Dishin' Out Some Gratitude

12 Dec 2011

Head to http://trishofalltrades.tumblr.com

Tumblr won’t let me delete this blog without deleting Trish Of All Trades as well, so I decided to put up this little post. Once upon a time I thought I had to separate my thoughts into different blogs… but I’m really not that kind of girl. I prefer the mishmash that Trish Of All Trades has become. If you’re not interested in a topic, you can scroll past. Just sayin’. ;) 

So if you see a follow from “dishinoutsomegratitude”, it’s because I can’t follow you with “trishofalltrades” since DOSG is my main account. Get it? Got it? Good. 

(picture taken while walking over the Mass Ave bridge this summer)

2 Nov 2011

11/1/11 - Special #CharityTuesday post

(this is a picture I took of the banner that hung above City Hall on 9/11. It was made by the MA 9/11 Fund + MA Military Heroes Fund families as well as Art Street + Boston Cares volunteers)

One last post on this blog and it’s dedicated to the Vthankyou. During the Vthankyou campaign, people are encouraged to make videos (60 seconds or less via vsnap.com) of thanks and support to our veterans. For every message recorded, $1 will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. This is a fantastic campaign, which I will disclose I am a part of, but y’all know me, I really appreciate any way to get involved with direct service. So…

Boston Cares (Boston) helps mobilizes more than 25,000 volunteers each year at more than 300 schools and non-profits in the Greater Boston area. I’ve been a project leader with them for years, most recently helping the weekend of 9/11 as they partnered with the Massaschusetts Military Heroes Fund and the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund. I heard first hand that they have some great partnerships coming up with veterans organizations so check them out to be in the know. 

Home for Our Troops (Boston/National) is based out of Taunton, MA and they build specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans. They accept monetary donations, supplies, and labor. 

Masschusetts Military Heroes Fund (Boston) provides “support, programs and services to the families of military service personnel from Massachusetts fallen in service to the United States in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom”. They have a few events each year that need volunteers as well as opportunities to run the Boston Marathon to fundraise for them. 

New England Center for Homeless Veterans (Boston) provides “homeless veterans with the tools for independent living”. I’ve helped serve dinner here, but there are definitely several ways you can get involved. Check out the How to Help section of the website. They also have a dinner and auction at the Seaport Hotel next Wednesday (link is a PDF). 

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is encouraging volunteerism amongst their fans. On November 6th, they’re going to honor vets at the beginning of the game and they’ll be focusing on veterans services/volunteer opportunities the week of Veterans Day.  

Wounded Warrior Project (Boston/National) is an incredible organization that honors and empowers wounded warriors. I first really started to follow this organization a few years ago when my brother helped run a cycling camp for them. There are lots of ways to get involved including volunteering with their Soldier Ride which happens nationwide. 

Consider doing something… a little bit of volunteer work, writing a letter, recording a video. Just something. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to what they’ve done for us, but doing that little bit of service matters. 

27 Apr 2011

Trish of all Trades: #CharityTuesday Roundup - April 26th

trishofalltrades:

Another week, another roundup. :)

I’ll be bopping around town this weekend… helping at the Bacon & Beer Festival (sadly sold out, but benefits Lovin’ Spoonfuls, Community Servings, and Share our Strength) Saturday morning then off to Dash for a Difference with Boston Cares…

Reblogged: trishofalltrades

19 Apr 2011

#CharityTuesday Roundup - April 19th

trishofalltrades:

Wow, it’s been awhile… but instead of making excuses, I should probably just launch into the nitty gritty huh? 

