Day 164: Helped With Graduation

This evening, I was played a very small part in implementing the Leadership Spokane graduation. Although my internship has officially ended, I wanted to be of some service. Also, this is the event that we had been working on for months! I helped with the programs and slideshow, as well as filming the event! It was an incredible experience to just sit in the room and listen to the distinguished speakers, graduates and staff.  I am so glad I was able to attend.

Oh, and the venue was gorgeous. If you have never been to Fort Mukogawa in Spokane, it is breathtaking. It is an old fort with somewhat of an old colonial feel in the middle of the forest. It was so cool! I wish I had pictures to share, but I do have a few from the actual event.

                  

                   

                                  

God bless 

& congratulations graduates,

Kailee

Day 163: Baked Cookies For Co-Workers

Today, I completed another chapter in my life. I finished my internship with Leadership Spokane as an events intern. It is amazing the things I learned and the ways I grew in the short time I was able to spend there. The staff behind this incredible non-profit organization are even more incredible and are true leaders. The city of Spokane is lucky to have two incredible women behind the wheel of this civic leadership training program. For those of you who do not know, each August a select few from an array of different businesses are chosen to go through this leadership program. Much like a school, they make up a class. Tomorrow is both Leadership Spokane and Youth Leadership Spokane's graduation and I would just like to say congratulations to the classes of 2013!

                                  

To show my gratitude to such a wonderful group, I decided to make cookies. It is always nice to have something sweet when sitting behind a desk all day. It is easy to say they were very grateful! It was the very least I could do. 

Thank you once again to Leadership Spokane, Linda and Beth for everything! I look forward to working with you in the future! 

God bless,

Kailee

Day 154: Donated To Leadership Spokane

For those of you who don't know, I am currently an intern at Leadership Spokane. Leadership Spokane is a non-profit organization that offers a civic leadership training program in which the voices of all sectors of the community are balanced, with the clear understanding that the health of all these sectors is vital to a healthy Spokane. Classes focus on servant leadership and use every Leadership Spokane to discuss a new attribute of servant leadership. One of the classes focuses on diversity, in which a group of the students have created a diversity scholarship. At this point, Leadership Spokane and the scholarship team are asking for donations to create a long lasting scholarship fund.

You can read more about this scholarship and donate by clicking here. I donated $5 because being an intern for this organization for only a few short months has already taught me so much. These are incredible people striving to do incredible things. This is an organization that embraces and celebrates diversity like none other. Please consider donating at least $1 to such a phenomenal organization! 

God bless,

Kailee

Day 74: Taste Spokane

If you were granted just one wish, what would it be? If you are unsure of your answer, then you are like me. There are so many amazing experiences and adventures waiting to be had. However, if you do know the answer, then you are much like Wishing Star kids. Children with Wishing Star are kids between the ages of 3-21 who have a life threatening or life shortening illness. Similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wishing Star grants one incredible wish to each their 'wish kid'. Below are three children who have processed a wish and are waiting for them to be granted.

(London, Landon and Roan)

To fundraise for future wishes, Wishing Star held their annual fundraiser titled 'Taste Spokane' at Northern Quest Casino. Guests were invited to roam about the tables with tokens which could be traded for samples of delicious food from a plethora of different restaurants, wineries and breweries within the area. While the guests milled about, there was a live band and raffle prizes being sold. This is where I came in. 

I sold raffle tickets to those who wished to purchase them and raised money for Wishing Star by doing so. Each team of sellers was given a specific child to sell for, so Bev and I had precious little London. Our job was to promote the three (phenomenal) raffle prizes, which included a day on the farm and a picnic, an airplane ride above the Northern Idaho lakes or a murder mystery party for the winner and friends. When we sold a ticket, that money was then donated to help make London's wish come that much closer to coming true. She wished for a Dora the Explorer adventure! 

Overall, my time there was a huge success. I learned about the organization and met new connections, but most importantly making more wishes possible for more children! For information on Wishing Star, please click here.

God Bless,

Kailee

Day 50: EWU Donation Drive

Beginning on February 14th, EWU started 26 acts of kindness to join the national movement honoring Sandy Hook. Tonight marks day 6 and the end of their donation drive for Crosswalk Teen Shelter in Spokane. I luckily saw the sign below when I was walking out of class and I was able to participate in the drive. One of the most needed items was mens and womens deodorant.

Before today, I had never heard of Crosswalk Teen Shelter. I did a quick web search and found that it is an emergency shelter, a school drop-out prevention center and a group of life saving and life changing programs dedicated to break the cycle of youth homelessness. According to the site, they serve  over 1,000 teens. You can learn more about the shelter here.

If you'd like to learn more about the EWU 26 days of kindness, click here!

God bless & go eags,

Kailee

Day 49: A Surprise For Two Princesses

As yesterday's events unfolded, one of my closest Miss Washington sisters and Miss WA roommate had to crown her successor. Before doing so, Kenzie was given the opportunity to do her final walk and presentation. At the end of her farewell speech, she invited two young girls on stage, whom she had met earlier this year at the Children's Hospital. The two inspiring young sisters have both battled cancer and won. As she chatted with them at the hospital, they shared that their favorite artist was Taylor Swift. While on stage, Kenzie asked them a few question and then presented them with a surprise that I am sure they will remember forever. 

(Kenzie Novell, Miss Spokane 2012) 

Below is a link to the video of Kenzie's surprise for the girls! When earlier discussing this with Kenzie, we decided that this video would be perfect. Her loving act of kindness can now be shared all over and hopefully inspire others to do something, if not of this magnitude, to at least try an act of kindness in any size or shape!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151322563826025&set=vb.572661024&type=2&theater

My act for Kenzie is to not only share this video here, but on social media as well. Who knows, maybe we could even get Taylor Swifts attention on Twitter? If you feel inspired, tweet taylor or share the video anywhere you can! You'll never know how great something could be until you just try.

Congratulations Kenzie on one fantastic year! Love you!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 27: Attended The Lilac Coronation

I haven't been in Spokane long, but I have always been aware of the Lilac Festival. I never knew much about the festival itself or the beautiful young ladies, who sport crowns and matching purple outfits. The only thing I did know, is just that, the court is seven young ladies who always match and always wear purple. Tonight, I learned it is so much more.

Much like any other pageant system, there is so much more than meets the eye. To an outsider, these girls may look like just a pretty face, but they are determined, passionate and accomplished. Each contestant is a senior in high school and, if chosen to be a part of the court, receive scholarship monies.

(Before the show)

Each high school- public and private- in the Spokane area nominate one girl to represent their school. I believe I read there are 29 schools in all. Then after a long deliberation and judging the 29 girls are then cut down to the "Fab 14". These 14 young ladies are the lucky few chosen to compete on stage to be one of the seven in the court and ultimately the queen!

(The queen and her court)

At first, I hadn't really known what I was getting myself into. However, by the end of the coronation, I was so happy I had come and supported such an incredible organization. I hope the queen and her court have a fantastic year! It goes by too quickly...