May mocha McDonald’s money

During the month of May, Treasure Valley area McDonald’s restaurants served thousands of samples of their new mocha drink — and raised $1,800 in the process for the Idaho Ronald McDonald House. United Dairymen of Idaho co-hosted the event, in which customers who gave 25 cents or more, got a mocha.

Have an able body? Ironman Triathlon needs volunteers

The local branch of Rotaract (a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30), is hosting a “Run Aid Station” for the Boise Ironman Triathlon on June 13, and needs 80, yes, 80 volunteers of all ages, to pass out water to athletes and more.

Numerous shifts are available during the day and evening.

The really cool part? The race is donating money to Rotaract for its efforts. The money will go to the group’s clean water project in Peru.

Renaissance Faire supports Filipino adoptions

Seven children currently living in orphanages in the Philippines will soon call Idaho home.

To help finance the cost of some of the adoptions, Two groups, A Summer of Hope, and The Sacred Portion Children’s Outreach, have come together to host the Faire, a family-friendly, community event.  

Ye Olde Renaissance Faire will be held at Settlers Park at Meridian and Ustick Roads in Meridian on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free.

Do you know an outstanding Idaho woman veteran?

The Idaho Division of Veterans Services is seeking nominations for its 2009 Outstanding Idaho Woman Veteran award, which will be presented at the Idaho State Women Veterans conference on August 29 in Boise.

The award recognizes a female veteran’s contributions to the community and volunteer work on behalf of veterans or other organizations. It also takes into account any adversities she has had to overcome, her outreach to other women veterans and other noteworthy activities.

“Is it slightly crazy for a non-profit to be starting up a golf tournament in the midst of these economic times...?”

That is the question board members at Catholic Charities of Idaho have been asking themselves. They’re boldly going forward with their first charitable tournament, the Cadillac Invitational, June 8 at SpurWing in Meridian.

Fund for Idaho awards grants to local organizations

Twelve Idaho nonprofit organizations doing grassroots work in human rights, environmental education, and youth empowerment got the nod. Twenty organizations competed for the total grant amount of $30,000.

I got an email recently from Boisean Michelle Wilson. She read the story I wrote in Sunday’s paper about job seekers turning to volunteer work to build their resumes, increase their contacts, and keep their self-esteem in good shape.

The Sunday story resonated with her, she said, because she also embraced volunteering after getting laid off from a job she’d had for 14 years. She recently found a new job, but spoke candidly about her job search on the online show, “Career Talk with Pat.” The host interviewed her in February, and again in May.

Celebrate new home dedications with your community

Come celebrate the completion of two new Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity homes and meet the new homeowners, the Noseworthy and Mohammed families, 1 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 3894 and 3896 N. Patricia Lane (Off Maple Grove, between Ustick and McMillan, turn west on Edna to Patricia Lane). Refreshments will be served.

Who was Bob LeBow?

A reader of this blog, known only as “foreignoregonian” in the anonymous blog-posting manner, asked a question worth answering: Who was Bob LeBow?

The Bob LeBow bike tour, a benefit for the Terry Reilly Health Services, happens June 13. This year, there’s room for 1,500 riders to participate — expanded because it’s so popular.

I looked back through the Statesman’s archives, and found a story written by reporter Chad Dryden about LeBow and the tour.

Bob LeBow Bike Tour expands this year’s event

The Treasure Valley’s biggest charity bike tour is getting bigger. Organizers of the Bob LeBow Bike Tour are opening up 400 additional registration slots after last year’s record-shattering 1100 participants.