Where does the time go?

It's hard to believe nearly a month has gone by since we last "blogged". The Leaders for Tomorrow students were intended to use this to post comments but, apparently they are WAY too busy to find the time to keep you posted. So, alas... it's on me! The Leaders for Tomorrow's Community Introduction class spent a wet day learning about the agricultural industry in the Hood River Valley. We spent time with the folks at the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Research and Education Center learning about trees and the fruit they bear. We talked about mold, disease and pests and got to check out some fairly cool insects that are used to control all kinds of "bad guys" in the orchards.

We also got to bond with alpacas - moms and cria (the babies). Good Fortune Farms Alpacas hosted us for feeding time. We learned a lot about alpaca fleece/wool/fiber... it's incredibly soft, warm and resilient. It's used for all kinds of clothing AND it's a renewable resource... one thing alpacas have is lots of fleece!

We went on a mini-hayride because it was rainy and kinda cold! Kiyokawa Orchards hooked us up with apples and pears for an awesome healthy snack and talked with us about why he (Randy Kiyokawa) decided to open his fruit stand rather than marketing through one of the major packinghouses. He has the largest variety of Asian pears in the valley and more than 80 different kinds of pears and apples!

After a quick trip through Pumpkin Funland and the famous Rasmussen Farms Corn Maze, we headed to the Apple Valley Country Store for some DELICIOUS,hot and fresh pear dumplings! It was a special treat and much appreciated after a chilly day out! Stay tuned for photos and (hopefully) some comments from the kids!

Back to School... more fun than we thought!

Leaders for Tomorrow's first year class started the school year with Motivation and Introduction day... We went to Embarq and played Cultural Bingo to get more familiar with each other. Most of the kids know each other but, the point of the activity is get them to find out about the people they don't know! Everyone seemed to enjoy it until I asked Ashley to sing the songs she knows in 2 different languages... she was unwilling to share!
The Portland Spirit hosted us on the sternwheeler Columbia Gorge... we got box lunches from Charburger in Cascade Locks, courtesy of the Best Western Columbia River Inn. After lunch, while on board the sternwheeler, the class was divided into small groups where we discussed the attributes of a good leader. Each goup then created a "Leadership Crest" illustrating the characteristics needed to succeed in a leadership role. I am looking forward to hearing from the students on this so, please stay tuned and watch the Comments section - where the students will post their "journal entries"...

Volunteer Opportunities Abound

Leaders for Tomorrow were among a number of groups asked to help out with this year's Hood River Fly-In and the grand opening of the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. Hood River's Lions Eye-Openers served breakfast from 7 to 11AM on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 8 & 9) and LFT student were right there to help out! It wasn't a fundraiser but it was definitely fun. Thanks to Hannah, Bailie, Ellen and Jenna for participating!

Since everybody needs community service hours, now's the time to volunteer... before school starts to get in the way! In any case, the Hood River County Historical Museum is looking for some young individuals to help out with their upcoming Vintage Car Show and Mosier Twin Tunnels Motor Tour, Saturday, September 22. The volunteers will be assisting some of the older folks at registration and in and out of vehicles. Contact me if you're interested!

That was refreshing...

Just before dawn on Monday the Leaders for Tomorrow second year class was gearing up for yet another fabulous fundraiser. Mary Beth, Ellen, Elise and Jennifer were offering hot coffee to the swimmers and their supporters at this year's Columbia River Cross Channel Swim. They were working for tips... and they were all smiles (at 5:30AM) so the $50 in tips was well earned! 

The next crew showed up at 7:15AM to help take down tables and lights, clean-up garbage cans and load all the various mechanisms necessary for "The Swim" to be returned to the Expo Center. Jessica, Bailie and Rachael did a great job assisting with the clean-up and it was much appreciated since most of the staff and volunteers had been "on the job" since 4AM. That raised an additional $100 to go toward the class' project... we don't know what it is yet but, I'm betting it'll be a good one! Peace!

LFT 2 "cashing in" at the Cross Channel Swim

Leaders for Tomorrow's Service Learning class is gearing up for another fundraiser. On Monday, September 3rd, we will be serving coffee to more than 500 swimmers at the Roy Webster Columbia River Cross Channel Swim event.  Any tips we get will be matched by the Chamber of Commerce!

Another group of students will help with cleaning up the site AFTER the swimmers are on the Sternwheeler...The change of location has made everything a little more challenging this year so the extra help is greatly needed and appreciated!
The biggest variable to the overall success of the event -- THE WEATHER!

Here's to a safe swim, a glassy river and a glorious sunrise! Come check it out...

What's up with that?!

Thinking BEFORE you have to!?... a novel concept, I know but, "chance favors the prepared mind" is one of the best things Louis Pasteur ever said (as far as I know...). School is just about to start and the Leaders for Tomorrow 2 class is already thinking... or should be... about fundraising, about projects and about making their mark on our/their community. There are so many opportunities to do something great for Hood River County - some are clear, visible/tangible... and some we wouldn't think of if we had a year to cogitate on it!

AND SO, members of the community, we look to you for ideas. The students will, of course, make the final decision and we have things like budgetary constraints, time constraints and our project goals to consider... but, if you have an idea for a project that could really make a difference for our community, Let us know! You can post comments here or call Kristin (541.386.2000, ext.16) with your suggestions!

One down...

There! In spite of a rather questionable forecast, (and the "Fill the Boot" campaign) the Leaders for Tomorrow 2 class raised $213 to put toward our Service Learning project! Now that we have the first fundraiser behind us, we can start planning for the Halloween event. There are a lot of options so, we really have some thinking to do!

Once school starts, the second year class will meet every 2-3 weeks to develop a list of goals for the class project. From there, we'll start brainstorming ideas for a project that will really have a positive impact in our community! Suggestions are appreciated... so feel free to post a comment if you have recommendations. Stay tuned! Peace!

We put the fun back in fundraising!

Leaders for Tomorrow Service Learning class is kicking off their fundraising efforts with a car wash this Saturday (August 18) at Rosauers on the Heights. The weather isn't supposed to be perfect but, Portland weather can be a lot different than the weather in Hood River... we shall see! We'll be there from 11:30AM - 4PM and our goal is to raise $300. The class hasn't selected its Service Learning project yet but, we know it'll take money to make it happen! They all seem to be looking forward to it! ... and away we go...