South Campus Ambassadors Interact Club

February 8th, 2008

2008-02-10T18:44:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Here are the updates from this past meeting...
***The Variety Show was a huge success! They made $741.25 (for only 50 minutes of a show!) So thanks to everyone who helped!
***Galina is going to do a stuffed animal drive. She will need help to collect the animals, get the word out, etc. The animals are going to the WBL Police Department and St. John's Hospital. Only new stuffed animals please!
***On February 22 at Oneka Elementary Ambassadors will be helping out after school, "teaching" little mini courses. The time will be announced next meeting.
***Bill is going to talk to the WBL Food Shelf and Second Harvest for some volunteering opportunities.
***Talk to Caitlin or sign up at a meeting to bag groceries at Cub Foods in North Oaks on March 21!
***Michelle is organizing volunteers for the Rotary Club Dinner and Auction. It is on March 8th from about 5:15 to 11:00 pm. We would be serving dinner and/or running the coat check! The tips we receive will go directly into your account for next year if we decide to go on a trip!
***Nari is helping with the race for the Rotary Club on April 5th. There will be a sign up sheet for that soon.
***Thank you! Stay warm!

January 18, 2008

2008-01-21T13:42:00.000-06:00

+++Sign up to help bag groceries at Cub Foods in North Oaks on March 21st. This would raise money to go into your account for a possible trip next year.
+++The Parkview Carnival is going to be sometime in February. You will be face painting and doing "Libby Lu" hairstyles. Talk to Amy for more details.
+++Penny, Lynn, and Michelle met with Greg about the trip. We will be taking coach buses with movies! Everyday we will stay in a new town, maybe one day we won't be able to shower (but every other day we could). At night we will have small groups to discuss what you did. The last night will be at a nice hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. We will meet up with Blaine High School at St. Louis to do a "big" service project. We will be visiting Iowa State University and another one too (undecided right now). They designed a t-shirt especially for our group. The theme is love. Parent meeting is January 30 at 7 pm in Ms. Whitcomb's room!
+++Please make some posters for the recycling project sometime before Jan. 25. Talk to James, Jim, Albert, or Abbie for more details on what to put on the posters.
+++Please sign up to help with the recycling project starting Tue. 29 for Ambassadors. We need 10-15 people after school for about 30-45 minutes. Meet behind the language department rooms.
+++Sat. 26 the "Bearly Open" glof tournament is on WB Lake and proceeds go to the WBL Food Shelf. Two people from Ambassadors can golf in it and janet will pay for your registration fee! Talk to her ASAP if you are interested in that. We need about 6 volunteers at 8 am, talk to Pat for more details.
+++Thanks! Have a good week!

January 4, 2008

2008-01-11T00:43:00.000-06:00

+++T-shirts will be handed out on January 11.
+++Valentine Cards with third graders for White Bear Center: MAKE cards if you want, bring them to the next meeting. From: [first name]. For more info, contact Cindy and Allie.
+++Spring Break: Fill out packet by next Friday. The first nights will be at YMCAs, churches, etc. In St. Louis, Ambassadors will stay at a hotel. You will not miss any school.
+++BRAINSTORMING!!!!!: Here are some ideas for service projects discussed at the last meeting: Habitat for Humanity, food shelf, nursing homes, Lion's Club play, teddy bear drive, book drive, rotary dinner (Michelle), pennies for patients, snow shoveling, and the 2nd Harvest food shelf. Feel free take any of these and get something started!
+++If you want to get on the emailing list of WBL Volunteer Services, send Ms. Newberg an email. Aside from this, you can look for service projects in the newspaper, church bulletins, and volunteermatch.org.
+++ELC recycling program will be starting very soon and many volunteers will be needed. This will be discussed in detail at the next meeting.
+++WE NEED MORE PROJECTS!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone
Sorry it took so long to get this post up!

Meeting of 12-21-07

2008-01-01T20:05:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!!
*Thanks to Janent for the bagels and juice and Jim for the accordian background music!
*T-shirt order forms are now avaiable and due 01/04/08!!! they are $10
*Thanks to Penny, Pat, Michelle, and Lynn for working at Dinner with Santa. They had lots of fun talking with the elderly and serving them food!
*Thanks to everyone who helped out collected toys at the Holiday Dance for the flood victims of southern MN!
*There will be an upcoming project with Regions Hospital ER...they are going to collect coloring books, crayons, children's books, and Spanish children's books!
*Spring break info packet is now available! $100 deposit is due by 01/15/08 and the ful payment by Feb. 1 for the "early bird discount" of $20 (so its $260 instead of $280).
*There will be a project with Second Harvest coming up. Matt will be in charge of it.
*It's never too early to do a presentation and get your hours in!!!
*Rotary is going to have the big fundraiser (silent/live auction and dinner) on Sat. March 8. We typically serve dinner. AND they also have the Strive Scholarship Race- 5K race the first Sat. of April. We will be helping as road guards and at the registration.

