Imagine!

At Imagine! Pring Solutions I was able to talk to employees, most who have children, about the dangers of internet predators. I handed out brochures from Netsmartz http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx and the importance of being educated about where their children are going online. Anyone can download information from their website and teach others how to be safe. Spread the word and we will have a safer world for our children! (adults too!)

Online Safety Panel with Amy Klobuchar

Being MEA and Claire having home from school, I took the opportunity to have her come along to a panel discussion featuring Senator Amy Klobuchar on "online aggression." Topics of discussion were online bullying, stalking, online harassment, and preditory behavior.

Serving on the panel were Kristin Chamberlain, Associate Proffessior of Communication Studies at Augsburg College, Lynn Midland, of Northfield, a mother of a child who was a victim of cyberbulling, Nicole Jackson Colaco, public policy manager at Facebook, Brian Hill, computer forensics investigator with the Anoka County Sherrif's Office.

I found this to be a very informative forum. Did you know that Amy Klobuchar urged Facebook to create a "panic button" application on their website to help protect children from cyber--harassment and allow them to report any instances of cyber abuse?

Klobuchar is also Senate author of the "STALKERS Act," bipartisan legislation to strengthen and update federal anti-stalking laws to protect victims and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to address the new challenges of cyberstalking.
Pretty Cool to have someone like that working in the MN Senate!!

American Heart Association Gala

On October 16th, 2010 I helped volunteers like Becky Ringen set up the Minneapolis convention center for that evening's fundraiser! It was a lot of work getting everything from the chairs covered to the silient auction looking beautiful. I wasn't able to stay for the actual dinner that night due to it being my daughter's birthday. I hope they raised a lot of money because heart disease is the #1 one killer of women. Know your numbers and sign up for the Go Red For Women movement at http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Get your free red dress pin and learn more about how to live heart healthy! I myself had heart surgery on Halloween in 2000. Take care of yourselves!!

Setting up the convention Center

Look at how pretty it is so far!

A Great Cause

On Friday, October 15th I volunteered at the 6th annual benefit gala held at the Sofitel Hotel in Edina which helps disadvantaged people gain lifestyle skills. I sold light up necklaces which then allowed you to play "heads or tails" game for the chance to win a cash prize and also was a live auction spotter after the dinner was served. I have volunteered for this event for four years and am grateful that such an organization exists. Other ladies from the pageant system were there to volutunteer along with me. I hadn't met them before so it was a fun night in many ways!