Spring means a lot of things, one of them being the Boston Marathon. This year I knew far too many folks running it and while I’m super proud of them, being unemployed means not being able to give as much as I’d love to… so why not pass along their links? Plus, it’s always good to see what NPs are active in the community, right? Maybe you could even consider volunteering for them. :)

These are the folks that ran for charity: Now there’s Matty (@MattyHammers), who ran for the National Organization for Rare Diseases (@RareDiseases #National)… Shawn (@RedRoomWolf… he’s about $900 away from his goal of $6,000) with Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary… Renee with Tufts Research in Childhood Obesity and Nutrition (actually never met her, but my friends at the South End Athletic Company threw a fundraiser for her)… Varun with Brigham & Women’s Hospital… and I can’t forget some of the other orgs that I love, like Back On My Feet (@BackOnMyFeet) who had a Burger Brigade running for them outfitted with special b.good (@b_good_) costumes… also Community Servings (@communityserv… $25 feeds a client for a week) and Boston Living Center (@LivingCenter… $10 provides a personal hygiene package for a client), a couple of my fave places to volunteer. 

So what else is coming up? 

* Saturday, April 30th * #Boston Boston Cares’ Dash for a Difference! It’s scavenger hunt meets Amazing Race. I’ll be there as a Project Leader at… well, I can’t tell you now can I? :) Sign up with a team of two or more. Fundraising incentives and prizes look pretty rad: http://bit.ly/ik1hth

* Saturday, April 30th * #Boston Bacon and Beer Festival at Royale! Vendors include… well there’s a lot. You should just go to their website. :) Tickets sold out in two minutes but you can head over to Bidding for Good to try and snatch a pair. Proceeds benefit Lovin’ Spoonfuls (@lovinfoodrescue), Community Servings (@communityserv), and Share Our Strength (@sharestrength). 

* Sunday, May 1st * #Boston Walk for Hunger (@WalkforHunger) to benefit Project Bread! 660,000 people in MA don’t have enough food to eat. This 20 mile walk helps fund over 400 food programs in the state. I’ll be volunteering on the walk and cheering you on! http://bit.ly/cHB1nd

* Thursday, May 12th * #Boston Theater Offensive’s annual extravaganza fundraiser, ClimACTS at Estate! I’ve gone to this event as both a volunteer and an attendee and it’s always been a crazy good time. http://bit.ly/c4satH PS - They’ve had issues with their Twitter account @OffensiveTweets, so they’re now @OUToffensive. 

Speaking of name changes, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (#Boston #National) is now Learning Ally. If you’re in the Boston area, their studio is in North Cambridge maybe a 5+minute walk from Porter Square and also accessible by the 77 bus. You basically get in a booth and record yourself reading anything from a psychology textbook to Gone with the Wind to a Harry Potter knock off. :) 

Today I heard about Haymakers for Hope (@Haymakers4Hope). They hold charity boxing events for The Jimmy Fund (@TheJimmyFund). Thanks to WHERE (@WHERE) for pointing me in their direction! Check out their page for more info. They reached out to me on Twitter so I’m going to see what kind of volunteer opportunities they have and I’ll report back. 

As a final note, I posted this on my Facebook the other day, but I figured I’d share here too. I’ve been watching a lot of TED talks lately. They’re usually about 18 minutes long, but this one’s a quickie. The gist? You matter. :) 

Reblogged: trishofalltrades

23 Feb 2011

Trish of all Trades: #CharityTuesday Roundup - February 22nd

trishofalltrades:

(This burger picture will make sense in a few paragraphs)

Hey hey… hope folks are having a good week thus far.

For those of you out there that aren’t familiar with Twitter, there’s this hashtag (aka… a keyword that makes topics easier to search… when you click on it, you see all the…

Reblogged: trishofalltrades

17 Jan 2011

Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last year I was a fellow in the Boston Cares Civic Leadership Institute. It was there I was assigned to read Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Drum Major Instinct”. My favorite paragraph, like many folks out there, is… 

“And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”

I can’t say it any better than that. I hope you take some time to volunteer this year. For the n00bs out there, I’ve listed some of the events (by month) and organizations I’ve had the privilege to volunteer with in Boston over the past few years. While I’ve linked to their Boston chapters, my friend Erica pointed out some of the organizations are national (update: I’ve marked them). I’ve also included a few new orgs I learned about in 2010 and will hopefully work with this year! Feel free to add more organizations/charities/non-profits in the comments! Note: The pictures below are mine and most of them were taken last year. 

