For two years now, we have delivered quilts, handmade cards and teddy bears to a VA Hospital, concurrent with Netroots Nation. Last year, we added knitted or crocheted hats and scarves to the gift, along with books and games.
Here is a diary about our delivery to the Detroit VA Hospital. We had quite a display in the NN14 exhibit hall!
It was a cool project because people from different groups at DKos contributed -- the military families group, the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, and the Readers & Book Lovers.
This year, Ann and I are not going to Phoenix, so we are going to organize the DK VA Hospital Support project around the VA Hospital here in Portland, OR. And the project doesn't have to be concurrent with Netroots Nation this time. Actually, we were thinking a long weekend anywhere from late August to early October would be lovely -- and it could be a meet up that folks from out of town might want to join, as what the Brits would call a "mini break" holiday. We can organize a tour or two for everyone, and perhaps a lunch or dinner to which we will invite the Governor or a Senator to speak -- but otherwise leave people to socialize as they will. In other words, we are envisioning something that would be 80% social, one afternoon at the VA Hospital, one dinner opportunity to interact with a Pacific Northwest politician or two, and the rest of the time spent with friends in our fair Portlandia. What do you think?
Just a few of the many things to see hereabouts:
Awesome waterfalls
Columbia River
petroglyphs by the Columbia River
Saturday Market
Powell's Books
Plus, you may have heard this is a foodie town... The rumors are true!
Please share your thoughts on this idea. And take the poll! Vote for the best time to hold this shindig.
As always, make yourself comfortable at the kitchen table. Share your day, your weekend plans, and your menus!
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Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
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