Kai Degner » Make a Difference

Who will you interview on the National Day of Listening?

kaidegner — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:01:04 +0000

Put plainly, I don’t think there’s anything more important to practice and promote than listening. Earlier this year, I worked with a number of local friends and colleagues at the Community Mediation Center to design and pilot Listening 101, a one-month course that focuses on this all-important skill and mindset, which I’ll write more about in the future.

So, I’m thrilled to learn about the National Day of Listening, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving. The project is championed by StoryCorps, which is working to record people’s stories – with willing listeners (you’ve probably heard examples on National Public Radio). The idea is simple: record an interview with someone in your life – and be listening as they share.

There is a Do It Yourself Kit on the website, and there is information in this video.

Here’s a Great Questions List to get your conversation started!

Who will you listening to?

We did it! 962 Turkeys for the Salvation Army!

kaidegner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:57:02 +0000

Thanks to Cargill’s donation of 478 turkeys today, the community has stepped up to provide the Salvation Army 962 turkeys for families applying for Thanksgiving Day assistance! The turkeys, food, and cash donated at the Sustainability Summit on Saturday were part of this progress – and not only for the obvious. If you listen to end of the news report about the donation, the broadcaster mentions a “One on One Interview” with Bob Corso, where Cargill heard about the need. That was when I mentioned the Community Mediation Center’s Sustainability Summit and the associated food drive!

So, congratulations for making a difference. Of course, there is still much need, as shown in today’s other story: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has seen their need increase 30% this year. Keep it coming!

Harrisonburg Turkey Drive on November 14

kaidegner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:18 +0000

As you may know, my day job is at the Community Mediation Center, where I coordinate a program called “Harrisonburg Summits.” The summits have been extremely successful and we’re hosting the next one Saturday at Memorial Hall from 11:30-1:00pm.

I’m doubly excited this time to be partnering with the Salvation Army to have a food drive to provide Thanksgiving Day meals to 1,000 families in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area.

Can you come by to contribute food? Can your office or business contribute a turkey? Can you find five people to donate a turkey?

Hungry Harrisonburg – 2009 Food Drive Kicks Off

kaidegner — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:01:37 +0000

Bucky Berry invited me to stop by tonight’s kickoff of the 2009 Food Drive, which his lawn service company is coordinating with the Salvation Army. We met in the Harrisonburg High School parking lot as the crowd streamed in to see the Bluestreaks take on Spotswood. I interviewed Captain Duane Burleigh about the increased need for food this holiday season. As you’ll see in the video, family applications for assistance are up significantly – almost 900 family applications represent need for 1700 children. Please donate what you can – there are multiple venues to donate food, including at area schools. Call the Salvation Army for more information at 540-434-4854.