It’s Not Just the Same Cafe

Featured on episodes of the Today Show, MSNBC Nightly, and so many other television news segments, the SAME Cafe, in Denver, Colorado is inspiring lots of good will. What makes this cafe different, and not the “same” as all others, is in its name; SAME stands for “So All May Eat”.

Owners, Brad and Libby, after having volunteered at soup kitchens, realized that all people deserved a choice to eat healthy, organic foods, but soup kitchen patrons did not have that choice or the budget. Soon, they opened SAME Cafe, where they serve soups, salads, and artisan pizzas in exchange for cash donations or a few hours of work. What is amazing is not just how this cafe’s business model is constructed, but how it has inspired large demographics across the social board to dine together and help one another. Affluent patrons are seated next to people who may have walked over from a local shelter and enjoying the same fare. This must warm hearts on cold Denver days. If it warms yours, and you feel so inspired, you can donate to their cause by visiting their website.

I hope this inspires to do the same elsewhere in our country…anybody here in Santa Monica feel inspired? I’ll help!

Relay for Life – Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of www.relayforlife.org/relay/

What an amazing experience! This past weekend, I had the honor of participating in Santa Monica’s Relay for Life, benefiting the American Cancer Society. It is a relay walk that spans 24 hours, with walkers representing their teams on the track for every minute of the 24 hours, since “cancer never sleeps.” This year’s event participants raised $97,000. We have until August 31 to raise the additional $3000 to meet Santa Monica’s goal of $100,000.

I had so much fun being a part of the activities planning committee, which meant making sure that all of the participants and their families had fun games to participate in. It seemed that everybody there was able to join in the fun of potato sack races, the obstacle course, tug-of-war, flag football, volleyball, veggie relay race, disco dance, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and so much more! It was so amazing to be a part of a community event such as this, where thousands of locals come together and share how they have been affected and mentally strengthened by cancer, want to help find a cure, and take the time to educate their children about the importance of helping the community and taking care of their own health.

The tradition luminaria at 9 pm was a remembrance and commemoration of loved ones who had been lost and the amazing survivors. At that time, all lights were flipped off and the glow of hundreds of singly lit luminaries lit up the track.

Photo courtesy of www.relayforlife.org.

At that time the hundreds of participants walked on the track with only the sound of Amazing Grace played by a single bag piper, who lead a procession around the track to honor every person who had been touched by cancer.

Photo courtesy of www.relayforlife.org

Throughout the 24 hours, everybody in attendance were encouraged to make a Fight Back pledge. This pledge is a personal commitment that we make to “fight back” against cancer. I pledge to educate and encourage action in the people around me in using healthy diet, exercise, organic living, and mindful action to prevent cancer.

What is your pledge?