January

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 17, 2011)

This year Boston Cares volunteers were based out of the Curley School and worked on a variety of projects.

From painting murals for the school with Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes… 

…to making fleece scarves for the Newton Special Olympics and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless…

…building benches to go in and around the Curley School (with the help of some folks from Target)… 

…making Valentine’s Day cards for the Walnut Street Center…

…coloring in patches for quilts that were going to be sewn and sent to Room to Grow…

…and putting together dental kits for Women’s Lunch Place and Pine Street Inn. 

AIDS Action Dance Party (January 21, 2011) - Girl, you know it’s true… I’ve rocked the fro for this event to raise money for AIDS Action. It’s a 70s-80s theme in case you were wondering…  

Super Hunger Brunch (January 29-30, 2011) - You were going to get brunch, why not head to one of the listed restaurants for one of their $25, $35, and $50 pre-fixe options. Food and services are donated and all the proceeds go to the Greater Boston Food Bank. You must make reservations by calling the restaurant directly. Some do sell out quickly! 

February

Tummy to Toes (January/February 2011)- Collect baby food and baby shoes to be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank and Room to Grow.  Host a drive or donate them directly. The baby Chucks? Those are from me. 

March

Mustachio Bashio (March 2, 2011) -  Gentleman step it up and grow a mustache! Or if you can’t grow one, well, that’s what costume mustaches are for. This all makes for an awesome wrap party to benefit Community Servings. 

Taste of the South End (March 8, 2011) - Walk around the Cyclorama sampling food and wine from some of the South End’s best restaurants. Yes, I’m encouraging you to drink wine to support AIDS Action.  

LifeSavor (March 31, 2011) - Dinner and a silent auction with some really incredible Boston experiences up for grabs to benefit Community Servings. Last year I was an auction volunteer at a prize table that featured yacht rides, season tickets to the A.R.T., and dinners with Anne B. Copps and Corby Kummer! 

April

Dash for a Difference (TBA) If the Amazing Race were all about non-profits, this would be it. Teams race all over the city volunteering at various non-profits. Help with this event or form a team. Some folks, like the Dashing GaGas pictured below, go all out!

ClimACTS (TBA) - Ah, the annual fundraiser for Theater Offensive. I’ve both attended and volunteered at this giant dance party/dinner/auction under the Big Top and it’s always a great time. Amanda Palmer, Alan Cumming, and Christian Siriano have all been involved with this event. One of my favorite auction items? A walk on role to How I Met Your Mother!

May

Walk for Hunger (May 1, 2011) A 20 mile walk to raise money for Project Bread. I’ve always had a great time cheering on the participants as a walk marshall. An awesome way to get to know the city and to support an organization that helps so many food programs and shelters in Massachusetts.  

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (May 14-15, 2011) A 40 mile walk to raise money for breast cancer advocacy. I’ve walked (Long Beach) and volunteered (Boston - in the office and for the walk). 

June

Harpoon 5 Miler (TBA) Not many runs have beer waiting at the finish line, but what else would you expect from Harpoon? Money raised goes to the Angel Fund and ALS research.

AIDS Walk (June 5, 2011) Walk, run or help with registration/the route. One of those walks where you’ll see the same dedicated folks year after year, it’s definitely one of my favorites. 

Out of Darkness Overnight Walk (The Overnight Walk is in NYC this year June 4-5th but they have a 3-5 mile walk that is in October) One of the more powerful walks you’ll ever participate in, this 18 mile overnight benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There’s one national walk & it changes cities each year.  

July

Susan G. Komen for the Cure 60 Mile Walk (Jully 22-24, 2011) Walk or volunteer for this event that benefits Komen. Pictured below is one of my favorite moments… walkers take off their shoes after their 60 mile journey and salute all those that have had breast cancer.

