Hello friends!  It is the time of year when a lot of us start to ask ourselves how we can make a concrete difference in our community.  Maybe we start thinking about where we can volunteer after the holidays, or we give financial gifts to our favorite groups.  I know that all the nonprofits say this, but let me just jump on the bandwagon and suggest that Bluestem would be a great place for you to direct your attentions.  As a start-up nonprofit, your donations and time go a LONG way.  We notice and appreciate every single person who steps up to make this happen.  We have a lot of needs, but that means we have a lot of opportunities for you to get involved!  And here’s the beauty of being a volunteer or donor with us - YOU get to set the terms of your commitment.  You do not need to dedicate your life and soul to this project (I’ve already done that) - we just need what you can give, when you can give it.  Great, you say.  I’m in!  How can I help?

Fundraisers

We have two exciting fundraisers coming up in December.  We know that your budgets are probably tight this time of year - mine is - so we tried to make our fundraisers things that will be useful to you this season. 

First, on December 10, come join us at Barnes and Noble at 5150 O St. - we get 10% of all sales that mention our bookfair.  I’m from a family of book lovers myself, and I do a LOT of shopping at Barnes and Noble anyway in December.  If this is you, consider doing that shopping at our sale!  We will also be offering gift wrapping at the sale, so that you can cross that off your to-do list!  Here’s the best thing about the sale: if you aren’t in Lincoln, you can still participate.  If you prefer online shopping, you can use our book fair code from December 10-15 at checkout for us to get credit for your sale.  Or you can go to ANY BARNES AND NOBLE IN THE COUNTRY on December 10 and give them our book fair code - we will still get credit for your purchase!  Our code is 11976487.

Also in December, we have partnered with Cultiva Coffee for an amazing fundraiser.  As a coffee junkie myself, this is extremely exciting to me.  Now through December 19, you can order an 8 oz bag of Bluestem Brew on Cultiva’s website, and it will be available for you to pick up between December 21-24.  For those of you who don’t know, Cultiva makes the best coffee in Lincoln, and I’m pretty sure that this is not just my opinion, but a verifiable fact.  They roast their coffee right here in town - Bluestem Brew will be roasted on Monday the 19th, and ready to pick up on Wednesday.  It just doesn’t get better!  We are so grateful that they have offered to do this fundraiser with us right in time for you to get your own holiday coffee (I know I like to have something a little special on Christmas morning), and for you to gift to friends and family.  Coffee is right for just about everyone.  Got someone who has too much stuff in their life?  Coffee.  Foodie?  Coffee.  Stressed out teacher?  Coffee.  Parent?  Coffee.   

Volunteer Opportunities Survey

Beyond fundraisers, we also recognize that a lot of you are looking for concrete ways to participate in the founding of Bluestem.  I’ll be honest; I have struggled with knowing who to ask for what.  Then last week I came up with a totally obvious solution.  I mean, so obvious I’m pretty embarrassed I didn't come up with it sooner.  Here’s the deal:  I have made a handy-dandy survey.  I tried to make it quick to fill out and easy for you to do on your phone while you wait to pick up the kids from school/wait in the Starbucks drive-thru lane.  In it, I ask a simple question: how can you best support Bluestem?  Please take the time to fill this out.  It should help me be more directed in asking for help - if I can go to the right person I won’t bug all of you all the time. 

As always, if you have ideas for how to support us, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I love to hear from you all. 

Until next time,

Laura