Wolfgang Puck!

MY NIGHT WITH FAMILY & WOLFGANG PUCK!  
I had the opportunity to attend this year's 22nd Annual Chef's Best, which benefits Second Harvest Food Bank's Community Food Rescue Program!  oh MY was it a treat!  This event brings together many in the Charlotte community for a lovely reception and then an elegant dinner in an effort to end hunger!  


Wolfgang Puck was the featured guest this year along with other local chef's (Gene Briggs, Blue Restaurant; Tom Condron, Liberty Gastropub; and Jim Noble, The Kings Kitchen).  Each chef was responsible for one course of the meal and we all observed each course be prepared right in front of us!  It was like being at a live cooking show!  


Wolfgang Puck & Campbell's Soup donated 36,000 pounds of soup to Second Harvest, which will be used for the backpack programs for children and senior boxes for elderly folks in the community!  The backpack program was started to provide nutritious and child friendly food to children in need for after school meals/snacks.  The backpacks are filled at the Second Harvest warehouse by volunteers and then distributed discreetly (once again, by volunteers) to students before weekends and holidays.  


My friend Betsy has the rewarding and challenging job of teaching kindergarden children at a low income school here in Charlotte.  She was explaining to me that some of these children do not get excited about Spring Break, Christmas Break, or summertime because that means that they are forced to spend more time in horrible conditions and not sure when they will enjoy their next meal.  


If you are anything like me... I warn those around me to steer clear of me when I am hungry!  I am grouchy and miserable and will do all in my power to make you miserable too!  My attention and focus is FOOD until I get my hands on something!  How can these children really put school first if they are in survival mode and having to always worry about their next meal and feeling there is no end to their hunger?  This backpack program gives these children hope that they will have a meal over the weekend when they leave the schoolhouse!!

  (My family at the 22nd Annual Chef's Best, March 2011

The Kings Kitchen Banana Pudding!

100% of the profits from this restaurant are donated to help feed the poor in Charlotte, the region, and the world!  I have not yet had the pleasure of dining there, but it is definitely on the list.  

I am open to recommendations!  If you have ever dined there, what is your favorite thing on the menu?  

 This photo does not do this dish justice!  The main dish of the evening, Wolfgang's Chinois Lamb Chops with Cilantro Mint Vinaigrette!  I have the recipes for both of these dishes for anyone whom would like to give it a try!

Sh@re My Daddy Says | My Daddy's Thoughts On Giving

The 10 Foot Rule.

My father always preached that if we made it our responsibility to help, encourage, and take care of those within our 'ten foot' radius (in other words, those individuals in our own community), the world would be a much better place! I had the opportunity to travel to Africa in 2009 and meet some amazing individuals. These special people

taught me more than they will ever know!

To American standards we would say that most of these individuals had 'nothing' however they were some of the happiest people I have ever met! I would have loved to continue traveling all over the world and giving my time to those in 'need', but that is not realistic for me. Instead I decided to reflect on the Rule my father always put into practice and take responsibility for those in need in my own community!

It is easy to put on blinders and neglect this responsibility. We often assume that the only children without a pillow to lie their head on at night or the only senior citizens going to bed hungry are found in third world countries. WRONG! If you are under this impression, be observant, you won't have to look much further than your own backyard to conclude that there are plenty in need all around us.

I am just suggesting one hour a month! Think of the change we could make if we all took one hour out of busy schedules to put the Ten Foot Rule into action and make a difference in the life of one individual! If one hour a month ever seems like too much, do what my friend Linda at Second Harvest Food Bank recommends... drive down Graham St. at 5 a.m. in the morning and tell the little 3 year old girl sleeping at the bus stop with her mommy that you are too busy to make it your responsibility that she have a meal that day! It is easy to judge and blame those in needy situations for their 'misfortune', but think about the many times someone helped you without asking any questions. Get creative! Make it a family affair or get a group of friends together and take an hour to give back before dinner!

This past week I had the opportunity to meet and talk with other volunteers at Second Harvest. I quickly learned that I was one of only two Charlotte natives! There were volunteers from all over the world, not just the states there with smiles, ready to give their time! Charlotte has always been home to me so I have a special connection and desire to embrace this community. It is mine. I was elated to witness all the individuals who have made this community their own and made it their responsibility to apply the Ten Foot Rule.

Get involved in your own community! If you have just moved somewhere new, what a great way to meet new people! Start off making one hour a month your goal and I promise you will make a point to find more free time to make it your responsibility to make a difference! If you live in the Charlotte area, start by checking out www.handsoncharlotte.org!

'BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD!'

Share Your Time!

Making a career change in March of last year has allowed me more time to get my hands dirty, step out of my comfort zone, and get involved in the Charlotte community! I love volunteering my time and meeting new people who enjoy doing the same! I hope sharing my volunteer experiences will inspire others to get involved within their community. If I can reach one person to use their talents and time to positively enhance the life of others, I consider my efforts successful.

Starting a blog has been a goal of mine for sometime now and I am happy to put it into action! I appreciate my friends at 'The Relatives' for holding me accountable to following through with my words to start a blog. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many young adults whom are staying at The Relatives, a shelter for individuals age 7-17. They have taught me many things and I would like to think that I have passed along guidance that has resonated with them. I look forward to sharing these lessons I have learned!

how to get started?

Well, I love google so I just googled 'volunteer opportunities in charlotte' and the response... OVERWHELMING! Hands on Charlotte being close to the top! I joined Hands on Charlotte in December 2009 and have nothing but great things to say about this organization. My only negative comment... There just are not enough people getting involved! North Carolina is 38th in the nation when it comes to volunteer hours, so lots of room for improvement.

Hands on Charlotte is the middle man for citizens looking to volunteer their time and talents and the many agencies who run on the time shared by those in the community! HOC makes it easy, sign up, show up, and embrace the opportunity to help others! Not to mention, the feeling that is felt once you feel you have made a difference!

Are you good with seniors? There are tons of opportunities to visit assisted living communities for bingo! Or help an elder learn to read with CPCC's GED program! Maybe Kids are your thing? Thomasboro Elementary needs tutors! The KIPP school (the one discussed in the movie 'Waiting For Superman') needs your help tutoring students on Wednesday evenings!!! Help distribute backpacks of food for children to take home to ensure they have meals over the weekend! Or if you are like me and have a passion for animals... There are many opportunities to brighten the day of another with a Pet Therapy project? Or work with Animal Control to find loving homes for those animals currently in the shelter or in foster care! Hunger? Women? Homelessness? Environmental issues? Whatever interests you, I am sure you can find a way to get involved! Or create a new project yourself to help your favorite agency around town find volunteers! Options are endless.

Thus far I have shared my time with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, The Relatives, Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control, and Friendship Trays. Each of which has been rewarding in its own way and each allow me to share my time helping all types of people in the community! Not to mention all of the things I have learned!!

I hope to raise awareness of the needs in the community! We can assume that others will step up and take care of what needs to be done, but the reality is... The community is always in need! So take pride in your community and make a point to share your time. For those who live in Charlotte, check out handsoncharlotte.org, complete the orientation and SHARE YOUR TIME, life is worth sharing! If you live elsewhere, check for a hands on organization near you!