 

August

It’s pretty hot in August and the events are at a minimum. I generally take some time off around this time but last year I went to Denver and did the 60 mile walk for Komen… then again it was slightly cooler (with no humidity) there. ;) 

September 

Memory Walk (Walpole September 24, 2011; Cambridge September 25, 2011; Andover October 2, 2011) Walk or volunteer for this annual walk that benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. You’ll encounter some of the most adorable walkers and teams ever.  

Heart Walk (TBA) Yes, that’s a giant heart you can walk through courtesy of the American Heart Association.

October

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (TBA) Walk or volunteer for this annual event that benefits the American Cancer Society. This was one of the first walks I did in Boston. 

Light the Night (TBA) Walk or volunteer for this annual event that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Another powerful experience, participants carry illuminated red balloons along the walk and survivors carry white ones. 

November 

Celebration of Life (TBA) Help set up, greet, or serve food at this annual Thanksgiving Dinner for clients of the Boston Living Center. Pictured below is a performance by the group, One Love, a program for teens living with HIV.  

Pie in the Sky (November 2011) Sell pies, help in the office, or sort/box at Pie Headquarters. Last year, this large scale bake sale raised over $500,000 for Community Servings. One of the yummier fundraisers you can participate in, below is a giant pie that was made for last year’s fundraiser. 

Chilly Half Marathon (November 13, 2011) Help along the race route for this run that benefits the American Liver Foundation. Warning, if you hand out gatorade like I did last year, prepare to have orange hands 

Boston Volvo 5K Road Race (November 24, 2011) Help with registration or along the race route for this walk that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I’ve gotta say, because it takes place on Thanksgiving, you’ll encounter some of the nicest volunteers… although it’s so cold, they may be friendly just to get in on some body warmth. 

December 

Frosty’s Friends (TBA) Organize a drive or donate a gift to kids in emergency shelters/low-income housing programs. Definitely a good project for the office or among a group a friends. 

Walk and Rock for Change (TBA) - Help answer phone lines during their pay-to-play marathon that benefits Greater Boston Food Bank. This has proven to be an incredibly hilarious experience at the WAAF studios.

Anytime Volunteering (or donating of course)

826 Boston (national - an NP dedicated to creative writing for youth… tutor, lead a workshop, grow a mustache)

Autism Speaks (national - help at a special event)

Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence (help with advocacy, tutor, do translation services, office work, volunteer at a special event)

American Red Cross Food Pantry (national - sort, package, distribute food)

Back on My Feet (national - an NP dedicated to connecting homeless people to running programs… run with a team or help with event transportation, event planning, fundraising)

Big Sister Association of Greater Boston (national - become a big sister, help in the office or at a special event)

Birthday Wishes (national - help throw a birthday party for a homeless child)

Boston Living Center (help serve lunch/dinner, monitor the computer lab, or help in the office or with a special event… they also need certified massage therapists and hairstylists/barbers)

Boston Rape Crisis Center (help with the hotline, in the office, fundraising, or with one of their special events)

Boys and Girls Club (national - teach a variety of subjects, tutor, or help in the office)

Christmas in the City (lotsa ways to help w/this volunteer run organization that throws a giant Christmas party for area homeless shelters)

Citizen’s School (national - teach!)

Community Servings (prep/deliver food or help at one of their special events)

Cradles to Crayons (Boston/Phily - sort through donations or run a drive)

Earthworks (Orchard Care) (help maintain the urban orchards and wilds. Note: Earthworks has dissolved. The picture below is from the very last project they did… but keep an eye on their page as the board is trying to find a way to continue their work. You can also be proactive and contact them. Teaching students to grow food and keeping our city green is an incredibly worthwhile cause. )

Franklin Park Zoo (clean, interpret, garden, help with special events, or become a zoo ambassador)

Friday Night Supper Program (help serve dinner or attend one of their special events)

Greater Boston Food Bank (sort through donations or help with special events)

Haley House Bakery and Cafe (clean or help in the kitchen. Pictured below is when my group helped decorate Easter cookies last year.)

