Waking up to a beautiful Saturday morning with things to share.  First of all I want to thank AFSCME Council 65 for their donation towards the Minnesota Miracle.  I had the privilege of speaking with their Executive Board in Grand Rapids at the 50th Anniverary Convention and received more than support.  My family of Union strength has grown once again.
  I also had a productive week.  I met with Doug Erickson with the Secondary Education in Minnesota and he's agreed to present the project in Arrowhead next weekend at their convention.  He has no doubt that the Honor Society will take the Minnesota Miracle on as a project for all high schools to become a part of.  Thanks Doug!
  I also heard back from Tom Thornberg with the Firefighters in Minnesota and although Tom's last day was Thursday, he's promised to get back to me and introduce me to Chris the new President of the Minnesota Firefighters.
And Dave Titus with the Police Union has also told me that he'll present the Minnestoa Miracle to his Board of Directors to ask that all Policemen and women in Minnesota have the ability to support the effort of making Minnesota hunger free in 2014 through the Minnesota Miracle.  I'll comment more on that when I here back from Dave.
  And this morning and had the opportunity to walk 4 miles with Karin.  She's in charge of the Dayton Bluff Community Service.  They do a 4 miles walk the 1st Saturday of each month and this morning I was a part of it.  You don't get a better chance to see history in the area and the colors were just beautiful.  Thanks Karin for the great company this morning.

It just doesn't get any better!  I was out of town last week to visit my son in Albuquerque NM.  On Saturday the 19th we played our second round of golf on beautiful Paako Ridge Golf Course.  The course is lodged in the mountains and the beauty was grand.  And then it happened.  On the 16th hole we looked down from the tee at the green 228 yards behind the lake and each approached to drive the ball.  The first two went into the water and the third went beyond the green.  Now it was my turn.  A little intimidated with the length of the hole I pulled out my 5 wood and swung.  The ball took flight as everyone watched.  For the seconds it took from leaving the tee everyone's eyes where on it and then suddenly, it hit the green and dropped into the hole!!!  None of us could believe it actually happened so we hurried down to the green.  I was the first to jump out and run to the flag.  And there it was.  A "Hole in One" that I'll never forget.
  The weather was beautiful all week long and it was so great to spend the time with my son his beautiful fiance.  A time to remember and an indication that everything I'm doing is for a reason.  Now it's time to get back to work and make Minnesota Hunger Free in 2014.  Just had to share!

Now to talk about a special October.  First of all I was a guest at the NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers) Convention.  These are my brothers and sisters from around the state whom I shared the responsibility of delivering the mail for 30 years.  And they overwhelmed me with a donation of $5,000 for the Minnesota Miracle.  I had left the building and headed home when I got a call asking me to come back.  So I turned around and to my amazement, they had made a decision to donate another $5,000!
Thanks to all my family of letter carriers for their committment to make Minnesota hunger free in 2014!
  Then I had 2 meetings on Wednesday evening.  The first with the St. Paul Union Executive Board.  Though they expected many more than I spoke with, I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak.  An older gentleman named Wayne had a question?  Do you mean that my donation is going to be working to feed Minnesota after my death?  So he made out a check for $200 with the statement that he wanted to leave something that would be working after he's gone!  And then I hurried over to Minneapolis for their meeting.  Again I was received with an open heart and another donation for $1,000.  That's twice the Federation of Labor in Minneapolis have stepped up and made a donation towards the Minnesota Miracle.  Thanks to all in the Twin Cities but remember, we've got a long way to go before reaching our goal.
  Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking to the Executive Board for the western half of Minnesota.  It was the beginning of their 50th Anniversary Convention.  Council 65 made a great impression on me and I left with a confidence that they also will do everything within their power to help make the Minnesota Miracle a success!  Though I'm not walking through their neck of the woods, the endowment will be helping to feed all of those in their part of the state that need it!  And they have a pride and understanding that I'm confident will shine through:))
  Now it's time to relax for a week or so.  I'm heading down south to see my son Chris and spend a week full of golf and catching up.  Stay tuned ~~~

