&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Want to see me sport a hair net?  Then keep reading.  I will always embarrass myself for a good cause. </strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Last week, I highlighted an angel that walks amongst us in the post for Playdate #45.  <a href="http://puppybellydeli.com/?page_id=195" target="_blank"><strong>Shelly of Puppy Belly Deli donates 100% of her profits to animal rescue. </strong> </a>She feeds starving animals.

&nbsp;

For Playdate #46, I worked with a team of angels who feed starving children around the world.  You can learn more about the efforts of Feed My Starving Children at <a href="http://www.fmsc.org/" target="_blank"><strong>http://www.fmsc.org/.</strong></a>

&nbsp;

My colleagues from Noble Publishing Superpower and I signed up to volunteer together.  FMSC is probably the most organized volunteer event that I have ever attended.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>In fact, if you Google "Efficient", Feed My Starving Children comes up 1st in the page rankings.  Yes, they are <em>that efficient!
</em></strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

AND . . . . They make your 2 hours of volunteer time FUN!  Jokes, cheers, and great music are all part of the experience.  It's practically a volunteer party!

&nbsp;

I know what you're thinking.  Where do I sign up, Michelle?

&nbsp;

I'm so glad you asked.  Go<a href="http://www.fmsc.org/page.aspx?pid=465" target="_blank"><strong> here. </strong> </a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Here's what you can expect when you arrive at the event:</strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

You will watch a poignant video featuring formerly malnourished children who have been given a chance to thrive due to the efforts of good people like you.  The children share their hopes and dreams with you.  Note to selves:  Take Kleenex!

&nbsp;

You will then wash your hands and don a stylish hair net for sanitary purposes.  Women, chill.  If I can broadcast my hair-netted mug over the Interwebs, then you can rock yours amongst a sequestered group of volunteers.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_11663" align="alignnone" width="574"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11663" rel="attachment wp-att-11663"><img class=" wp-image-11663  " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB140004-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="574" height="430" /></a> Hair nets. They're all the rage this season.[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The perky FMSC employees will take you through the drill of packing the food in an engaging and upbeat fashion.  It's a bit pep rally-esque.  Don't stand there like a wallflower.  Shout out loud and proud right along with them!

&nbsp;

You'll note a loooooonnnnnnggggg list of steps relayed to the team during this pseudo-pep rally.  Don't worry.  The person next to you is (hopefully) paying better attention while your mind wanders and wonders over <em>how on earth</em> you will <em>possibly</em> remember all these steps that are coming at you in a fast and furious fashion.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>And you're off!  You and your team will put together MobilePacks which are scientifically designed to restore children from malnutrition to health.  MobilePacks consist of rice, soy, veggies, and chicken.</strong></span>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Each team member will station themselves at a particular task.  You might choose to begin with the chicken and veggies.  After about an hour, you'll feel a repetitive strain injury coming on.  You'll develop a greater sense of compassion for factory workers.  You can also nostalgically chuckle along with your teammates by noting that this whole assembly line thing is very <a href="http://www.skooldays.com/categories/primetime/pt1060.htm" target="_blank"><strong><em>Laverne &amp; Shirley.</em></strong> </a>

&nbsp;

You will not complain about your fatigue as your discomfort is nothing compared to the discomfort of a starving child.  You will simply switch places with a team member.  You can do this several times throughout the process.

&nbsp;

If you need to sit, there is a job for you.

&nbsp;

If you need to move around, there is a job for you, too.

&nbsp;

Your efforts will pay off.  Big time.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_11664" align="alignnone" width="574"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11664" rel="attachment wp-att-11664"><img class=" wp-image-11664" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB140006-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="574" height="430" /></a> That's 33 kids for a year!!! (Not 33 meals. 33 KIDS x 365 DAYS!!!)[/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

You will leave having made a difference.

&nbsp;

You can even sample a MobilePack meal on the way out!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_11665" align="alignnone" width="574"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11665" rel="attachment wp-att-11665"><img class=" wp-image-11665" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB140007-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="574" height="430" /></a> Surprisingly tasty![/caption]

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I can almost guarantee that as you depart, you will make a mental note to never ever use the phrase "I'm starving" again.  You now realize that "I'm hungry" will suffice.

&nbsp;

If you'd like to see the FMSC experience in action, then please take a few moments to watch the video below.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nZV7SAkkM-E" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;