Handel & Haydn Society (usher or help with the merch table)

Harvest Food Pantry (set up donations, help people pick out their food, help with their clothing closet)

Home for Little Wanderers (mentor a homeless child, tutor… help at special events, in their thrift shop, or in the office)

Horizons for Homeless Children (help with special events or be a playspace activity leader)

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (provide legal services, sort through donations, visit isolated seniors, assist with therapeutic dance for people with Parkinson’s & their families)

Kids Can Cook (prep and cook a dinner with kids)

Kids in Nature (new NP I came across that connects low-income children with nature)

Lovin’ Spoonfuls (be a pickup or delivery driver for food rescue)

Music Drives Us (music organization… help at special events+fundraisers)

New England Center for Homeless Veterans (serve dinner)

On the Rise (make lunch at this women’s day shelter, sort donations, clean)

Pine Street Inn (prep/serve meals)

Playworks (national - just learned about them last year, but who isn’t pro-recess?)

Puddingstone Urban Wild (clean up/care)

Reach Out & Read (national - read to children waiting for doctor’s appointments… I’ve also seen an opportunity to dress up as Clifford the big red dog. heh)

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (national - record audio books)

Room to Grow (Boston/NYC - sort through donations (baby clothes, toys, books) for babies born into poverty… help with fundraisers & special events. Pictured below is a mock setup of their office at their annual gala)

Rosie’s Place (serve food at this women’s shelter, visit, assist with buying groceries… they’re also in need of ESL teachers/tutors & art teachers)

Saturday/Sunday’s Bread (prep/serve lunch to homeless people in the Beacon Hill area)

Science Club for Girls (mentor/be a guest speaker/host a field trip/job shadow)

Somerville Homeless Coalition (run a food or toiletry drive/contact them for more opportunities)

Starlight Children’s Foundation (national - lots of different volunteer opportunities)

Tenacity (learned about this NP last year, but they’re focused on youth/literacy/tennis)

United Way (national - lots of different volunteer opportunities)

Women’s Lunch Place (serve/prep meals)

Zumix (music organization… they also have a 5K to raise money)

1 Dec 2010

Silence is not the answer… speak up, reach out, walk, volunteer, eat!

When I heard about the celebrity campaign of silence and digital death for World AIDS Day, I knew I needed to write a post. I won’t completely rant here because of the nature of this blog but I will say that in this instance, silence is not the answer. At the end of the day, celebrity deaths will never be comparable to people that have died of AIDS. Texting to resurrect faux dead celebrities? Seriously? Is it really a sacrifice for them to give up social media for a day when, like my friend Christine pointed out, they’ve hired someone else to post messages for them? Words and emotions cannot even express the anger I feel… but alas, we can’t fight negative with negative.

My mom used to be a nurse in a couple hospitals in Newark, NJ. In the early 90s one of those hospitals, UMDNJ, started the Walk for Champions which benefited people (specifically women and children) with AIDS. When my mom brought my friend Blessy and I to one of their very first walks, I’m pretty sure she intended to get in a workout rather than inspire a dedication to fighting the disease. And while Blessy and I didn’t finish the walk, we ate too many pierogies and PowerBars pre-walk and spent most of it riding in an ambulance with a Polly Pocket, it’s an experience I will forever remember as the catalyst for my life as a cause walker. And a staunch advocate for never mixing pierogies and PowerBars at any meal.

I think fundraising and donating are fantastic. It’s what keeps a lot of these organizations and foundations going…but wearing a red ribbon isn’t enough. If we don’t encourage people to act and to get involved, AIDS is just another disease that’s out in the universe instead of in our own backyard. When people see the amount of good they can do, I think it hooks em in. I’m just an optimist like that I guess.

Here are the organizations that I’ve worked with in Boston:

AIDS Action Committee - http://www.aac.org/ - Facebook - Twitter

Click here to see AIDS Action Committee’s list of events ranging from films, forums, fashion shows and more for today.