Meeting of December 15, 2007

2007-12-20T19:41:00.000-06:00

Here's the latest update:
+++++The Willow Lane Santa Claus visit event, Parkview event, and Casa de Esperanza all went fantastically!!! Thank you to everyone who helped out.
+++++Ambassadors worked at the donation box at the dance last Friday.
+++++ELC Recycling Program: This project is in the works and will be implemented in the near future. ELC members will be speaking with teachers and staff in the coming weeks about placing recycling bins in each room, with members from Ambassadors, NHS, and Student Council picking the bins up twice a week. The program will start with aluminum cans and will progress to include paper and other materials as well. We need YOU to make this work!!! After break, we will have a schedule prepared in which YOU can sign up to collect the recycling bins on given school days. Thanks for your future help.
+++++Dinner with Santa: This event put on by the White Bear Country Inn and Rudy's Red Eye Grill was a lot of fun this past Tuesday. Thanks to everyone involved!
+++++Spring Break Trip: Locations: Ames, Iowa-->Big 10 school; Jefferson City, Missouri; St. Charles, Missouri-->a college. Participants will leave the Friday night before Spring Break and return Tuesday. The cost will be in the range of $260-$280. There are still spot available, but we need to finalize the list very soon. There will be a max. of 35 people.
+++++Next Friday is the Winter Solstice. Ms. Newberg will provide breakfast.
+++++T-Shirts: Michelle is finalizing the designs you voted for. There will be 4 people in a TV set with a John Lennon quote. There will probably be an order form at the next meeting.
+++++Saturday, from 5-8:00, Ambassadors were bell-ringing at the Vadnais Heights Festival. Thanks.
+++++2nd Harvest: Please call the organization if you are interested in participating in an assembly-line-ish setup to package food. Usually, the shifts run for 2 hours.

Meeting of 12-7-07

2007-12-09T18:29:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the weekend!
***Thank you to the Willow Lane family fun night volunteers who helped out with that event on this past Friday night. Thanks to all the Parkview Carnival volunteers on this past Friday night. Also, thanks to the volunteers who babysit children for the Holida Bureau Program.
***Help is needed for Casa de Esparanza this Wednesday after school in Dahle's room. You will be packing things together, shopping, etc.
***Ms. Newberg just got back from Jamaica! She "scouted" for some possible future trips for the Ambassadors Interact Club...St. Michaels (a primary school there) needed some help teaching kids, playing with them...etc. and also if they could get a medical team to go down there for a week or two...just ideas for the future. So welcome back Ms. Newberg!
***For this Friday's Holiday Dance, Jessie and Ellie are in charge of the drive for hats, mittens, and new toys for the flood victims of MN. Please contact them if you are interested in helping, otherwise, bring something (hats, mittens, new toys...) to the informal holiday dance this friday and get a discount price!
***Dinner with Santa is on the 17th in St. Cloud and on the 18th in WBL (the Country Inn by Rudy's Red Eye Grill and McDonalds). You would be talking with the elderly and serving food...dressed up at Mrs. Claus or an elf! So talk to Michelle for more details. If you don't have a costume we can get you one!
*** After school this Monday Student Council and Ambassadors will be painting another coat of paint around the pilars in the lunch room. Show up if you are interested!
***We voted on shirts and the results will be in next meeting!
***Nick is in charge of putting together a South Campus Ambassadors brochure for North Campus...basically what we do and what we are about. Talk to him if you have any cool ideas!
***Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) met this past Wednesday..it's a group that involves Student Council, Ambassadors, and NHS. We are thinking about kicking off a recycling project...starting with pop cans! Each group would take a week to go around to every room after school and collect pop cans. More information will be announced later!
***Talk to Samantha if you are interested in bell ringing on the 15th or 22nd at the Vadnais Heights Festival from 4-8 or 5-8.
***The Friday before Christmas Break we will be having breakfast! Thanks to Ms. Newberg!

Meeting of November 16, 2007

2007-11-17T17:36:00.000-06:00

Here's what we talked about on Friday:
++++++++Thanksgiving is this Thursday! Anyone who wants to participate in the Meals On Wheels program should contact Katlin or Ms. Newberg. Those who are participating should meet in the South Campus parking lot at 3:30 AM on Thanksgiving. From there, Ambassadors will carpool to Cretin Durham Hall to sort the food and then deliver the food to three or four families. Participants will most likely get back at around 9:30 AM. Also, it is important that each of the carpools has one adult (18+).
++++++++T-shirts: submit your designs as soon as possible!!!
++++++++Parkview project: On Friday, November 30, Parkview Elementary is having some sort of event. To help out with this, Ambassadors are needed to cut fleece from the 26th to the 29th after school.
++++++++Students Today Leaders Tomorrow Spring Break Trip: The 4 students leaders for the trip are: Michelle, Penny, Sarah, and Albert.
++++++++Ms. Newberg will be in Jamaica on November 30.
++++++++We need pictures for the yearbook, paper, and blog!!! Please take a camera with you when you volunteer. Further, get those media release forms in to the office if you haven't already. If you're not sure whether you turned one in or not (possibly for another activity), check with the office--they have a master file with all of them listed.
++++++++The troop bracelet project on Thursday was a success!
++++++++WE NEED MORE PROJECTS. Please come up with service possibilities and present them to the group.

THANKS. ENJOY THE BREAK.

