ReStorative powers of volunteerism September 20, 2012

Last month, I helped save some craftsmanship from a home that has since been torn down in the Wellington Heights neighborhood of  Cedar Rapids. When all that’s left to do is to say goodbye to a beautiful structure, this crew of do-gooders does it with reverence and respect.

My Role:  Salvage Volunteer

When: Saturday, August 18, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Benefiting: ReStore Cedar Rapids in partnership with Save CR Heritage

How I got involved in this project

One of my Facebook friends liked the following post on The Czech Village/New Bohemia Urban Main Street District page, which led me to investigate further:

Salvage volunteers needed to help save irreplaceable craftsmanship and material from this once grand home. Address is 1241 Third Ave. SE. Work on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Help as little or as much as you can. Tools provided. Materials to be donated to ReStore. Do a good deed to help the preservation effort!

A few more minutes of social network sleuthing uncovered that this project would be led by Save CR Heritage and ReStore Cedar Rapids, two great organizations that I have been wanting to learn more about. Everything that we salvaged, hardware like a window weights, original door knobs and, my personal conquest, the banister on the main stair case, will become inventory at ReStore Cedar Rapids.  The craftsmanship will live on with someone who appreciates it and the proceeds from the sales will help fund Habitat for Humanity projects.

More about the day

I met up with Seth Opperman from ReStore and Beth DeBoom from Save CR Heritage onsite in the morning and we got to work looking for and extracting hidden treasures.  We had a lot of fun and Mayor Ron Corbett even stopped by.  Check it out and like Save CR Heritage on facebook to help with future rescues and salvages:

Beth DeBoom’s post on the SaveCRHeritage facebook page says it all: Katie Geiken celebrates conquering a banister removal all by herself. It’s hard to see the carving detail, but Mark Hunter says when this home was built in the late 1890′s there were four craftsmen in town who specialized in such work. A lost art and attention to detail. Saved!

Seth giving the AmeriCorps NCCC team their instructions. Talk about a Do-Good Crew!

Seth set his sights on this hidden window on the second floor. Once uncovered, it was beautiful. Someone who buys it from ReStore will be getting an absolute treasure while supporting the work of Habitat for Humanity.

When the Czech Ninja Calls… July 25, 2012

— I jump over all obstacles to answer!

More than 15,000 bike riders have been riding their way across the great state of Iowa since Sunday on the Register’s (40th) Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) in 100 degree weather.  They descend on Cedar Rapids tomorrow after an 85 mile day.  I figure the least I can do help them find some kolaches!

My Role:  Info Desk Volunteer with the most-est in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village for Breakfast on the Bridge

When: Friday, July 27, 4:30 a.m. (yike!) to 9:00 a.m.

Benefiting: All smart riders stopping for breakfast before leaving Cedar Rapids on their trek to Anamosa.

Why I Chose to Volunteer to make RAGBRAI in Cedar Rapids the Best

I think this question is best answered with a series of pictures (in no particular order).

Because my friend Jennifer Pickar asked me to help. She and the crew at the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau make you want to say yes!

These are kolaches. (It could be that the plural of ‘kolache” is also “kolache”. Forgive me, Czech friends, if this is the case.)

My sister-in-law Sara, husband Carl and I at the end of RAGBRAI 2009. I saw Iowa for the first time in 2004 through the eyes of RAGBRAI and I am still falling in love.

The Czech Ninja and Sara Reasner want you! Do yourself a favor and click on the picture to watch the Ninja in action on YouTube. My friend Sara is the mastermind behind Breakfast on the Bridge and she has some pretty persuasive friends.

Nailed it! July 22, 2012

What a fantastic morning I had out on the Women Build site!  I made some new friends and and reconnected with some other do-gooders that I have met before. Plus, I got a lot of cool swag! — a stylish Women Build hat, t-shirt and water bottle. We had cold water all day and frequent reminders to drink it.  The most surprising part of the day was that I actually could contribute.  I don’t think of myself as handy but there I was, lending  a hand.  And with enough of us doing just that, an actual house was being built!  Amazing!

In addition to being inspired by my fellow Women Builders, I was blown away by the volunteer power couple Bob and Doris.  These two had all of us moving in the right direction from start to finish with their quiet confidence and clear, patient explanations.  Retired, Doris and Bob live in Florida but it doesn’t sound like they spend much time there.  They travel in their camper to building sites all over the country, wherever Habitat needs them.  Sound like superheros?  Not that far off.  They’ll stay in Cedar Rapids until this house is complete in late August.

Not so surprisingly, one of my favorite parts of the day was all the great conversations.  As we worked, we talked, joked and got to know each other.  My friend Steph and I were side by side catching up from the beginning.  Kim was the first one to jump up on the roof and the last one down. And while I was anticipating an ice pack and my couch, she was looking forward to a golf trip in Des Moines the following day. Tall Marilyn jumped in to reach all the high stuff; she works for Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and this was her second Saturday out on the site.  Heidi was celebrating her birthday on that Saturday and her family came out at mid morning break to cheer her on.  Malorie came out despite feeling crumby and she recruited her mom JoAnn to pitch in too.  JoAnn and I had met before.  She and her colleagues at the Pediatric Center organized a year long collection to support the children’s area in the new Cedar Rapids Public Library downtown.  In fact, this same crew of library fans from the Pediatric Center would be showing up for the afternoon shift.  Way to go, JoAnn!