I’ve only sampled a bit of the buffet of what AAC has to offer…going to fundraisers and bringing a group to the office to stuff education packets, but AAC is an incredible anchor for action and care in the Boston AIDS/HIV community. For a full list of programs and services they offer, check out their Programs page and for volunteer opportunities, check out their Volunteer page.

I believe a walk is a great first step (okay I’ll stop now). I see it as taking a stand, visibility for a cause, a form of education, and a fantastic way to meet people that feel the way you do. There’s nothing like standing in a crowd of 1,000+ knowing you’re all trying to work towards an amazing goal. If you’re so inclined, sign ups for the AIDS Walk Boston (Facebook - Twitter) opened up today. The walk takes place on June 5, 2011 and there’s also a 5K run. I’ve volunteered the past few years and it’s been a lot of fun. 

They also have big events like Taste of the South End (Facebook - Twitter), a night of wine and food from South End restaurants, and even 2 resale stores, Boomerangs, that benefit AAC programs.

This year, AIDS Action and Cambridge Cares About AIDS (Facebook) merged and are now operating under AIDS Action. Not sure what they’ll be doing with Dining Out For Life (Facebook - Twitter), a fundraiser for CCAA that involved local restaurants, but it’s another benefit to keep an eye out for because really, who doesn’t like going out to dinner for a cause.

Boston Living Center - http://www.bostonlivingcenter.org/ - Facebook - Twitter

The BLC is a resource center for those living with HIV/AIDS. They serve meals, provide housing assistance, arts programs, and more. I normally help serve dinner (generally 5:30-8PM) when I’ve been by, but they also have lunch services that need volunteers if you have some time midday (generally 10-2PM). Last week I volunteered at their annual Celebration of Life. There were about 650 people in attendance, clients plus their friends and family, and it was just an amazing night of food and Thanksgiving. That evening they had a music group from the 1 Love Project (Facebook - Twitter). 1 Love is an organization that focuses on teens living with HIV, one of the few of its kind since most programs go from pediatric straight to adult care. Haven’t volunteered with them yet, so that’s all the info I’ve got.

As part of their 31 Nights of Light, the Prudential Center will light up red tonight in honor of the BLC. Look up at 5PM!

For a full list of volunteer opportunities at BLC, check out their Volunteer page.

Community Servings - http://www.servings.org - Facebook - Twitter 

CS is not exclusively an AIDS/HIV organization but they do prepare and deliver meals to people that are critically ill (AIDS/HIV, cancer, MS, severe diabetes, etc) and their families. A lot of the volunteering at CS is in prepping the food. They strive to make fantastic meals that are also healthy and when using the freshest of ingredients, prep time takes a little longer. So if you volunteer, expect to cut, peel, and package meats and veggies. If you’d rather stay out of the kitchen, they also need delivery drivers and people to work in their office in Jamaica Plain. I’ve also volunteered for their two big fundraisers Pie in the Sky (around Thanksgiving) and Lifesavor (in the Spring), and they’ve been incredible experiences. Pie in the Sky raised $450,000 this year and as they like to say “the secret ingredient is you”. 

I encourage you to get involved in the AIDS/HIV community in Boston. If you’d like a buddy to volunteer with or would like more information, please let me know. Don’t be silent.

20 Sep 2010

60 (S)Miles For Bust

(picture of breast cancer survivors; taken by me)

Last year, I did the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 60 mile walk in DC alongside 2,300 people. A couple weeks ago, I did the walk in Denver alongside 500 people.

You might be thinking what I was thinking… “500 people? That’s it? I’d be afraid to be last each day”. Exxxxacccctlly. The night before the walk, Kat (a friend of mine that was on crew) asked if I was excited. I’m pretty sure I said… “I’ll be excited when it’s over.” I was letting the fear take hold of me. Then at opening ceremonies… surrounded by a sea of pink and my cape flowing in the wind… I knew. I knew I was going to be alright.

Did I mention I wore a pink cape during the 60 mile walk?

