Best Buddies... Veterans Day .... 13 Cares

Hello and Happy Monday, gang!
Can you believe this weather?!? I hope you were able to get out and enjoy it over the weekend - amazing.

Best Buddies
Part of my weekend was spent at the Best Buddies Iowa Giving Thanks Gala at HyVee Hall. If you're not familiar with the program, check out the organization's website www.bestbuddiesiowa.org. The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is yet another great way to get involved, give back, and be blessed. I met some of the neatest people at Saturday's event and it was really fun to hear how their lives have been enriched by their involvement in Best Buddies. If you'd like to get involved locally, call (515)282-6218.

Veterans Day
Don't forget to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. Veterans Day is Wednesday. This morning I helped with the annual Veterans Program at Windsor Elementary. It was a powerful reminder of what so many have done, and continue to do to protect our rights and freedoms. Many of the kids read information about the branches of the U.S. military, and the wars in which our military has engaged. They got to meet veterans who came to the program, and more importantly had the chance to say "thank you" to them. Each week I take part in Windsor's Power Lunch program and last week my reading partner Majid was really interested in talking about Veterans Day and what he'd been learning about the holiday. It made me happy that he was genuinely engaged in school, and that he's genuinely awed by the service of our veterans.

13 Cares
Thanks for the wonderful feedback on our 13 Cares series. If you've missed the stories, check them out under the "As Seen On 13" tab on our homepage and please send me ideas for future reports. This week you are going to meet some amazing immigrants who've started great businesses in Des Moines and are growing them thanks to the Immigrant Entreprenuer Summit. Tune in Wednesday at 6. Also, if you enjoyed last week's story on organ donation don't forget about the Gift of Life Art and Wine Social. It's happening this Friday at the Des Moines Social Club from 7-10pm.

That's all for now - have a wonderful week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com