I Went to South Dakota and Saw This…

On a recent trip to Sioux Falls, SD, I happened to be at the Empire Mall during Sanford Hospital’s fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. The fundraiser featured cake creations that people paid a dollar to vote on. I happened to have my camera with me, and this is what I saw! [Read more...]

My Heart Goes Out to Haiti

Trip to Haiti 024Today I came home from picking the kids up from Chinese class and taking my oldest to swim practise. As I popped supper in the oven, and did a quick inventory of all my “to do” items for the evening, I took a second to check Facebook. Apparently not even 10 minutes prior, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, and a friend was kind enough to alert it to my attention. Suddenly, nothing I had planned seemed important. Tragedy will do that.

As you may know from my previous blog posts, Haiti is near and dear to me. I fell in love with the country when I traveled there in 2008, and I’ve stayed in touch with people and projects there. I am having trouble even comprehending the catastrophic repercussions of what is going on there tonight. If Haiti lacked infrastructure before, it is left with total destruction, pain, and chaos.

We prayed aloud at our dinner table tonight for the people of Haiti, and I had trouble even enjoying the food knowing so many people are suffering, scared, and missing loved ones. We frantically checked CNN, online news, Twitter feeds, and even listened to a live feed from a Haitian radio (in creole) moments after the disaster. Then I was struck by a thought.

Would I get on a plane tomorrow to go help?

Yes, I would. If I thought I could help and not hinder in any way, I would. Would it be a disturbing and hard trip with plenty of safety and travel issues? Yes, but I would still go. Once you travel to Haiti, it gets in your blood. The people are so wonderful. Please, pray for these people. Watch for ways you can help in the days to come. Lend your support in creative ways. If you are like me, you feel stuck in Minnesota with no medical emergency or civil engineering experience, but you can bet that if someone thinks of something I can do to help, I will.

We will continue with our Haiti Fundraiser on January 23rd as planned, and we will all be more determined as ever to help raise funds for Haiti! Check out our Deep Freeze Dunk!penguins

Here’s a great link to organizations helping with the Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts!

Love Hot Dogs?

redshotThis post really should be written as a “Confession” that I’ve eaten too many Red’s Hot dogs, but since it’s an event and fundraiser, I opted to put it in my “News” section. If you live in Minnesota and EVER drive Hwy 7 or Hwy 15 through Hutchinson, there’s a place you have to check out.

It’s Red’s Hot Dog stand.

They are the best hotdogs in the state of Minnesota. We’re talking Cooking Channel good! From their gourmet buns made only for Red’s Hot to their Vienna Beef dogs, this yummy drive up treat has people waiting in line to choose between a Hutch Hottie, Chicago Dog, Vegetarian Option, and their new “Special of the Day”.

Want to know where to find them? You have to follow Red’s Here on Twitter or Here on Facebook, unless you want to drive around until you spot their bright umbrellas. Even WCCO and Kare11 TV crews came to Hutchinson last week and checked them out!

live-united-childrenNext week, September 14-20th Red’s Hot will be donating proceeds to the McLeod County United Way. How cool is that! All you have to do is stop by and eat hotdogs.