(picture of my cape and my Komen fanny pack aka utility belt; taken by me)

The Wednesday before, Kat and I were talking about a cape she got from a previous walk/run and I became obsessed with the idea of getting one for myself. This obsession turned into a definite must when a friend sent me an e-mail saying her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor, just went back into the hospital. She asked if I was writing names on a shirt or something, and I knew right then and there… Kat and I had to make capes. Lucky for us, just a few doors down from breakfast, there was a thrift shop. As fate would have it, there was a perfect (for the purpose) pink David’s Bridal bridesmaid dress hanging on the rack for just $12! Somewhere a bride smiled because we fulfilled the promise of wearing that dress again.

The night before the walk, I stayed up pretty late getting high off Sharpie fumes and making sure everyone’s names were on the cape. I started off with my family…my grandmother (who had breast cancer), my mom, and my godkids. Then moved onto my best friends and all those who donated and supported me this year. I added friends that had just been diagnosed and were fighting for their lives… people that friends had asked me to walk for… and at the very bottom, I wrote my name. At 5AM the day of the walk I felt pretty silly wearing a cape. Seriously, who does that? But I sucked up the embarrassment and I tied it around my neck. Walking by people, they all smiled. I wasn’t sure if it was the comraderie or the cape, but I didn’t care.

(picture of the goal wall; picture taken by me)

At opening ceremonies, there was a wall for people to write their goals for the walk. I decided to make at least 60 people smile or laugh, 1 for each mile.

And it really wasn’t hard AT all. Wearing a cape is like bringing the hot date to the party… everyone wants to know the dilly. As I walked by people, they’d say, “Good morning, Superwoman!”… “Check out Wonder Woman’s cape!” … “Do you mind if I rub the cape? You’ve been ahead of us all day, I think it might have some magic powers.” … “Like OMG, she has a cape, did you see her cape? It’s like so totally cool.” …”That cape is hot. Like warm hot but sexy hot too.” I talked to at least 40 people that first day.

(picture of what most of Day 2 looked like; picture taken by me)

The second day must have been one of the most physically demanding days of my life. The Denver folks decided to add more trails this year. More trails meant we were not easily accessible for medics or sweep vans… soooooo… if you were going to walk those trails, you had better be careful. There were times when I didn’t see anyone. This scared me a lot, so I started to keep pace with this woman and although we didn’t speak (too many hills/altitude was getting to me), we supported each other through a rough 6 mile stretch. When I was alone… walking on pavement by the side of the highway, no trees, no people, sun beating down… I felt totally defeated. I was angry. Angry at the sun, at the organizers, and at my worn down feet. Then all of a sudden a big whip of wind would sweep through and I’d feel the tug of the cape or I’d feel it brush against my calves. Hippie sounding or not, that’s what kept me going. Knowing how lucky I was to even be walking… thinking about all the people that supported me this year… all the people that have supported me in this decade long relationship with Komen… they were all with me being the wind beneath my cape. :)

(picture of a walker and some crew…this guy’s had is quite sentimental; picture taken by me)

On top of that, I met the most interesting people that day. One woman who had Stage IV breast cancer and Komen was helping her pay for her treatment… one woman who had just finished her chemo in March… a man who had over 200 names written on a hat with pink jewels next to all the people that had passed. Hearing their stories, it just reminded me that life is about putting one foot in front of the other.

I was so worried about being a part of this small walk, but I was exactly where I needed to be. The fewer the people, the more awareness needs to be raised. I talked to more people than on any other walk that I’ve done. And I’m not just talking about fellow walkers, I met some strangers that didn’t know why we were walking or why we wearing pink. Those are the people that needed to hear our story. And who says a small group of people can’t accomplish something? The Denver walk raised over $1.5 million dollars!