Friday, November 2

2007-11-09T09:30:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this next blog up, life has been very busy! Here is a list of the main things we talked about at this meeting...
* Two representatives came to talk to us about our possible spring break trip. We would be leaving after school on Friday (the last day of school before spring break) and coming home on Tuesday during Spring Break. There can only be 35 people on the trip, if there are more we will have to formulate a waiting list. We would drive to a city about 10 hours away and along the way we would stop in 3 towns to do a service project in the day and then we would have reflection and activites at the night. We would be sleeping in community centers, churches, schools, etc. We would also stop at two different colleges to take a tour along the way. The cost is $280, but the "Early bird" special is $260. We will be talking more about this in upcoming meetings!
*Holiday Bureau- this is a program that provides Christmas gifts to people in Washington County and the families are coming in the week of November 27th to fill out some forms. We need some people to come and babysit the children while their parents talk to the program directors. The dates/times are Nov. 27, 28, 29, 30 at 5pm-8pm and Dec. 1 at 9am-2pm. If you can make it any day please contact Abbie!
*If you have any t-shirt designs please bring them to the next meeting!!!
*Sunday, November 4 Ambassadors is running their traditional waterstop on White Bear Lake for the Strive Scholarship Race for the Rotary Club. Contact McKayla for more information.
*Please talk to Caitlin if you are interested in participating in Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels. You would have to get up pretty early on Thanksgiving Day and then we would go to help make and package Thanksgiving meals to people who can't afford to have a Thanksgiving meal.
*Thanks! Have a good weekend!!!

Meeting of October 26, 2007

2007-10-26T16:40:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Here is a list of everything we talked about at the last meeting:

**Thanks to everyone who helped out at Willow Lane! Apparently, it went very well and included face painting.
**Every year the Ambassadors come up with a new t-shirt design. Although the designs won't be voted on for quite some time, anyone interested is encouraged to start sketching some ideas. If anyone wants to organize a committee to a design a t-shirt, he or she is more than welcome to do so.
**Student Council members visited us today!!! They informed us that they will be gone this coming Tuesday. Because of this, they will be unable to collect items for the WBL Foodshelf during the first part of first block. They asked us if we could take their place. All that would be required would be collecting the food items, placing them in boxes, and bringing them to the cafeteria. Anyone interested should come to Ms. Whitcomb's room at 7:15 on Tuesday. More specific details will be addressed there.
****Student Council also asked us to participate in the Trick or Can program. Any Ambassadors who want to go out on Halloween should bring their haul to either North or South Campus between 6 and 9 that evening. Otherwise, the cans may be brought to school the next day. As Maggie and Sasha reminded us, this would count as Ambassadors hours and NHS hours.
**WBL Rotary Strive Scholarship: The next race will be on Sunday, November 4th. Ambassadors will be in charge of staffing the water stop on South Shore Boulevard. We need about ten people to work this event from 11 to 2. If you are interested, please contact McKaela.
**Rotary Dinners with Santa: For this, volunteers would be asked to work a dinner while being dressed as Santa, Mrs. Clause, an elf, etc. There are two possibilities to participate. The first will be on Monday, December 17 at the Best Western in St. Cloud. The second will be on Tuesday, December 18 at the Country Inn on Highway 61. Those interested in the St. Cloud dinner would get a free room for the night and free phone use. If you do not have a suitable costume, one would be provided for you by the organizers.
**WBL Senior Center: We need Ambassadors to rake leaves for five senior citizens as soon as possible. Bags and rakes will be provided.
**Raking Opportunity #2: The lady who won the silent auction won our help in raking her yard this Sunday. There are currently enough people for this, but any additional help would be welcome--contact Penny if you are interested.
**Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels: Anyone interested contact Bill or Kaitlin.
**Before too long, we will be getting a group picture for the yearbook. In addition, people with cameras should take photos whenever they can, so that we have something else to put in the yearbook.
**If you haven't been getting emails from Ms. Newberg, please email her to get on the mailing list.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND

Meeting of 10-12-07

2007-10-12T19:42:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Here is a list of what we talked about at the meeting today...

~Thanks to everyone who helped out at the Twin Cities Marathon, cheering and handing out water...some even stayed from 6-2! Good job and thanks!
~A possible mariners (choir) and/or instrumental group going to a local nursing home to sing/play for senior citizens. Contact Sarah C. for more information.
~Willow Lane Family Fun Night, Tuesday 10-16-07 from 5pm-8:30pm. Contact Galina B. for more information.
~Parkview Elementary Volunteering Opportunities...
1. Redeemer After School Club, grades 3-5 (help with homework)- wednesdays from 3:30pm-5pm. Starting October 24th.
2. PTO Day Care: 2nd Tuesday of every month form 6-7pm
3. After school homework helpers in extended day from 3:15-4:15pm. (not sure about every day or every week...) Contact Carly J. for more information.
~Contact Elise K. to volunteer at New Perspective nursing home in Mahtomedi. (last year they did it every Tuesday, she will be giving more information next meeting on days/times)
~The Maplewood Historical Society is always looking for volunteers! Contact Nick W. for more information on volunteering at the Historical Society!
~If you have an interest in designing this year's t-shirts for Ambassadors, please turn in your designs ASAP! We will be voting and deciding on a design in the next couple of weeks!
~Weeding of the Peace Garden at South Campus needs to be done! Monday 10-15-07 people will be weeding after school, so come with a couple friends and (if you have them) gardening gloves and spade. Also, you can go weed whenever you have the time. Just talk to Camilia Y. or Mrs. Leonard (health teacher at South) before weeding!

That's about all the information that we talked about at today's meeting! Can't wait to see everyone at the next meeting! Have a good weekend everyone!