It's been far too long since I blogged to let everyone know how things are going. My apologies.  August was a moving month as the wife and I are now in a new home. 
  September brought many great things.  I had the opportunity to speak to the General Board for the AFL-CIO.  Rob Zeaske the CEO of Second Harvest Heartland was my quest.  The board consists of 75 members that represent all of Union Minnesota.  An opportunity to not only inform those that I hadn't reached in the past about the Minnesota Miracle but to meet them personally.  I also had the opportunity of speaking with the retirees and it was also my pleasure.  These are the men and women that have kept our Unions solid for so many years.  I'm headed to Grand Rapids but will comment on the progess in October when I return.  Some fantastic news in just a few short days!!  Stay tuned.

I realize it's been more than a week since I updated but I haven't any presentations to make until the end of the month.  So the wife and I are downsizing on our home.  But I do have things to comment on.  First of all, I want to thank the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation for their donation to the Minnesota Miracle.  They've secured more than 3,000 lbs. of food for 2014!
  I'll be speaking to my brother and sister letter carriers at the end of the month and they're anxious to support our effort.  They helped me cross the country in 2007 with the hopes and dreams of all kids and send them into space on the Atlantis shuttle.  www.letterofhope2007.com will tell that story.
And now they've vowed to walk the state with me next April and get the support and donations from the members.
  I'm going to hold off on briefing you on what's coming in September but be assured that great news will be coming towards the end of this month.  Just a hint.  I'm presenting myself to all of the Union representatives from across the state and even the Governor has been invited.  Stay tuned ~~~

A very productive week! On Monday I had the opportunity to speak with the Postmaster of St. Paul at his request.  He's on his way to Washington D.C. to ask how the postal service would be allowed to participate in the Minnesota Miracle.  He'd very much like to become a part but has to know what limitations if any exist. 
  On Wednesday I was in Mankato speaking to the AFSCME deligates there.  I was received with more than a welcome and presented my effort to eliminate hunger in Minnesota to those present.  About 40 union representatives were present.  I feel I did the best I could to impress on them that I'm a vehicle for the AFL-CIO and all the working class in Minnesota and would be proud to carry myself with professionalism and pride as I walk the state next April.  Julie made the comment that I was an a great speaker and someone committed to the cause that we all share a concern with.  I left the meeting with the support of all I spoke with and was assured that they will give whatever they can to make this effort a success!  So that's another thousand or more that will be walking in from White Bear Lake on May 4, 2014.
  And this morning I met with Bill Moore and his associates that represent the retirees with the AFL-CIO.  I impressed on him my need for a steering committee and who better to ask than those that are responsible for the Union strength in Minnesota.  These are the individuals that have been with the Trade and Labor Unions from those times when they had to fight for the rights that many union members take for granted.  I want to thank Bill and his associates for taking the time to hear me this morning and their willingness to become involved where they can.
  Yesterday I spoke with Jo Emerson the Mayor of White Bear Lake to give her a brief of what's coming their way on May 4, 2014.  I thought it only respectful to inform her of what's coming to her city for the final day of the 300 mile walk from International Falls.  She assured me that she'd visit our web site to get a view of what's coming and get back to me thereafter.  They are a giving community and have a deep connection with my partner, Second Harvest Heartland. 
  So it was a good week!  I had the privilege of speaking to more individuals than in past weeks and in doing so, I've found more strength to move forward to bringing our dream of making Minnesota hunger free a reality!

Another Week Begins

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July holiday.  I enjoyed time with relatives at a big family reunion!  It's been 15 years since the last one.

The week ahead is a busy one.  I have three meetings set up.  On Tuesday I meet with the St. Paul Postmaster in Eagan to talk about bringing the postal workers on board.  On Wednesday I travel to Mankato to talk to the AFSCME representatives.  And on Friday I meet with the AFL-CIO retirees.  I'm still looking for steering committees and people to help organize the effort across the state.

Once again I want to thank LetterTech for the fine work they did on the lettering for my vehicle.  If you see my Pontiac G6 with Minnesota Miracle on it, honk!