So thank you again to everyone who has ever supported me and especially to those who supported me this year. Also to the many local restaurants and companies that donated to my fundraiser: Myers+Chang, Turner Fisheries, La Morra, B. Good, Flour Bakery, The Second Glass, Boston Pita Pit, Boloco, Bella Sante, Eversave, Dorado Tacos, Great Scott, Upper Crust, Gari Fushion, Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Bella Luna/Milky Way, my friend Tarah who put together a Tastefully Simple Insta-BBQ basket, and ESPECIALLY Improv Boston for allowing me to hold a fundraiser at their venue.

So, I’ll see you next year! I’m challenging myself to walk 100 miles… one 40 mile and one 60 mile. Till next time…

(picture of the shoe salute to the women and men with breast cancer and all those people that we walk for; picture taken by me)

12 Jul 2010

Moving the blog…treadmill-style

Doogie Howser, MD Season 1 cover

Hey folks… thanks so much for reading my Dishin’ Out the Gratitude blog! It’s now http://dishinoutthegratitude.tumblr.com and now http://trishofalltrades.tumblr.com will be the food, music, theatre, social media, marketing, Boston (and beyond) adventures, as well as personal stuff that you see on my Twitter account.

PS - Borrowed Doogie Howser, MD Season 1 from the Boston Public Library this week. He truly is the first modern blogger to me. Although his blogs are so succinct, he could probably pass as the first tweeter too (of the non-avian persuasion).


PPS - Treadmill-style aka moving but really staying in the same place since Tumblr automatically subs you to this blog despite the name change. :)

20 Apr 2010

Volunteering - Yeah, I’m in it for the long haul..

(Pictured above: Quote I saw on the door of Lisa Brown, the volunteer coordinator at the Boston Living Center)

My father told me once that I couldn’t save the world. It was like this nonchalant thing and it rolled off his tongue as if he were saying hello or goodbye. He probably didn’t mean for it to stick in my head or to impact my life (or to cause a blog). It’s just something that’s often said to people like me.. a slightly too ambitious bit of a perfectionist.. that just needs to chillax sometimes. Yeah, I said it.. chillax. Little did he know, stubborn child that I was, that I would take this as a challenge. I would save the world.. and I wouldn’t stuff it in his face or anything because that’s not what world-savers do. 

It’s been about 20 years of walking, fundraising, planning, reading, planting, cheering, painting, sorting, chopping, cleaning, giving, stacking, playing, donating, writing, wrapping, talking, smiling, and sharing meals with strangers and new friends. So at the end of the day, what keeps me going? Man.. how much time do you have? There are so many reasons why I do what I do it really depends on what day you catch me.

If I’m..

..sorting and inspecting food at the Greater Boston Food Bank it’s because I know that in just a few hours, I can help provide 10,000 meals (based on one of the last times I was there with about 40 volunteers over a less than 3 hour period). How can you not volunteer a couple hours every once in awhile when you know it can lead to such a huge impact? 

..putting packets together for Countdown to Kindergarten it’s because I loved kindergarten.. naps, toys, subtraction before it had anything to do with bank accounts and bills.. it’s an experience all kids should have.. 

..serving meals at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans it’s because it’s the least I can do for these men and women that have done so much for my country.. 

..at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic it’s because I’m a writer/lover of stories and fiction. Books can be educational, entertaining, or distracting.. but they are essential in development. Plus it’s pretty cool to be in a sound booth..

..preparing/decorating cookies at the Haley House Bakery it’s because I’m the cookie monster. And helping an organization that has so greatly impacted the homeless population in Boston for over 40 years, is slightly more productive then opening up some cookie dough at home and eating it by myself.. 

I think the keys to longevity in volunteering.. and in everything really.. are to find what you love to do and things that you can identify with. Volunteering needs to be a reflex. It’s like exercise. If you don’t make it a part of routine, then it’s less likely to stick. For some, this might be finding a weekly activity.. for others, it may just be marking on their calender one day a month that they’ll take time to give back.. or maybe it’s finding friends to kick you in the butt when you haven’t volunteered in awhile. 

It’s about realizing that you can’t save the world alone and every little bit counts. So, are you volunteering this week? What are you doing to improve your lil patch of the world? :)