WELCOME TO 2007-2008 AMBASSADORS!!

2007-10-11T17:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome back seniors, and welcome to South Campus juniors! It's going to be a GREAT year!

We finalized our election results for club officers. Your officers for 2007-2008 are:

Presidents: Jim M. and Albert L.
Vice President: Sam S.
Secretaries: Abbie R. and Pat D.
Treasurers: Penny W. and Lynn

Here is a list of volunteer opportunities coming up soon:

10-16-07 - Help out at Willow Lane Family Fun Night. Contact Jim M. if you can help

10-13-07 - Help the Lions Club collect food for a local food shelf. They need help at the old fire hall in Vadnais Heights from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Call Albert L. for more details

Thanksgiving morning: We South Campus Ambassadors have a great tradition of delivering meals to the needy on Thanksgiving. Bill H. and Caitlyn J. have volunteered to pull together workers for this event.

A BIG THANKS to everyone who helped out at the Twin Cities Marathon last Sunday! Aren't you glad you weren't RUNNING it???

Fiesta de Mayo - Centerpoint Elementary

2007-04-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

Centerpoint will be holding a Mexican-themed carnival (Fiesta de Mayo) at the school on May 18 to raise funds. James F. (a Centerpoint alum!) is recruiting volunteers to work at this fun event. Please contact James if you can help.

Fabulous Indian Meal this Sunday!

2007-04-27T10:20:00.000-05:00

Aleysha T., a Rotary foreign exchange student from India, will be preparing a FABULOUS Indian meal for select Ambassadors this Sunday, April 29 at Ms. Newberg's house! If you signed up to attend this dinner, please come to Ms. Newberg's house this Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Here are the directions:

Go north on Highway 61 past the downtown White Bear Lake area. Take a right on Highway 61. Go about a mile to Portland Ave., and turn left on Portland. Go north on Portland just over a mile to Cristine Court. Take a right on Cristine Court. Cristine comes to a "T" with Jenni Lane in 2 blocks. Ms. Newberg's house is right at that "T". The address is 5602 Jenni Lane.

See you Sunday!

Garage Sale is at Otter Lake Elementary TOMORROW!

2007-04-27T10:18:00.000-05:00

If you signed up with Kevin P. to help with the garage sale at Otter Lake Elementary, it's TODAY and TOMORROW! Set-up will begin at 3:45 p.m. today, and the sale will be tomorrow, April 28 from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

Twin Cities Kids Marathon - May 19

2007-04-27T10:16:00.000-05:00

Remember the fun we had last October manning the BEST WATER STOP in the whole Twin Cities Marathon? Well, the folks at the Marathon are sponsoring a running event for kids on May 19 at Como Park in St. Paul. Leeza S. is organizing Ambassadors volunteers -- see her if you want to help!

STRIVE 5K THANKS!!!!

2007-04-09T11:01:00.000-05:00

A big thank you to the Ambassadors volunteers who braved the VERY COLD, VERY WINDY conditions last Saturday to work at the Strive 5K race! No frostbite was reported, and we made about $2000 to fund the Strive Scholarships at South Campus and the ALC.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY!!

Volunteer at the Living Green Expo on the State Fairgrounds!

2007-03-29T12:09:00.000-05:00

Abby J. told us of volunteer opportunities at the Living Green Expo, to be held on the State Fairgrounds on May 5-May 7, 2007. There are LOTS of opportunities to help at this event! The web address for the Expo is http://www.livinggreen.org/index.cfm. If you want to sign up to help, read the information at http://www.livinggreen.org/volunteer.cfm and then click on the "Sign up online now" button.

Abby asked me to remind you that May 5 is Prom, so you might want to keep that in mind as you schedule your volunteering!

Upcoming Service Opportunities

2007-03-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

Here is an updated list of some service opportunities in the near future:

1. Strive 5K Race

Volunteers are needed to work at the Strive 5K race on Saturday, April 7, 2007. See Hannah F. for more details.

2. Feed My Starving Children

We are trying to organize a group of volunteers to package food for Feed My Starving Children. The only available dates and times would be on a school day from about 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. See Camila Y. if you are interested!

3. BINGO!

Jens E. is gathering volunteers to work at a social event for the seniors at the White Bear Care Center on March 31, 2007. Contact Jens if you are interested!

4. Birthday Boxes

Ms. Whitcomb told us about an opportunity to work with the National Honor Society to put together "Birthday Boxes" for less fortunate kids. These boxes should include cake mix, frosting, candles, a treat bag, a book, tissue paper and a toy or puzzle. Boxes intended for teens are particularly needed. Ellen H. volunteered to spearhead this project - see her for details!

Thanks to Rotary Fundraiser volunteers!

2007-03-12T11:25:00.000-05:00

A big THANKS to everyone who worked at the 2007 Rotary Fundraiser! Ambassadors did a fabulous job manning the coat check, registering guests, serving CHEESE CURDS, serving the dinner, and cleaning up! And, all juniors who worked at the event will get monetary credit towards the cost of our international service trip in March 2008!

Thanks everybody! Hi Ho to the Fair!

What's New!!!!!

