Dear Friends,

Happy last month of summer! Before we know it, school will be starting. So squeeze in all the fun you can, but remember to leave some time to volunteer. We enjoy an amazing quality of life here in Northfield. There are always so many great activities and events to experience, most of which would not be possible without the support of volunteers. So if you have been helping, thank you! If you're looking for some fun and rewarding way to "plug in," check out these ideas:

• The Northfield Arts Guild is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, August 15. They have planned a great day of festivities beginning with Art in the Park in the afternoon and ending with a Summer Soiree in the evening, but they need lots of volunteers to help. Face painters, crafters who enjoy working with children, folks with strong backs and or pick-up trucks, now's your chance to share your gifts and/or talents. Check out the complete posting on the 5th Bridge website or call NAG Executive Director Ann Mosey at 507-645-8877. Plan to help for a few hours, then enjoy the festivities and feel great knowing that you helped make it happen.
• Experience a modern day barn-raising (house-raising, actually) – volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. The Rice County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is building two homes next door to one another in Dundas. Community volunteers and the grateful families who will own the homes work side by side to produce amazing tangible results. Everyone I saw on the job site looked like they were having a good time and felt good about how they were spending their time. They need both skilled and unskilled workers, and if a construction site is not your thing, they have other ways you can get involved. Visit their website or call 507-323-5167 for more information.
• Join the fun by walking/dancing/stomping with 5th Bridge in the Defeat of Jesse James Days Grand Parade on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Our friends Janice and Anthony Roberts (both dance professors at St. Olaf), are going to help us shake things up a bit. They have promised to come up with a fun "dance" that anyone can do. We will be "rehearsing" on Saturday, September 12 at 3 p.m. (location TBD) and before the parade on Sunday, September 13. All 5th Bridge walkers will receive a cool t-shirt. Please contact Candy Taylor at candy@5thbridge.org or call 507-581-3017. Children are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent.
• Mark your calendar – 5th Bridge is hosting the third annual, Feed My Starving Children mobile packing unit, right here in Northfield at the Armory on November 13, 14 and 15. Our theme for this event is: Share the Bounty and our goals are to recruit over 1,000 volunteers to pack 250,000 meals and raise $42,500 to cover the cost of the meals. Each volunteer will be asked to contribute towards the cost to the extent they are able. If you're short on cash for a donation, check out our website for fun and easy ways to raise money for the Feed My Starving Children event. Watch our website for more details about the event!

"Never doubt, that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world ... indeed, it is the only thing that every has". – Margaret Mead

Sincerely,

Candy Taylor and your friends at 5th Bridge