My Experience as a Volunteer (part 2 - Turkeys in Detroit)

Last year I joined my friends Adam and Devan in passing out turkeys in Detroit for Christmas. We passed out the turkeys through their church, Calvary Assembly of God in Gibraltar, Michigan. In addition to turkeys we had several large boxes of clothes to distribute. One of the parishioners owns a business on the east side and also runs a church service out of his warehouse. The plan was pretty simple: people come in and get some clothes, they then get a turkey, then they can pray with some of the organizers if they so incline. It's important to note that people did NOT have to pray or be prayed for in order to receive the clothes or turkeys.

All in all, things went extremely well. It was great to see that there were many people who were extremely grateful to recieve the items and could have a great Christmas dinner. That doesn't mean that everyone was grateful though, and I'd say there was really three distinct types of people that we served at the food bank.

1. The truly grateful - The ones you want to give the bigger turkeys to. These people just wanted to have a good dinner and get some warm clothes, especially for their kids.

2. The grumpily unsatisfiable - These were the people that pushed through the line to see the clothes and then complained when they couldn't find what they wanted. When we handed them a turkey thy asked for a second turkey or a bigger one (we didn't comply). These people had a need for clothes and turkeys but were rude and pushy about it.

3. The professional handout receiver - This was the smallest group of people, and the most frustrating. These people had their own collapsible wire baskets so they would be able to get the biggest haul. They'd quickly sort through he clothes for name brands and expensive looking items. They'd settle for nothing but the biggest turkey. (Well, really they did, but not without protest. I may be dramatizing a bit, but only a little.) This third group had no interest in praying or being prayed for. Said one of the group: "I have ten thousand people waiting for me at home, I don't have time for this".

Despite the free loaders of group 3, it was still a fulfilling experience. We ran out of turkeys part way through, but took down names so those that didn't get a turkey could come back and get one the next week (from the guy who owned the warehouse). In the end we had helped about one hundred families get some warmth and dinner. The sense of pride and accomplishment overcame the frustration and disappointment of some of the greedier individuals.

It was a bit of an eye opening experience. I work in Detroit and know what life can be like in some of the poorer neighborhoods but it was a bit surprising that so many families could be in such need of help in such a small area. We were not serving the city of Detroit, only a very small percentage of it. One neighborhood, maybe two, no more than a square mile or so. After donating my time to pass out these turkeys I wonder if there was a single person in that neighborhood who was 'making it' - that is earning enough of a living to maintain a basic quality of life.

I've often struggled with donations in general. My fear that the type of people I described in group number 3 will be the sole recipients of my money. After giving out turkeys I have changed my mind. After seeing how much the people of group 1 not only needed the help but appreciated it, I realize that you need to do everything you can to help them, in spite of whomever may also benefit. It's said that 'it's better for ten guilty men to go free than for one innocent man to be wrongly imprisoned.' That's how I feel about charity now - you need to help those that need it, even if a large part is helping those that don't deserve it.

So I hope everyone out these takes a look at their neighborhood or checks with their local government or religious groups to see what they can do to help. Maybe you can donate your clothes, maybe you can leave some money, maybe you can volunteer your time. Whatever it is, I found out first hand that there's plenty of people out there who can use your help.

Update - Schedule

WOW, an update. Sorry to my adoring fans, for being so busy lately. What a hectic holiday season I've been having. But I did make a few New Years Resolutions and one of them is to update this blog ASAP. Shame on me.

I have two experiences I need to finish writing up on. One is my experience passing out Turkeys in Detroit for Christmas dinner with my friends' church. This one should be up this weekend or early next week at the latest. The second is my experience at a pagan ceremony. It was such a unique cultural and religious experience that I want to make sure I do it proper justice with my blog about it. I've not had the time to sit and write a lengthy blog about it yet, but it is coming. I've meandered my way through The Illustrated Guide to Wicca - The Secrets of Witchcraft Revealed and I am one or two questions away from being able to put all my thoughts to computer.

I also have an experience or two on the table, including with the Michigan Militia and a Wild Shamanism teacher and dance instructor!

So thank you for your patience, please help spread the word about my little blog. (I said I wouldn't start really promoting until I had 5 'experiences' but that doesn't mean you can't!). also look for some updates to the blog itself in terms of relevant information and what have you.

Thanks again, I'm looking forward to experiencing some great new things in 2011.

Bob Saget Stole my Idea!

The show is called "Strange Days with Bob Saget" and is pretty much "My Experience As" but with video and a budget!


http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/nov/20/strange-sojourn/

Truth be told, someone must've come up with this idea before me as they've already filmed several episodes but still, quite a disappointment.

Couldn't they get Mike Rowe, Less Stroud, or Anthony Bourdain, or even Guy Fieri? I mean, I got beat out by BOB SAGET?

My Experience as a Volunteer

Last Saturday, my friend Jeff and I attended a Habitat for Humanity of Monroe build day. We worked from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM prepping and siding a garage in Dundee. We started by tearing down some old siding, pulling nails, and prepping the area. We then wrapped the garage in a special paper lining while another group put up the vents that run along the overhang of the roof. We then set about the actual task of putting up siding.