2007-02-09T09:39:00.000-06:00

Here is a quick update on new and upcoming service projects:

1. Rotary Fundraiser Dinner - March 10, 2007

Leeza S. is organizing a team of volunteers to help as servers, coat checkers and general GOPHERS at the White Bear Lake Rotary Club Fundraiser on March 10, 2007 at the old Armory in downtown White Bear Lake. The Rotary Club will donate money to our Ambassadors club for our assistance! We will also be putting out the "tip jar" at the coat check station. Should be able to make some money for next year's international trip! See Leeza S. for details.

2. Strive Scholarship 5K - April 7, 2007

This running (and walking!) race will raise money for the Strive Scholarship program. Hannah F. is acting as the Assistant Race Director and will be gathering volunteers to help at event registration. We have a brochure promoting the race -- ask Ms. Newberg for copies if you have friends/relatives who want to enter the race, or if you know of businesses that would like to display the brochure.

3. St. Francis Animal Sanctuary - February 17, 2007

The St. Francis Animal Sanctuary will be sponsoring a Pet Adoption Day at PetSmart near Maplewood Mall on Saturday February 17, 2007 from 10:30-3:00. They need about 5 volunteers to help all of these little critters find loving homes! Brian R. is recruiting volunteers - see him if you are interested!

New Opportunities Jan 16, 2007

2007-01-16T21:04:00.000-06:00

Hello, this is what was discussed last friday
- April 20th-21st Rotary District 5960 Meeting, if you are interested in representing our club its in Owatonna.

-Jan 27th Kelsey and Brittany are working with the Moms' Retreat for the mothers of children at early childhood [Normandy Park] center. The hours are on saturday, contact brittany and kelsey if you are intrested

- March 15th 8:30 am-- if you wish to be excused from school and work at the Youth Frontiers program, we have 13 volunteers but more would alwasy be better. this years theme for the youth retreat is Courage, and if you still want to sign up contact Ms. Whitcomb.

- there is a volunteer scholarship available though Best Buy, seniors only, the deadline is febuary 15th, im sure its on the Best Buy website somewhere, but if you are a senior consider applying.

- Leeza is working on a service project March 10th on Saturday at 5:30 to work as servers for the Rotary Fundraiser dinner, servers are needed and this is a great way to raise money for our trip next spring. Contact Leeza if you are interested.

December Volunteer Oportunites as of December 8th

2006-12-14T21:44:00.000-06:00

There were four main projects discussed at the Dec. 8th meeting, and they were as follows:

Salvation Arny Bell Ringing Dec. 15th &16th
There will be three opportunities to volunteer to be a bell ringer. One on friday the 15th from 6-8 pm and the others are on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. The idea was to take two hour shifts on saturday so people woulnt be out ringing bells for four hours.

Dinner With Santa
There are two opportunites to do this, On Monday Dec. 18th from 5-9 in White Bear Lake &
Wednessday Dec. 20 from 5-9 in St.Cloud. If your intrested hotel rooms will be provided in St.Cloud as long as someone is 18 or older.

International Project
If your intrested in an international service project over spring break 2008 please contact Janet

Recycling program at south
It has been a big concern for a while that no real recycling program excists at south, so the idea is to launch a program of sorts to inform students to use the blue bins only for bottles so that we can actually recyle some. If your intrested talk to Abby.

December Volunteer Opportunities!

2006-12-01T15:43:00.000-06:00

We have LOTS of volunteer opportunities available for this busy holiday-filled month!

1. Dinner With Santa

How would you like to help some of our senior citizens enjoy some holiday cheer? Ask Joe. K. about helping out with Dinner With Santa. This event will be held in St. Cloud on December 18 and White Bear Lake on December 20. Ho! Ho! Ho!

2. Mariners at Cerenity Care Center

Jim M. made arrangements for the South Campus Mariners to sing at Cerenity Care Center in White Bear Lake on December 14, 2006. Way to go Jim!

3. Toy Donation

South Campus homerooms are gathering toys, gift cards, stockings, wrapping paper and other gifts for needy families. If you can help, please bring items to Ms. Whitcomb's room, and we will add what we gather to some of the homerooms' collections.

4. Bell Ringing

Ambassadors will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army at Festival Foods in Vadnais Heights on December 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and on December 16 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Let Ali W. know if you can help!

Thanks Meals on Wheels Volunteers!!

2006-12-01T15:37:00.000-06:00

THANKS to everyone who volunteered to package and serve meals at this year's Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels! South Campus Ambassadors had 16 volunteers who happily went without sleep and met in the South Campus parking lot at 3:30 a.m. to carpool to Cretin Derham to begin their shifts!

And, a big thanks to Lillie W. for organizing this event!

UPDATE FROM NOVEMBER 17 MEETING

2006-11-20T10:29:00.000-06:00

Ambassadors: Here's a summary of what we discussed at our meeting on November 17:

1. THANKSGIVING MEALS ON WHEELS

Lillie W. is coordinating volunteers to help package and deliver Thanksgiving meals to less fortunate families in the Twin Cities. If you can help, plan on being at the South Campus parking lot no later than 3:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. The school district will NOT be providing transportation; plan on driving yourself to Cretin Derham High School, or make arrangements with others to get a ride. We will package food from about 4:00 a.m. until about 7:00 a.m. Those who want to deliver food to needy families will receive their route assignments at about 8:00 a.m. You should be back home by mid-morning, in plenty of time to get a NAP and prepare for your own family festivities!

If you have a Hudsons Street Atlas or other map of the Twin Cities, bring it!

