Happy summer from 5th Bridge!

We hope you are all having a fantastic summer full of family, friends and new adventures. Please don't forget to take a little time to make a difference by volunteering. Here are some current/upcoming volunteer opportunities:

Highway Clean-up this Summer – 5th Bridge has adopted three sections of highway in southern Dakota County, just north of Northfield. We need groups to clean each section sometime this summer, each group can choose their date and time. This is a great way to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program without making a two-year, multi-event commitment and your group can enjoy the great outdoor summer weather. Vests, gloves and garbage bags will be provided. For more info, contact candy@5thbridge.org or call 507-581-3017.

Walk with 5th Bridge in the Defeat of Jesse James Parade on Sunday, September 12. If you (or your group) want to join us, please contact candy@5thbridge.org.

River Clean-up Project – The Cannon Valley Watershed Partners is hosting a large scale clean-up of the Cannon and Straight Rivers on September 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. Last year they had over 200 people participate in the clean-up, this year they are hoping for over 400 volunteers. For more information, see the complete posting on our website under "opportunities" or contact Leslie Kennedy at leslie@crwp.net.

5th Bridge is hosting the fourth annual Feed My Starving Children mobile packing unit in Northfield November 12–14. This event is wonderfully rewarding! Local volunteers will donate money and pack meals that will be distributed to starving children and families around the world. The best part is that each person will leave the event with a smile on their face knowing that they played a tangible role in helping to alleviate global hunger.

Our goals this year are to pack a HALF MILLION meals and raise $85,000 to cover the meal costs. The average volunteer packs an estimated $30–$40 of raw ingredients. Each and every volunteer will be asked to contribute toward the cost, to the extent they are able. Recognizing that some people will not be able to contribute the full cost of the meals they will pack, we are seeking sponsorships to fill the gap, but we need each person to contribute as much as they can. If you're short on cash, here are a few ways you can raise money this summer for 5th Bridge's Feed My Starving Children event:

• Get some friends together and hold a car wash.
• Clean out your basement, closets and garage, and then host a garage sale.
• Hold a neighborhood pet wash.
• Kids might earn money for their donation by doing chores around the house or by helping neighbors with lawn care, pet care or other chores.
• Collect your family's spare change in a jar or container between now and our November event.

You will find lots of other service ideas on our website, www.5thbridge.org.

Have an "utterly joyful" summer of service. Don't forget to invite your friends to take the 5th Bridge Pledge and experience the "utter joy" of sharing your gifts and talents.

Candy Taylor and your friends at 5th Bridge