I have had a lot of fun this summer (and not as much time to blog in a timely manor ) My morning on the Women Build site is up there with the best of times.  I was filthy and worn out but also grinning ear to ear  as I drove home.  As I passed Cleveland park, I pulled a quick u-turn when I saw the splash pad.  There were a lot of stunned kids watching a grown woman run through the sprinklers in dirty cloths giggling !  Alas, I have no pictures from the park but I do have some great images of my fellow Women Builders.  Thanks for the fun!

To volunteer call 319-366-4485 or volunteer@CVHabitat.org.  Find them on Facebook: CVHfH Women Build.

Heidi and her family. What a great Birthday!

Setting up scaffolding. We put a lot of this stuff together.

JoAnn and Evonne smiling for the camera.

What would Rosie the Riveter have to say about my bedazzled hammer? June 28, 2012

You know it! Click on Rosie’s gun to visit the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2012 web page.

She’d say “Cool hammer!” and we’d get to work.

This weekend, I’ll be participating in National Women Build 2012

My Role:  Building beauty (we’ll be laying roofing shingles with style)

When: Saturday, June 30, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Benefiting: the very deserving Kagoma/Nkoribigawa Family of nine

Why I Chose Habitat for Humanity

My friend from the Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2011 (a.k.a. Best Class Ever!) Stephanie Bredman put out the call for a few great women.  How could I refuse?  Habitat is a volunteering institution, and I figured it was high time for me to role up my sleeves and get my hands dirty.

Plus it gives me a chance to write about the amazing Women Build project which runs on almost every Saturday from June 22 through the end of August.  The project gathers a group of women from all different  groups, companies, organizations and backgrounds to lead and volunteer together to build one Habitat home in Cedar Rapids.

The best part is that there is NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!  Not only is Lowe’s a sponsor, providing $30,000 to Habitat and a $5,000 gift card for materials, but they are also holding free skills classes at the Blairs Ferry Road location on Thursday nights prior to the building Saturdays.  I went to one tonight and I feel much more prepared to lay down some shingles than I was when I left work at 5 p.m.

How I got involved (and how you can too)

Human Resource Director Patti Kunz shared that there are still some open Women Build spots on:

Saturday, July 14

Nope, that’s not me. But Rory Gilmore volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in one episode of Gilmore Girls and Lorelai made her a glittery hammer for the big day. Hey, I take inspiration where I can find it!

Saturday, July 21

Saturday, July 28

Saturday, August 4

Shifts are from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or all day.  To sign up for a volunteer slot call 319-366-4485 or volunteer@CVHabitat.org.  Find them on Facebook: CVHfH Women Build.

I finally get to put my glittery Texas speed wrench to use!

Whooo are youuu? May 21, 2012

I am a volunteer and my adventures this month were in the wonderland that is Theatre Cedar Rapids (TCR).

I already went down the rabbit hole on this one. I hope that you enjoy the re-cap.

My Role:  Usher Extraordinaire for TCR’s final production of Alice in Wonderland

When:  Last Saturday, May 19, 6:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids

Benefiting: The talented actors on stage and the community of supporters smart enough to come watch them shine.

Why I Chose TCR

Click the image to view video highlights from Theatre Cedar Rapids’ original adaptation of “Alice In Wonderland.”

Need I explain that I have a flair for the dramatic?  I have seen a few productions since TCR reopened post-flood, and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself every time that I have set foot in the building.  The experience really does start right when you walk through the door.  The place is beautiful.  The first show that I saw there was Rent and as I waited with friends in the Linge Lounge for the show to start I thought how wonderfully supportive Cedar Rapidians were to come out in droves to support community theater.  As soon as the show began I realized that patrons of TCR come to be entertained and that the volunteers acting on stage would not disappoint.  How could you not want to be a part of this fantastic community asset?

Right this way! (My debut as an usher)

Ushers were asked to arrive at 6:15 p.m. for orientation before a 7:30 p.m. show. House Manager Jody Lippmann gave us the rundown — check people’s tickets, show them to their seat, smile, repeat.  We also asked patrons to finish up their food and beverages before entering the auditorium unless they had one of the cool adult size TCR “sippy cups”.

Once the show starts, ushers are allowed to sit and watch.  If the performance is sold out, ushers can still enjoy the show from the aisle.  My partner Sara and I were assigned to the balcony.  I walked the space to get the gist of the seat layout — lower rows have lower letters, the lowest numbers are in the center, even numbers to the right, odd to the left.  Sound confusing?  I must admit that it was for me too.  Luckily the audience was knowledgeable and patient.  I got it within the first few (okay, ten) trips and I am all set for next time.