Please contact Lillie W. for more details. You can also call Janet Newberg at 612-810-6776.

2. SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGING

Ali W. made arrangements for the Ambassadors to ring bells for the Salvation Army at Festival Foods in Vadnais Heights (across from Target) on December 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., and on December 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Contact Ali if you want to volunteer!

3. AMBASSADORS T-SHIRTS

Albert L. is going to apply his artistic talents to designing the OFFICIAL Ambassadors t-shirt for 2006-2007! If you have any ideas for a design, contact Albert!

4. MAGIC TRICK VIDEOTAPES

A local business gave us LOTS of videotapes explaining how to perform various magic tricks. Kate P. volunteered to figure out how we can best distribute these. Call Kate P. if you want to help!

5. WARM CLOTHES FOR KIDS

Ms. Whitcomb is collecting winter coats and other outerwear for distribution to needy children. Please help!

6. PARTY!! PARTY!! PARTY!!

All work and no play makes Ambassadors a dull group! So, Jade F. has volunteered to plan a social event for our hard-working Ambassadors! If you have ideas for a fun-filled event, contact Jade!

Rotary Foreign Exchange Program

2006-10-27T17:32:00.000-05:00

How would you like to live and study in another country for a year? Rotary sponsors a youth foreign exchange program and sends kids ages 14-18 to foreign countries all over the world! You will live with host families and attend schools in your community. The White Bear Lake Rotary Club usually sponsors several outbound students each year, and brings several foreign exchange students to White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi High Schools each year as well. Many students who have travelled abroad in this Rotary program come back to say the experience changed their lives!

For more information, go to www.rotaryexchangemn.com

NEWS ON PROJECTS!!

2006-10-27T17:17:00.000-05:00

Here's the news from our 10-27-06 meeting on new and existing projects:

International Projects - We now have a group of students working to coordinate service projects in OTHER COUNTRIES! See Leeza S., Caitlin J. or Amanda K. for details. We are currently working to see if we can help gather supplies for a school in the slums of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Coats for Kids - Rats! This project has expired. Maybe next year??

Strive Scholarship Freedom 10 Mile Run - South Campus Ambassadors will be manning a water stop at this race on Sunday, November 5. The race begins at noon; volunteers should be there by 11:30 a.m. See Maikou Y. for details! And, wear your SCHOOL SPIRIT - Mahtomedi High School will be manning the other water stop, and we don't want to be outdone!

Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels - Suffering from insomnia? If so, join us VERY EARLY Thanksgiving morning to package food at Cretin Derham High School and deliver it to families in need. We will probably gather in the South Campus parking lot at 3:30 a.m. (I told you you weren't going to get much sleep!) to carpool down to Cretin Derham. You should be home by around 9:00 a.m., in time for a nap before your family holiday festivities begin. Lillie W. is in charge of rounding up volunteers - contact her if you are interested.

Dinners With Santa - These are two dinners scheduled for senior citizens during the holiday citizen. The organizer is looking for individuals willing to dress up as Santa, Mrs. Santa (or even elves!) to attend the dinner and socialize with our senior citizens! The first dinner will be December 18 in St. Cloud at the Best Western Americanna. The second dinner will be at the White Bear Country Inn on December 20. Talk to Joe. K. if you are interested in volunteering in St. Cloud, and Albert L. if you are interested in volunteering in White Bear Lake.

Music for the Holidays! Here's a special volunteer opportunity for members of the school choirs. Jim M. is organizing a group of singers to perform at one or more local nursing homes over the holiday season. Contact Jim M. if you are interested!

Casa de Esperanza - South Campus Ambassadors is one of several different groups that plan to "adopt a family" for the holidays. We will get information about a needy family, including the ages of the children, and what types of holiday gifts they might like or need. See Ali W. or Ms. Whitcomb for more information!

Update on new/existing projects

2006-10-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

After our officers election today, we had time for short updates on new or existing projects. Here's what we discussed:

East Metro Women's Council - Maddie G. reported that they are looking for assistance in one hour blocks after school. Like to work with kids? Ask Maddie G. for more details.

Coats for Kids - How would you like to face a Minnesota winter without a warm coat? Many poorer Minnesotans do. Maddie G. wants to organize a drive to collect coats for kids. See Maddie for details.

Totem Town - Please see Abby J. or Caitlin J. if you want to work along with North Campus Ambassadors helping kids at an elementary school on the east side of St. Paul.

Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen - Leeza S. is getting more details about possibly volunteering to serve meals at the Dorothy Day homeless shelter in St. Paul. See Leeza for details!

Election of Officers - The Results are IN!!

2006-10-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

Well, we've counted the ballots, found NO hanging chads, and the results are in! Here are our duly elected Officers for the South Campus Ambassadors Interact Club for 2006-2007: (drum roll please)

Co-Presidents: Amanda K. and Joe K.
Vice President: Albert L.
Secretary: Camila Y.
Treasurer: Abbie R.

Congratulations!!!

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!

2006-10-06T16:19:00.000-05:00

Several of our members have new proposals for community volunteer activities. Please contact the identified student or one of the advisors for more information:

1. Snow shovelling for the elderly -- Joe. K.

2. Soup Kitchen -- Leeza S.

3. Cell Phone Drive -- Kelsey B.

4. Salvation Army Bell-Ringing -- Kevin P.

5. Open Arms of Minnesota -- Joe K.

6. Strive Scholarship 10 Mile Race -- Maikou Y. and Peter G.

7. Coordinating international service opportunities -- Caitlin J., Amanda K. and Maikou Y.

Thanks Twin Cities Marathon Volunteers!