Overall, it was a great experience, and I would recommend everyone try it, or something like it, at least once. It did seem to me that the construction site could have used a bit more leadership and direction. Dave and Andy seemed like great builders, but they didn't really encourage people to step up and help out. There were many people who spent most of the day just standing around. In fact, after we finished the paper project, there was a solid two hours where I had nothing to do and resorted to sweeping out the garage and stacking plywood.

After lunch, where I managed to dump an entire glass of pop all over myself, Jeff and I decided to get back and aggressively seek a job; we didn't volunteer to stand around and watch others work all day, after all. That's when we made sure we got to work on the siding, and the afternoon went wonderfully after that.

Two of the things I really like about Habitat for Humanity of Monroe is that you get to see the results of your work right away and the project is right in your backyard. Sure, it was a great thing to give money to Haiti, and I felt like it was the right thing to do when I made a modest donation to Wikipedia, but in my mind those are far off places, where my donation is just lost in the shuffle of all the other, larger donations. But with Habitat, you're helping your community (well, Monroe's, anyway), you're helping your neighbors. I think that it's much more rewarding to know that you're having a larger impact right here at home.

Habitat certainly isn't the only local nonprofit or charity looking for volunteers. I encourage all my readers to find a cause you care about and seek out the most local group you can and get involved. Even if it's something you don't know much about now, you may develop a passion for it that you didn't even know you had. Fight off the feeling that one person can't make a difference in such a big world by making a difference in YOUR world.

I need your help everyone. Give me ideas of what to do. Give me places to go, people to see. Call your friends who may be involved in a community, group, or culture that would be interesting for me to attend and write about. I've got two events still on the horizon, but I need plenty more. Help me out. Thanks!

http://www.habitatmonroemi.org/index.php

My Experience As a Paranormal Investigator

My Experience As a Paranormal Investigator

Saturday night, my friend Dayna and I spent some time with the guys and gals of Oh-Mi Paranormal, tromping through what was once the site of the Battle of Frenchtown, where 397 United States forces were killed by a British – Indian coalition.

We battled rain, passing trains, and occasional road noise, but otherwise encountered nothing I would classify as paranormal. While I didn't find any ghosts, I did gain a great deal of insight and appreciation for what paranormal investigators do and their reasons behind it.

The story was familiar, each member I asked recited a similar story: some time in their past, each had a paranormal experience that they were helpless to explain. The ordeal was enough to drive them to seek out what it was they encountered, to understand the nature of the phenomenon that they experienced. For founder Ryan Sparks, this personal quest is secondary to his main goal: helping others who are confused or frightened by what they perceive to be paranormal experiences in their own lives.

Ryan explained to me that about 80% of their cases are solved and are not paranormal. Ryan cited prescription drug induced hallucinations, gas leaks, old furnaces, and even clients using LSD and other mind altering drugs. Ryan doesn't get disappointed when the result of his investigations reveal a worldly explanation for the problems facing his clients, he's just happy to help.

As for the actual investigation, I found it to be a bit dull when compared to the Ghost Hunters or some of the other TV paranormal investigators. I guess I should’ve expected that when a 12 hour night is compressed to a 30-minute TV-recap, the parts where they wait for the spirits to manifest are cut out. We did some EVP work, and took a nice walk through the field to try and talk to some of the soldiers that may be lingering there, but our efforts were for naught. Of course, that didn't mean I didn't have a fun time and good experience.

I found that the paranormal investigators were very down to earth people, with rich full lives and close friendships. Each of the people I talked to that night credit paranormal investigations as creating the best friendships of their lives.

Like any community, the investigators seemed to like to talk about other (friendly) rival groups, the latest discoveries or encounters, and their place within the overall culture of the paranormal. Debate topics ranged from whether they would seek an alliance with a TV show ghost hunting team, to whether or not ghosts can see 'ghosts' of us (in a cross-dimensional time travel sort of way).

I learned a lot about paranormal investigations, but more importantly, perhaps, what drives a paranormal investigator. I learned that the mechanics behind the members of a ghost hunting community are similar as those around a book club or baking group: to seek companionship and conversation with like minded people in an effort to enhance their understanding of their particular field of interest, their community, and society at large.

I'd like to thank Ryan and the rest of his team at OH-MI Paranormal for extending me the courtesy of an invitation to join them on their latest investigation. Please check out their website and facebook page.

Facebook Group

2 NEW EVENTS - Tomorrow

I'm attending 2 events tomorrow and plan to share my experience with you.

In the morning, I will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Monroe.

At night, I will be joining a paranormal investigation, also in Monroe.

Look for my experiences to be posted next week sometime.

Upcoming 'events'

So far, I have but one event planned. I'll be attending a Wiccan ceremony sometime in December. I am super excited to learn more about Wiccan beliefs and rituals.

Please let me know if you have an event that I could attend. I'd surely appreciate it.