Farewell

During the past couple of months I knew my time posting on this blog was limited. On May 13, 2007 I officially graduated from Loras College with my degree in politics. It was a great occasion while at the same disappointing. I am most disappointed that it took 4 and ½ years to finally understand the importance of helping people out. I had a good friend in Jeff who took this small liberal arts college and changed it forever. He allowed me to write this blog completely free. What happened this semester at Loras will never be forgotten and every person on that campus owes it a former hockey player who took a chance to help the world. As I stated earlier, Jeff allowed me freedom in my postings which made the blog more true and more reliable. Now this is my last post, and continuing with this tradition of free blogging are Grant Smith and Nate Matelich. Thank you to all who read this blog, please continue to read what Nate and Grant have to say. Remember this is OUR blog and the more we all interact with the blog, the more enjoyable place this becomes.

Thank You,
George

A New Prospective

So often we walk around talking on our cell phones, iPod blasting in our ears, nose barried in some worthless gossip magazine, only paying attention to all the things in our comsumeristic that really don't matter. Check out these youtube videos to get a new prospective on life ourside of your comfort bubble. I hope these videos make you uncomfortabe. I know they made me...

Children of North Korea Scramble for Scraps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVA4kgVGmX0

Putting Children First: Nepal's National Vitamin A Campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIjnx-ULYg

For all of UNICEF youtube videos check out
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=unicef

Let me know what you think...

Nathan Matelich
UNICEF at Loras President

Charity Ball/Update

So much has happened since my last post one month ago that i do not know where to start.

First place i should start is on the amazing showing and effort for the charity ball on April 21. The night was filled with amazing food, great music, but most importantly (at least in my mind) was the money raised. The group raised over $1,000 thanks to great people who care to make a difference both on this campus and across the world. Thank you to everyone who made it the night it was but most importantly everyone needs to thank the people who put it together, Jeff Lfotsgaarden and Nathan Matelich. Without their leadership that night would not have been possible. It takes a daring person to use their valuable time to setup an event of this magnitude.

Thank you also to Meredith Spohn and Lucas Slater for stepping up and taking major leadership roles both in the group in general and on the charity ball committee. In an event focused on raising money, the people who handle the financial issues have to be on a higher level of trust than most. These two individu als are extremely trustworthy, hardworking, and efficient. Thank you two so very much for all of your work!

The next round of thanks goes to Katie Kraft, Katie O'Connor, and Katie Morrissey . The Katie's were so amazing in helping set up the evening including arranging all thee donated items into fantastic silent auction and raffle prizes. The ladies also were instrumental in the organization by raising generous amounts of money. Thank you ladies so much everything you touched turn to gold.

To be Cont...

VT Post

This blog author would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of the Virgina Tech incident which happened yesterday. Unfortunately incidents like this happen and it breaks everyone out of their bubble. If we do not learn anything from this except one thing, i hope that one thing is that we need to look out for each other all the time. Just because somebody looks like they are in a good mood does not always mean they are in a good mood. It only takes a couple of minutes to see how someone is doing and reassure them that they have someone to talk to. It happens too many times in this world that people are put off to the shelf because they are different. We are all different, no two people are alike. If someone acts a little strange that does not mean they are bad people.

News From UNICEF Campus Initiative

If you have already signed up as volunteer for the Campus Initiative on the UNICEF home page you should have received a special email from Rachael Swanson talking about the Idea List Conference in Chicago.

(From an Email) Campus leaders, Jeff Loftsgaarden and George Petruck from Loras College in Dubuque Iowa, and Bethany Carriger from Southern Illinois University met with UNICEF staff at the Idealist.org Campus Conference, March 23-25th in Chicago, IL.

The conference was packed with relevant and inspiring content for student leaders. Highlights included hearing from Ami Dar, Founder of Idealist.org, participating in groups with students from all over the country to discuss social change, workshops, performance art, and closing thoughts from student activists.

(From Left to Right: Lofty, Myself, Bethany, Rachael)

That was such a fun weekend, I cannot wait till this weekend's Charity Ball....

Clay Akin's Drive

Currently Clay Akin (of American Idol Fame) is appealing for your help in raising money for the children of Afghanistan. Clay is attempting to raise $100,000 in 10 days and is almost at his goal. Please take the time to help Clay reach his goal, donate anything you can.

State Department Deally

So our little State Department has a list of every country in the world and their records on Human Rights over the course of the year. There are way too many countries to reach and read right now, but thats where you come in, what is your favorite country in the world (besides the one you live in) and what does the State Department say about them?