2006-10-06T16:15:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all of our Ambassadors volunteers at this year's Twin Cities Marathon! We worked side by side a large group from North Campus Ambassadors. Representing South Campus were Amanda K., Jim M., Albert L., Janet Newberg and her daughter Ellen D.

We had the BEST water stop in the whole marathon!

AMBASSADORS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!

2006-09-22T10:19:00.000-05:00

We will be recruiting new Ambassadors members during the lunch periods on Tuesday, September 26, Thursday, September 28 and Friday September 29. We will have a table set up in the cafeteria during the lunch periods on these days, with information about Ambassadors and a sign-up sheet. The following students have volunteered to work at the table on these days:

Lunch A -- Camila Y.
Lunch B -- Kevin P.
Lunch C -- Jim M.
Lunch D -- Joe K and Abby J.

If you can help, join us!

2006-09-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

BLANKET PROJECT

Please donate your new and gently used blankets! A local dry cleaner has offered to clean these blankets, and will then provide them to a charity for distribution to the poor. If you can help, or want more details, please contact Abby J.

2006-09-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

VOLUNTEER AT THE TWIN CITIES MARATHON!!

We will be volunteering with the North Campus Ambassadors to work at a water stop at the Twin Cities Marathon! The Marathon is Sunday, October 1 and volunteers will be needed from early morning until about 1:00 p.m. Volunteers will receive a Twin Cities Marathon t-shirt!! We need interested volunteers to register for this event as soon as possible. Please contact Amanda K. or Janet Newberg for more information.

Current volunteer opportunities

2006-09-19T17:12:00.000-05:00

It was GREAT seeing so many of you at our first meeting on Friday September 15! Here's a recap of the volunteer opportunities we identified already:

1. GOWNS - We will be gathering formal gowns to donate to less fortunate high school students. If you want to help with this project, contact Brittney W.

2. TOTEM TOWN GARDENS - Hey juniors, remember working on a project last year with that elementary school on the east side of St. Paul? It's BACK!!! Our Ambassadors will be working with some of the Ambassadors at North Campus to continue and expand this project! Our South Campus Ambassadors representative will be Abby J. See her for more details!

3. FOOD SHELF COLLECTION - Our Ambassadors will be collecting food for local food shelves this SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Festival Foods on County Road E. and East County Line. See Camila Y. to help!

4. SHOES FOR IRAQIS - Ms. Whitcomb told us that some of our soldiers in Iraq want Americans to gather shoes and get them over to Iraq for needy Iraqis. We're there! Please contact Caitlin J. if you want to help with this project.

WELCOME BACK 2006-2007 AMBASSADORS!

2006-09-06T16:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome back senior Ambassadors, and welcome to South Campus junior Ambassadors! The first meeting of the South Campus Ambassadors Interact Club will be on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 AT 7:15 A.M. in Room 100 (the FACS room). If you are interested in becoming a part of this community service club, please join us and learn more about the service opportunities and FUN you can have with a great group of students!

For more information about this club, please send me an e-mail, ask Ms. Whitcomb (FACS teacher) or seniors Joe K. or Amanda K.

Go Bears!!!

Ambassadors Team at Relay For Life!

2006-09-06T16:40:00.000-05:00

South Campus Ambassadors, under the capable leadership of Justin Martin, had a team participate in this year's Relay For Life on July 28-29. It was a BRUTALLY hot night, but our Ambassadors raised a lot of money for the American Cancer Society. Way to go Ambassadors!!!

Lettering Requirements

2006-05-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

As we come to the end of the school year, many Ambassadors have been asking about requirements for lettering. They are as follows:

25 hours of service to the school or community
1 project that is organized by yourself that serves the community/school and involves at least 5 other people helping
Attendance at 60% of the meetings
Doing a presentation at one of the meetings on a charity organization to inform other Ambassadors what the organization does, how it benefits the community/nation/world, why you picked the organization to research, etc.

At our meeting this morning, it was also announced that the last 4 meetings will be mandatory for all members to attend!

Rotary Foreign Exchange Program

2006-04-24T14:14:00.000-05:00

Emma P., the next Rotary Foreign Exchange student to attend South Campus, will arrive in Minnesota from Sweden this August! White Bear Lake Rotary is looking for Ambassadors help to make the exchange experience wonderful for our foreign visitors. Please let Janet Newberg know as soon as possible if you can help with any of the following:

1. Write a welcome letter to Emma P. on behalf of Ambassadors!
2. Put together a one paragraph description of the City of White Bear Lake, and a one paragraph description of White Bear Lake Area High School (North and South Campuses) for Rotary to send WORLD-WIDE to students in other countries potentially interested in visiting us!
3. Help plan an informal welcome party for Emma when she arrives in Minnesota in late August. Bratwurst anyone??

MAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

2006-04-24T14:05:00.000-05:00

Here are two excellent volunteer opportunities for events coming up next month:

1. Help the City of White Bear Lake plant new trees in Lakewood Hills Park (next to the YMCA) on Saturday morning, May 6 from 8:30 until about noon. I know, I know, that's Prom day, but you have plenty of time to get cleaned up after you help beautify the park! If you are willing to coordinate volunteers for this event, please contact Janet Newberg.

