Speech at State Capitol

The following words were spoken by Rev. Ken Gibson at the Iowa State Capitol before the 50 Days of Service Relay Run started:

Over the last 48 days much has happened to capture the attention of all of us. Headlines a plenty of truly almost unbelievable events – Headlines we would like to forget.

However, over these last nearly 50 days – you, who have been part of the 50 days of service effort, have not garnered many headlines. In fact much of what you have done will not ever be recorded in print (with the possible exceptions of some local media) sadly much of what you have done was not recorded by the media in any fashion.

Bus so much of what you have done and what you represent has been recorded by the ones you have touched in service to those in need. Your acts of love and kindness in care for “the other” are perhaps, I might suggest, are in process of being recorded in the hearts and lives of those you have touched. Your selfless acts may in fact lead to the development of great achievements yet unknown by others for others. Your acts have begun to create a circle of service and the truth is the circle of service most often goes unbroken.

So on this day I salute you on behalf of all Iowans who take time to volunteer and serve “the other”. We in Iowa are grateful for your efforts over these last 50 days which have reminded us that we, as Iowans, possess an inherited sense of service to others, that comes from the very core of our being, which guides so much of what we do and defines who we are!

Indeed perhaps 50 days of service to others does not make headlines, these acts are not recorded by anyone other than the Almighty and ultimately that recording is greater than all the rest.

Therefore – thank you for being the example we all need these days. May you continue to be recorded in the lives you dared to touch!

Run on- learn, live and serve – and thank you and God bless you all.

3K3

A sincere THANKS to everyone who participated in or supported the 3K3 event held last Thursday. We had 123 people who signed up to participate, nineteen local business who gave sponsorship money and several people who made generous donations. It appears we will actually surpass our $2,000 mark that we reported earlier. The 3 Kristi's of Waldorf - Kristi Carlson, Kristi Leonard and myself - were overwhelmed by the success of this event.

We are proud. Proud of ourselves for pulling off a successful event but more importantly, proud to be working for a place that has made a commitment of service to others. 50 Days of Service has changed many of us. It has made us reflect on what we have, who we are and what we can do.

Thank you Josh Damm for creating the opportunity. Thank you Waldorf College for providing the opportunity.

Kristi Osheim

The Long Run

I'm tired! After running almost 6 miles last night in the 3K3 event, my body is slightly exhausted today. I would guess that some of the other 123 participants of the 3K3 are also tired today but it was well worth the effort for all of us. The 3K3 event raised almost $2,000 for the American Cancer Society. For me, it was one of the highlights of the 50 Days of Service.

Next week the 50 Days of Service ends with our relay run from Des Moines to Forest City on the 19th and 20th of April. It's going to be a fun way to finish out the 50 Days. We are still trying to raise money for our 50 Days charities and I hope that we'll get a lot of our fundraising done after the 50 Days are over. Who knows if we'll ever get up to the $50,000 we have been aiming for? But even if we don't, every penny we get will have been worth our time - we've done our best.

And, in the long run, service is not about money or numbers or awards. It's about getting off the couch and doing something for someone else.