joining the races to vote

When the request came via email for veterans to help staff polling locations, I complied.

I have not yet received information for the training needed to do so, but Vet The Vote has received my message and responded.

 

Faustina,

I’m here at Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400 to launch Vet the Vote’s official partnership with NASCAR!

In just two short years, Vet the Vote has rallied over 140,000 veterans and military families to serve their communities as poll workers. Our partnership with NASCAR is more than just a collaboration—it’s a powerful opportunity to drive home the importance of civic engagement and the pivotal role our veterans and military families play in powering up our elections.

Vet the Vote is here, connecting with fans and sharing our story. We’ll be talking with Michigan Secretary of State and fellow military spouse, Jocelyn Benson. Our goal is to recruit more veterans and military families to join us as poll workers - ensuring fair, safe, and accurate elections. With NASCAR’s support, we’re reaching new audiences and driving home the message that service to our country can take many forms—even at the polls.

I wanted to personally reach out and share this moment with you because your support has been instrumental in getting us here. If you’re attending the race, I’d love to meet up and share more about what this partnership means for Vet the Vote and, if you’re a NASCAR fan watching from home, our two organizations thank you again for your service.

Thanks for answering the call to serve America again. Together, we’re making a difference, one race and one vote at a time.

Onward,

Ellen Gustafson
Co-Founder, Vet the Vote

responsible wildlife watcher

This Wildlife Viewing Pledge is straight from the website, y'all.

I want to emphasize how easy it can be to help take care of this Earth.

Go to the page for the National Marine Sanctuaries and sign up today!

Thank you!

 

*&*&*&*&*

 

As a responsible wildlife watcher, I pledge to...

Hang back and enjoy the view.

Keep my hands to myself.

Report wildlife that seems sick or abandoned.

Keep my pets home or on a leash.

Lend a hand with trash removal.

Keep my snacks to myself.

Lead by example.

tithing back to the festival

Why am I donating back and how did I come up with the amount I gave?

Maybe first things first, n'est-ce pas?

This is the 15th day of the Savannah Music Festival, which is in its 35th year.

There's a fundraiser that's been going since the first day this time around.

It's called "$17,000 in 17 Days", giving it a kinda sorta Jules Verne flair.

(smile!)

So, how does that fundraiser operate?

One of the donors is matching all donated funds during the course of the festival - i.e. during the 17 days of scheduled concerts - and that money will go toward various programs for students and music education.

I decided a few days ago to donate, but only had a QR code to use.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, nope!

My phone doesn't speak squiggly lines in a square.

I had even gone to the website, to no avail... until today!

Hooray!

(smile!)

Somehow, though the $35 I'd intended to donate to the cause didn't feel right.

Then I realized something: today I volunteered at my tenth concert of this SMF.

Tenth, did I say?

That's a nice, familiar fraction for me.

So, I added up the money it would have cost for me to have attended the eleven shows for which I am volunteering.

In other words, that's what I was essentially "paid" as a volunteer.

Then I tithed back ten percent: $41.20.

(smile!)

That felt wonderful!

Here's the link, for those inspired to give music to others!

gift of time and talent

As a member of Asbury Memorial Church for some years now, I have pledged to give to that congregation my presence, my gifts, my talents, and my service.

Once upon a time I gave my service - meaning my time - to the Hospitality Team for over a year, helping to take care of food service before and during any meals or "big" coffee hours, as well as dish clean-up and trash removal afterward.

Another time, I gave my service - meaning my time - to the Flower Ministry for about a year, helping to transform the huge displays at the front of the church on Sunday mornings into smaller bouquets to brighten the homes of those ill or celebrating a big birthday.

This year, I gave my service and my talents to the Vacation Bible School, a week of evenings spent with children in grades pre-K through 6th, to better inform them about Bible stories.

I was given three evenings to enact those tales, along with others who were volunteering their service and talents.

I had so much fun, I'm going to do this again!

i thank You, God, for the opportunity to let my light shine.

(smile!)