom, and sister are the heroes here as they so willingly stepped up to help me out. Elli is in super good hands and from what I can tell, she's already being spoiled.

I spent most of my energy in the Phoenix area. Here I had a warm bed, most of my meals provided for, and 4.5 million people to serve. I started the week off by looking for some of the more commonplace areas of service, namely rescue missions, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters. Something that surprised me was the amount of applications and forms one had to fill out to even begin the process of helping out. Not to mention the paperwork the state makes you fill out and the possible fingerprinting and background checks. Monday disappeared in the filling out of online forms and making phone calls to various ministries. I was able to help out a local family in the neighborhood who was in the process of moving. I spent my time transporting boxes and doing a lot of lifting. (A theme that would continue throughout the week.)

On Tuesday, I wanted to experiment with what I called, “A Service Drive-By”. I realize this is a terrible name and am strongly looking for other suggestions, but the thinking behind a drive-by is that there are tons of opportunities to serve others, you just have to have your eyes open to see them. Let's just say it didn't go as planned. I spent most of the day driving around Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, and Gilbert looking for people to help out. Honestly, it was like a scene from a horror movie, but no one was outside! I even stopped at a local coffee shop to check my email and to ask around if there was anyone who needed or knew of someone who needed help. A big fat zero there too! The only plus from that day was I purchased a much needed tent (thanks Bryant Dittmer!) and that I was given the connection to Sunshine Acres Childrens Home.

I met up with the volunteer director at Sunshine Acres Childrens Home (SACH) who kindly helped my get involved with their great work. I encourage you to go to their website (sunshineacres.org), read their story, and then find a way to get involved with what they are doing. From the beginning back in the 1950's, their goal has always been “to provide for the emotional, social, physical, educational and spiritual support for the children, so they may learn to manage their own affairs along with maximizing the development of their potential, abilities and interests,” and from what I saw, they do this wonderfully.

I worked all day on Thursday and Friday in the distribution warehouse where I took in donations, sorted through items, transferred materials to other charities, helped load mattresses, furniture, and an assortment of brick-a-brack. I was also able to help one of the on-site workers move new furnishings into his house. The people who work there are absolutely terrific and the volunteers are just as great! If you have 3-5 hours a week to offer, I strongly suggest you spend it here. They have a ton of different positions available and can most definitely use you in your areas of giftedness.

Saturday morning, I headed to Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is known in area as the one of the more artsy, high-end parts of the Phoenix. Every year, the Franciscan Renewal Center puts on an Adopt-a-thon to help the local rescues find owners for the sheltered/fostered animals. I went there to help with the Arizona Beagle Rescue who had about a dozen beagles available for adoption. I had a blast walking the beagles, getting them water (in the Arizona heat!), scratching their bellies, introducing them to possible owners, and spending time with the many beagle foster parents. I was so fortunate to have one of the dogs, Max, who I was walking around get taken home that night. He had so much energy and was going to add so much to that couple's life. Please take a moment to check out AZBR and if you're in the Phoenix area, I strongly urge you to get involved with being a foster parent to this awesome breed.

With all that accomplished in a week, I said goodbye to my family, packed up the 48 by 48 Mobile, and took off down I-10 for California.