Ushering in the last performance of Alice in Wonderland. Thanks for showing me the ropes, crew!

How I got involved (& how you can too)

Community members contributed more than 35,000 volunteer hours making TCR great last year. They filled valuable roles as  board members, ushers, working on set construction, backstage crew, lighting, props, sound, stage management or as actors on stage.

Their website (www.theatrecr.org) makes it so easy to get involved. When I got the idea to work with TCR in May, it literally took me 5 minutes to find a show and sign up to help using their “sign up genius” form.

I really enjoyed the show.  It was a unique interpretation of a story that I love.  I pulled my copy of Lewis Carroll’s classic off the shelf when I got home and plan to re-acquaint myself with my own imagination.

Who am I, Caterpillar? Like all the talented people at Theatre Cedar Rapids, I am a do-gooder.

Who knows?  Maybe one day soon, you’ll see me up on that beautifully restored stage. 

How now, brown cow?

Gems is Truly Outrageous April 20, 2012

There was so much crafting packed into the one hour Gems of Hope workshop that it was — as Jem and the Holograms suggested in the 1980′s — truly, truly, truly outrageous.

It was volunteer appreciation day and the spacious conference room at Benchmark was packed with novice and expert earring-making, bookmark-making and card-making volunteers of all ages.  I had big dreams of tackling all three of the beautiful projects but, alas, my crafting eyes were faster than my crafting hands. Oh well, there are always another two workshops next month.

To the left is a picture of my favorite of five cards that I made on Tuesday evening. Gems of Hope will attach a pair of earrings or a beaded bookmark to each and give them away to patients with cancer in the Linn County area.

The workshop facilitators provided all the supplies, handled all the set up and packed everything away with military precision at the end of the evening.  Matching sets of card stock were clipped together and laid out for the choosing.  It was awesome!

I sat next to a chipper 16 year old named Britney who was very excited about her junior prom.  Britney started coming to workshops with her grandma “when she was a kid” and was hooked.  On Tuesday, Britney had brought a couple of friends along. Her grandma and mom were there too, quietly crafting as the teenagers talked dresses and dinner plans.

Since the supplies were so well organized and the process so self-explanatory, I thought this might be a good family outing for families with pre-teen kids, too.

I definitely have more Gems of Hope workshops in my future.  Click here to view the workshop schedule to find a date and location that will work for you.

And just in time for RAGBRAI training season, join me for the Gems of Hope Bike ride on May 15.  There is a 5 mile and a 20 mile option, both on bike paths.  Click here to learn more and register.

She’s Crafty (and she’s just my type) April 12, 2012

I will be doing good with Gems of Hope this month.

My Role:  Making jewelry and cards that will eventually put smiles on the faces

When:  Tuesday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join me!

Where: Benchmark Inc. – 6065 Huntington Ct. NE, Cedar Rapids

Benefiting: Cancer patients in Linn County

Why I Chose Gems of Hope

I heard about Gems of Hope last year and thought that one of their workshops would be a fun, relaxing way for me to get my craft on for a good cause.  To be completely honest, I was running behind this month on deciding what my April project would be.  I am glad that I remembered this little gem.  Since they host  beading and card making workshops on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, signing up on short notice was a breeze.

This workshop is also another outlet for me to reflect on the life of my amazing gem of a mother, Shirlee Smith.  My mom died on January 24th of this year of complications from stage four lung cancer.  She was so creative and always interested in my crafty endeavors.  She was a big fan of the Do-Good Dozen project as a whole, but as a healer, she would have been especially pleased to learn about Gems of Hope.  She shined in everything she did, warming up everyone around her.  I miss her dearly but I know that the world’s greatest mom and my best friend will be watching with a smile next week.

Me and Mom in Barcelona this past August. She made this the trip of a lifetime.

How I will be helping (& how you can too)

Gems of Hope Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers gifts of jewelry mounted on inspirational cards to cancer patients.  On the first and third Tuesday of each month community members like me and you,  patients and their family and friends are invited to attend workshops to create these works of art for others. Click here for workshop schedule and locations.

How I got involved (& how you can too)

The Gems of Hope website – www.gemsofhope.com -  lists their upcoming events right on their home page.  I sent a blind message through the Contact Us tab and the very next day I received a friendly, welcoming email from  Gems of Hope Card Facilitator Carol Lagneaux.  I explained a little bit about the Do-Good Dozen and later in the day heard from Gems of Hope Co-Founder Beth Hammell who sweetly gushed, “The entire medical community as well as the area CR community have embraced Gems of Hope from the start and it is very humbling.   We give out an average of 325 ‘gifts of hope’ each month (inspirational cards with either a serenity circle, bookmark or earrings attached) to our patients going through treatment. We are always in need of volunteers who give of their time and talent.”

Come join me on Tuesday or get another workshop on your calendar.

While on their site, check out the Gems of Hope video to learn more about the ripples of impact from these seemingly small acts of hope.