2. Spend some time bowling with our senior citizens at the White Bear Lake Care Center on Saturday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. The strikes and spares will be fast and furious between 1:00 and 2:30 that afternoon! If you want to help with this event, please contact Brittney W.

Ambassadors at Rotary District 5960 Conference

2006-04-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

Ambassadors Grace W., Quynh N., Ali W., Amanda K., Laurie P., Ploy J. and Kate P. had a GREAT time at the Rotary District 5960 Conference in Red Wing, Minnesota this past weekend. They met foreign exchange students from around the world, members of other Minnesota Interact clubs, and had a fun overnight at the Red Wing YMCA! Despite little sleep, they performed admirably (see photographic evidence at right!) at the conference luncheon on Saturday!

Strive Scholarship 5K

2006-04-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

The Strive Scholarship 5K race was held on Saturday morning, April 8, 2006 beginning in West Park (by the Optimists Beach) in White Bear Lake. We raised over $2000 for the Strive Scholarship program at White Bear Lake Area High School and the ALC! Way to go Ambassadors volunteers Joe K. and Kenny A.! Also, a big thanks to Ambassadors runners Justin M. and Katie P.! Their sweat is our gain!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!

2006-02-24T09:16:00.000-06:00

The school year will be over before you know it! If you haven't planned a volunteer activity yet this year, here are some ideas courtesy of Justin M.:

1. Shoveling driveways (if we get more snow!)
2. PBS Television
3. Adopt-a-Highway
4. St. Anne's
5. Raking Leaves and spring yard clean-up
6. Second Harvest Heartland
7. Toy Drive
8. Adopt-a-Family
9. Senior Center
10. Adopt-a-Soldier
11. Homeless Sleep-Out
12. Extended Day help at elementary schools
13. Pennies for Patients
14. Nail painting for seniors - WBL Care Center
15. Bingo with seniors - WBL Care Center
16. WBL Clean-up with Rotary and the VFW
17. Food Drive
18. Relay for Life
19. Loaves and Fishes
20. Meals on Wheels
22. Ride for MS
23. Adopt-a-Waterway
24. Assorted Rotary/Interact opportunities throughout the year!

2006-02-17T08:48:00.000-06:00

Sign-up for the Rotary Interact e-Newsletter!

Would you like to receive a monthly e-mail informing you of the latest Interact developments? Would you like information and resources to enhance your Interact program? Sign up for the Interact e-Newsletter! You may register via the Interact section of the Rotary International Web site at http://www.rotary.org/programs/interact/index.html. Simply click "register" at the right side of the page. Note that when you register, you will be asked what Rotary District our club is in. We are in District 5960. Thanks!

2006-02-10T08:54:00.000-06:00

WARM UP AMERICA FOUNDATION

Please knit or crochet as many 7" by 9" sections as you can. In 2 weeks, Ashley W. will collect them at the Friday Ambassadors meeting. Each section is worth 1/2 hour of volunteer time, for a maximum of 3 hours of credited volunteer time (although you can certainly continue making sections if you want!). The recommended needle size is 7 to 10-1/2 if you are knitting. TIP: Cut out a 7" by 9" piece of cardboard to help guide you.
Questions? Contact Ashley W. or Ms. Childers.

Coffeehouse Benefit Concert

2006-02-03T15:18:00.000-06:00

The Sister City Coffeehouse Benefit Concert will be held Friday, February 24, 2006 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The event will take place at South Campus in the cafeteria. All proceeds of this event go to "White Bear Lake Adopt-A-City" to aid teens that have been displaced from Hurricane Rita and relocated to the town of Sulphur, LA.

Auditions for the musical portion of the event are taking place Thursday, Feb. 9 & Friday, Feb. 10 in the South Campus Theatre 2:45-4 pm. Audition forms should be returned to the office by Monday, Feb. 6.

We need Ambassadors to help with many aspects of this project. There is a sign-up sheet in Ms. Childers' room (room 330) for each activity that we need help with. Listen to the morning announcements for after school meetings! Contact Kate P. or Ms. Childers if you want to help (either before or during the event).

White Bear Lake Rotary Fundraiser Dinner

2006-01-31T19:29:00.000-06:00

The Rotary Fundraiser dinner will be held Saturday, March 4, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Armory in downtown White Bear Lake. We need Ambassadors help decorating the Armory, serving the dinners, and handling the coat check. All proceeds of this event go to fund the charitable activities of White Bear Lake Rotary. Contact Maikou Y. if you want to help serve dinners, or Kate P. if you can help with the decorations.

2006-01-31T19:12:00.000-06:00

Who IS this bear, and why has he come out of hibernation???

Welcome to our Blog!

2006-01-31T18:49:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our new blog, South Campus Ambassadors! Ms. Childers and I will use this site to keep you up to date on upcoming volunteer opportunities. We will also upload photos of Ambassadors activites - once you all have your signed media release forms in!

If you post to this blog, PLEASE REMEMBER not to identify yourself by full name, e-mail address, telephone number, or with any other specific information that may tend to reveal your identity. Information posted on this blog is available to anyone on the Internet. If you need more information about a specific upcoming event or activity, you can always send an e-mail directly to me, Ms. Childers or one of our Club Officers.

Janet Newberg