Current 10% of the way there! $744.

So you read it. We're 10% of the way to our goal. Zach is really enjoying learning to mix cookie dough and of course how to package it and present it so it becomes something really special. We've sold several cakes, not enough yet that he's tried to tackle one on his own. I thought it was up to us as parents to teach our children how to cook or bake. I'm surprised at how many people are shocked to find out that he's doing the work on his own. Our children have been in the kitchen standing on chairs helping us cook since they were able to stand up without falling down. They are going to make some women very happy someday.

He really wants to earn the money to pay his own way for this trip to Europe, he knows that if he doesn't achieve the whole $7000 that we're going to help him out. We think he will appreciate it better and grow a lot of self confidence and pride in himself when he gets there. He has signed us all up on Facebook so we can keep in touch with all of our family and friends.

With the holidays we still have not recycled all of those cans, as soon as we do I'll post how much we got for them.

'til next time

Aluminum Prices Down

Well I called today to check on aluminum can recycling prices and it seems they are down a little. We'll probably hold out until they start back up. We have recycled cans before, I wonder what a really good price is? Seems like lately they have risen when gas prices go up.

Zach got his passport photo taken and has submitted an application for a passport. He also made up several batches of cookie dough to fulfill orders. He got 2 more cookie dough orders today.

I also visited the website for the group that's organizing the Student Ambassadors today www.peopletopeople.com and checked out their information on fundraising. I found out that they have funding e-cards available for purchase, say for instance a family member, friend or neighbor wanted to give Zach money for the holiday to go towards his trip, they simply could go to www.invite.peopletopeople.com/give and purchase a card that will go towards his trip.

Seems like a lot of information to process but it also is coming to us gradually and in small enough bites we can chew and swallow without choking. I'm glad so many others have done this before us and are willing to share what they've learned. Aren't people great.

Well we're off to deliver that cookie dough and a few fliers.

Until next time...
LaDonna

Fundraising Update

What a great fundraising weekend! Sold a cake and cookie dough, got an order for the same for next weekend. We had friends call and went and picked up cans. Zach thought he hit it big when one friend had four 50 gallon trash bags and three 13 gallon bags full. Then Saturday he went with his dad to another friends house and filled bags for hours. They ended up coming home with a truck bed and trailer full, they had twenty-one 50 gallon trash bags when it was all done. They decided to be typical boys and proceeded to pile them up in the driveway...YES I mean all 24 bags.......then they got in their trucks and ran them over to crush them. I'm not sure whether they enjoyed receiving that many cans or the thrill of the crush more. Nevertheless it was a pretty awesome site to see, I'm going to have to figure out how to post pics and share those types of moments. Today we went to the bank and opened a separate account so money for fundraising has its own place to be. While there we also share a flier, hopefully they'll start saving cans or place an order too. At this point we are truly grateful to those of you who have helped. We are blessed to know all of you. Until next time........

What an Opportunity

We first received a letter at the end of September, addressed "to the parents of Zachary King". I originally thought it was just more junk mail but I always open it and check anyway. To my surprise it was actually an invitation for our son to apply to become a "People to People Student Ambassador". It wasn't until we visited the website and found out that he might be chosen to visit Europe in the summer of 2011 that we became very intrigued, somewhat envious (that we weren't going to get to go too), and very excited!
Through our research we found out that he would get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, visit with a former member of Parliament, reach out and learn about cultures other than his own while representing his country, stay on local farms with host families, as well as many other exciting experiences.
We decided immediately that we would do anything for him to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. The first step was to submit an application and go for an interview. After the interview we were told that he was accepted into the program. That news brought on a whole other set of emotions and questions. Like how were we going to be able to finance the tuition fee (approx. $7000) and how were we going to go about raising funds to do so? We also realized we were going to be sending our son to another country! Not something we're accustomed to doing.
We think we have come up with a plan - he has started collecting cans. We have also spread the word to everyone we know and they are saving scrap metal for us as well. Since the holidays are coming up we printed up fliers and are making cookie dough, fresh baked breads and cakes and raffling off a gingerbread house and church.
So far we have raised $644. Not a lot in comparison to what we have to get to but we've only just begun. More fundraising ideas are on their way, I just know it. I think we will get there. With a little persistence and a lot of work. No to mention it will all be worth it! This experience is one he will never forget. You never know the group of Student Ambassadors may even be invited to a Royal Wedding!!!

LaDonna