Team Building Volunteer Opportunity Available for Heartland Staff Members

Last September a group of Heartland employees volunteered at “Meals from the Heartland” to give their time and energy to a great cause. They packaged dry ingredients for meals that were shipped to malnourished children around the world. You can learn more about “Meals from the Heartland” at their Web site www.mealsfromtheheartland.org/.

All Heartland staff members are invited to join in this important and meaningful event taking place again this September. Team Heartland AEA has over 50 members who have already expressed interest in Heartland’s volunteer session which is scheduled for Friday, September 4 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. If you would like to join the team, just e-mail Jeri Messenger at jmessenger@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Here’s what Mariann Culver, Assessment Consultant, who participated in the event last year, had to say:

"Who would imagine that filling plastic bags with dried foods could be so rewarding, enjoyable and exciting? It was exciting to hear the numbers of completed food bags grow throughout the evening. It was enjoyable to work side-by-side with colleagues we may not see everyday, and it was rewarding to know that those less fortunate would have nutritious meals."

If you are unable to participate this year, please know that your donation of canned/non-perishable food or cash to purchase more meals for packaging would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to give any such donations to Gilmara Mitchell or Stephaney Jones-Vo who will turn them in personally.