Dec monthly meeting and 6 month review

Half way there! Its been a 6 month journey for all of us at LIFT. We met at Google this month, thanks to Larry. He was the gracious host, walking umpteen times in the rain, to receive each one of us at his plush office. After the warm welcome, we unanimously agreed that the "Googlers" were really spoilt people. Their office amenities include mobile hair-cutting salons, heated bathroom seats and bidets!

We toasted to our little success at Books Inc, the LEARN event at the local public middle school and the fund-raiser/social at Chevy's. We seem to have nailed quite a few things down. Our charts are beginning to look good!

We are now planning our Valentine's Day event, the TeamWorks event and a Book Club event. Montez has worked on some fund-raisers and suggested programs like silent auctions, free tickets etc. We have also decided to adopt a big project in January 2008 South/East Bay to bring all the extended LIFT family together. Lake Elizabeth in Fremont seems like an attractive place to meet, volunteer and barbecue. After all, this is sunny California and we cannot stop boasting of our winter weather.

We also completed our 6 month review. It was a totally productive meeting.

Dec 5th, LEARN event at a local public middle school

A thick fog filled the early morning in West San Jose. The Multi-purpose room at Easterbrook Discovery School was packed with middle schoolers. They were ushered in for a day of Community Service. On the agenda was a morning filled with lectures, workshops and research.

The 160 students first heard from four people in their community. Our LIFT team organized speakers to talk about volunteering, impact in the community and about the rewards of volunteering. HOBA veteran volunteer Maeve and South Bay Program Manager Ambrosia attended the event as well. The other two speakers were from Sacred Heart of San Jose and Optimist Club of Campbell.

After the morning talk, the students all got split into different workshops. They researched about ways to volunteer in the community through HOBA, made fleece scarves for donation and watched films of teenagers who have made a big impact by their volunteer activities.

It was a short but very eventful morning.

Chevy's social

A fund-raiser cum social at Chevy's in Mountain View. It went fairly well and although I couldnt make it in time, Holly, Larry, Karen and Vanessa did. Thanks to all our friends who supported us by coming to Chevy's to help us fund-raise for HOBA.

Books Inc fund-raiser

What can be more compelling than snacks inside a bookstore? A good book, a cozy chair, a glass of wine in one hand and some tempting chips/salsa close by. Thats my idyllic vision of heaven!

On Sunday Dec 2, our LIFT team met at Books Inc for a small fund-raiser. Eric, the manager of Books Inc kindly agreed to donate a percentage of proceeds between 6-9pm towards HOBA. We had a small table where we set up wine, cookies, chips and salsa. Karen's choice of salsas were terrific. We tried to set up a salsa tasting contest! As the patrons browsed in the store, we offered our snacks and wine.

I loved chatting with my team. We talked about the HOBA book club that meets the fourth Monday of every month at Books Inc.

I bought a book that I have read a while ago and loved. It is by John Wood, the founder of Room to Read, and the title is "Leaving Microsoft to Change the world".

The efforts of our evening paid off well and was worth the time.