Way to Help #1

OK -- this one is easy. I promise.

Just get out your scheduler, day planner, blackberry, Quo Vadis, or whatever else you use to organize your life.

Turn to September 7th.

Write down:

FRIENDS OF IOWA MIDWIVES LABOR DAY PICNIC

Coneflower C Shelter at Raccoon River Park

West Des Moines, Iowa

4 - 8 pm

Then, start thinking about the yummy food you want to bring. About all the friends you'll see and meet at this statewide picnic in support of out-of-hospital birth, and about the great music and cool entertainment you'll see. I mean, really, have you ever seen a live Capoeira demonstration?

Start thinking about where you might want to camp if you're coming from out of town (Jester Park and Yellow Banks are both about a half an hour away from Raccoon River - both are great options for families traveling to Des Moines). Or, if you're from Des Moines and have a big back yard (like mine, pictured below!), maybe think about whether you're willing to host a family driving to be here.

Oh, and start saving a bit of money for the $5.00 per family donation and the awesome silent auction. We've got products from Praireland Herbs, professional photography sittings, a gift certificate to the Des Moines Social Club, and lots of slings, baby wraps, and nursing friendly products. Oh, and gift certificates to salons and yoga classes!

BONUS THING TO DO:

Do you have a talent you could share through the silent auction? Maybe you'd like to donate a craft, a skill, hard labor? Maybe you have a favorite store or farm or restaurant that you go to, and you'd like to ask the manager to donate to our auction? Or maybe you've just read the best book in the world, and want to buy a copy to put on auction in support of FOIM? We seek a diverse range of donations to interest our diverse range of families!

SECOND BONUS THING TO DO:

Wanna help flyer, paint the town red, and let everyone in Iowa know that we're having a picnic?Contact us and we'll hook you up!

Until next week -- be well,

Renee