This past Friday night I had the opportunity prepare a meal for a local shelter with a few of my friends from school. This wasn't the first time our grade level {kids and all} collected food and money for the residents of Safe Harbor of Easton, a transitional/emergency center for single men and women who are homeless. Safe Harbor also has a drop-in service that helps low-income people regain the confidence needed to maintain the tasks of normal, daily life.
Last year was the first time that our team collected food and prepared a meal for Safe Harbor. You can check out that post here.
First, our students and their families were asked to send in the food we needed for the meal. On the menu that night was fettuccine alfredo with chicken and broccoli, as well as garlic bread and salad. We also collected cans of coffee, sugar and gift cards to the local grocery store. The shelter keeps a constant flow of coffee on for people all day long, especially in the colder months so they are always in need of these items. We were also told that grocery store gift cards are given to people who venture out on their own as a way for them to stock the refrigeratorin their new place.
As a whole...here are a few stats taken from our collection:
45 jars of alfredo sauce
34 boxes of pasta
21 pounds of coffee
30 pounds of sugar
$165 in Giant gift cards
$142 in cash/coins
My team was ready to go...
Once we got there, it was straight to work and the residents began to filter in as we cooked. Some inquired about what was for dinner and most were pleasantly surprised with pasta and white sauce. We learned that most meals for them are pasta with red sauce in a variety of forms...spaghetti with meatballs, baked ziti, etc.
There was one significant change from last year....the use of hair nets! We got a kick out of how ridiculous we lookedwearing them, but it was all in good fun.
The final product...fettuccine alfredo with broccoli and chickenserved on trays that reminded me of my elementary school days.
In addition to the meal, we purchased two cakes from the bakery, one chocolate and one vanilla. Note that the one had an incorrect spelling of "Safe Harbor" on the top. Although not our fault, this spelling error was quickly pointed out to us by some residents who joked that it sounded like we were from Boston.
Overall, I'd say it was a successful night. The residents couldn't have been more thankful for our meal and contributions and I couldn't have left feeling better about how we helped our community. We've decided that this excursion will be a yearly event for the fourth grade team and I am already looking forward to next year.
Today is the last day of school before the holiday and as I said in last week's post, there are many reasons why I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.
School has been more laid back than normal due to half days during conference week, so yesterday I planned to "finally" attend gym class with my students for a little run outside. They've been asking for a while so I surprised them. Even though we only ran a mile, everyone had a great time and the kids were totally amazed that I could actually run that far!
Last evening my husband and I went to one of our favorite restaurants for a date night. These nights are far and few between so we took advantage of the empty house and headed downtown for a relaxing meal. Because it was a special night out, I wore my new winter white sequined mini and the heels that I recently picked up on a killer sale.
At the end of the night, our bellies were full of delicious food and we had a nice time. As for running, I am planning on attempting an 8 mile aggressive cutdown after school today. My goal is for the second four miles to be faster than the first. On Thursday morning I probably will run around 5 miles before sitting down to an old fashioned, Pennsylvania Dutch Thanksgiving feast cooked by my sister-in-law. I can't wait!! Enjoy your day!
If you read yesterday's post...it was the first day of school for me and my family. As a tradition, we always go out for ice cream the night before the first day. Death by Chocolate for me, please!
In addition to the ice cream outing, we always take pictures before everyone leaves for the day. Unfortunately
this year, the weather was very uncooperative and it started to POUR
when it was time for the photo shoot, and it continued to pour until I was
well into my morning at work. The rain didn't make it a great way to start, but in
the end, everyone enjoyed their days.
Even Willsey gets in on the action...
My team always knows that they need to cooperate for the obligatory group photo on special days...
It was a good start to a {hopefully} great year! Last night I did a nice six mile run on my usual out and back course. It was quite steamy, and after about a mile or so, my Achilles warmed up and I was good to go. I ran the first three in 22:52, and came back in 20:16 -- for a total time of 43:16.
Again, my darn watch didn't register the final mile time when I pressed stop. I know my 5th mile was 6:58 and I'm pretty sure I was running around 6:30 for the last one.
After my run, I jumped in the pool to cool off. Willsey watched me diligently, as well as his floating yellow duck. He gets ticked off when his toys fall into the pool.
Crazy dog!
After school, I plan to run an easy five, and then I want to hit Carrie's level two yoga class. I haven't been to yoga in about two weeks, so my body is craving a little downward facing dog. Enjoy your day!
Happy Friday! It's been a whirlwind week with having to head back to school on Tuesday for teacher in-services. Now that I'm a working girl again, it was hard to fit in decent miles, as well as my weekly yoga class...but hopefully I will get myself in the groove once my normal work schedule begins on Monday.
Last night, we had our Back to School night at work. I had a chance to meet most of my students and their families and I always like to put a name to a face before the first day. This year, I have a new team member on my grade level and like we sometimes do...we posed for a group photo. Here we are...my family away from home. They're the best and I love working with them!
Tonight
I will be running a two mile Moravian College alumni cross-country
race. I'm looking to use it as a race/tempo run, basically to see
where I am. I will be sure to let you know how it goes. Here's to another great year! Enjoy your day!
