What an AMAZING day we had as we celebrated our 5th Anniversary of bringing SPUD to Nanaimo. It was a beautiful day and we had so many people helping out. Talk about SPUDS!! We had over 300 pounds of SPUDS and there were at least 200 people there to help celebrate our amazing carrot cake (we even had them decorate the cake with potatoes!) Lots of clothing and sleeping bags that were donated were also appreciated by those in need.
A big round of applause to all that attended to serve: Molly Obrien, Kim Maybee, Gord Woodward, Leanne and Owen (the Baconator) Raines, Capt. Ed McDonald, Wendy Bazsant, Dave and “ Tanner the Spanner” Robinson, Glenn and Leslee Smith, Susan Westcott, Trevor Avendor, CASS, Isobel Pearsall, Ianna and Emlyn Folkes, Nanace Roach, Tiffany Halman, Linda Isham, Liz Laird, Marie Morgan, Evelyn Provost, Madelyn Lockstad, Sue Osterman, Kate Peterson, and Ev Schmidt.
Thank you to the Nanaimo August 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
Thanks to all that came and helped out in our August 16th SPUD in downtown Nanaimo. We had a lot of appreciative people come and join us this month and many were really happy to receive bottled water to drink on a hot day. We ran out of SPUDS at about 1pm but there were a lot given out. We served about 150 people 200 pounds of potatoes!! Thanks again to Dave and Jamie Robinson, Marshall, Chelsea and Narissa Young, Ed McDonald, Ev Schmidt, Chris Reeves and Leanne and Owen (the Baconator) Raines. Thanks! YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! - Ev We are looking for many volunteers next month for SPUD Patrol - see you there!
 The SPUD Count: This month - We served 200 SPUDS with all the fixins
to about 150 people!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo JULY 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
It was another BEAUTIFUL day for SPUD in downtown Nanaimo!! We sure had alot of people helping, and eating this month. Thanks to everyone for their generosity!! We have bacon bits for the next YEAR!! Also lots of butter left over for next month. We even had some green onions to take to the Sally Ann! Some are taking SPUDS home with them and having 3 and 4 during our visit. Many have not eaten since the day before. Thanks also to all who brought bottled water. We don't realize how easy it is for us to turn the tap on and have a drink, but where do you go for a glass of water when it's hot and you live on the street? A Big thank you to Wendy Bazant, Liz Laird, Kate and Steen Peterson, Ed McDonald, Anna Wessell, Camila Surita, Narissa Young, Linda, Owen and Leanne Raines, Chris Reeves and Lynn Haley.
The SPUD Count: This month - We served 150 pounds of SPUDS with all the fixins
to about 120 people!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo JUNE 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
Hello All and thanks to those who came out and served some piping hot SPUDS in JUNE. It was a great day and lots of people came to help out and to eat. We served about 80 pounds of Spuds to about 50 people. We sure are getting lots of clothing as well. Thanks to all those that donated clothing this month that could not make it on Saturday. Thanks to to that served: Liz Laird, Dave Robinson, Stella Lima, Rajah Temple, Wendi Bazant, Capt. Ed McDonald and Anna, Blake, Ev Schmidt and Declain Wessell.
The SPUD Count: This month - About 50 people were served about 80 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo MAY 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
Thanks to all that came out for SPUD Patrol for the May Long Weekend! There weren't that many of us, but those that came sure had a good time!! There were a lot of people eating!! We ran out of SPUDS at about 1pm. We did the best with what we had and mostly EVERYONE that wanted a potato received one!! Lots of clothing went ti new homes as well! There were approximately 80 people there and about 100 pounds of yummy SPUDs were served! Many thanks to Liz Laird, Stella Lima, Pauline Shewaga, Linda Isham, Lyn Haley, and Ev Schmidt.
The SPUD Count: This month - About 80 people were served
about 100 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo APRIL 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
Thanks to those that braved the 13 inches of SNOW that descended upon us for our April 08 Spud!! What a shocker...glad it was already melting by the time we were serving up some piping hot potatoes! Some people did get stuck and couldn't make it...but for those that did...we sure had FUN! Thanks to Liz Laird, Melissa, Leanne and Owen (the Baconater) Rains, Kerry and Linda Isham, Roy Jeglum, Pauline Shewaga, Miroslov Kolar, and Ev Schmidt who served up 80 pounds of spuds to about 50 people. KNOW that you do make a difference! See you next month...Ev
The SPUD Count: This month - About 50 people were served about 80 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo MARCH 2008 VOLUNTEERS:
Hello all SPUD-ders! Thanks to those that came out for our March SPUD Patrol. It was a sunny day and we had lots of helpers, lots of new clothing and lots of people eating SPUDS! People were asking "how come our SPUDS are soooo tasty?" The answer is "They are made with LOVE!!!" We had about 120 people eating and about 140 pounds of SPUDS. Thanks to those also that made Easter special and brought down Easter goodies! See you all next month! Remember, YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Thanks for your support... Hugs, Ev
The SPUD Count: This month - About 120 people were served! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo DECEMBER 2007 VOLUNTEERS:
Our Christmas Spud was an AMAZING DAY! We joined forces with Ilan from the Thirsty Camel (who opened his doors and fed ALL from noon till 4pm) We had some awesome food from Organic Squash Soup/Lentil to falafel pitas/various salads and even BAKLAVA for desert!! Thanks again Ilan for a GREAT DAY! They even brought soup across the street where we were set up serving SPUDS and other goodies like mandarin oranges, fresh baked cookies, and candy canes. We had the luxury of a two store front business that is being used as a gallery right now...and volunteers came and set up the whole place like a store, complete with clothing racks and tables by item! WOW...what an experience! People from all walks of town and life...just kept on coming in and bringing warm clothing, sleeping bags, warm socks and hats. Many donated to the gift bags that were put together to hand out by EDAS (Everybody Deserves a Smile) a group new to town that are working with students from some of the high schools in Nanaimo. Thanks to all the bags that were handed out on the street and and also those that were left at the store for SPUDDERS! There were so many people that donated and came to help out for this special SPUD that there are too many to list!! I am going to send out a huge THANK YOU to all that donated their time, their talent and their treasure to this worthy cause that allows us to connect with these Unrecognized Devas we might not get the opportunity to connect with otherwise! We served about 200 pounds of potatoes and took a whole cooler full to the Salvation Army as extras. We had a lot of people come through the Store that day...probably over 200 people!! Thanks to all the volunteers and thanks to our Spudders for another successful year! All the best to you in 2008!! - Ev Schmidt
"A human being is part of the whole, called by us the Universe; a part limited by time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical illusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task is to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature, and its beauty." ~ Albert Einstein
The SPUD Count: This month - Over 200 people were served.
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Thank you to the Nanaimo OCTOBER 2007 VOLUNTEERS:
It was another GREAT SPUD here in Nanaimo. The month of October saw TWO SPUD PATROL days...one was our 4th Anniversary!! We had cake and lots of goodies. There were a lot of people both eating and serving. At least 200 pounds of potatoes and 130 people eating! The second one we served up about 140 pounds of piping hot spuds (loaded) to about 70 people. This month's SPUDDERS: William and Judith Munns, Linda and Carrie Isham, Liz Laird, Bev Horne, Elise Mayar and Kristine Booth, Sharron Bertchild, Harvey Jenkins, Wendy Bazant, Threena Howes, Diane Verhiel, Deb Palmer, Mayra Buaiz, Bill Robinson, Dave and Jamie Robinson, Pauline Schewaga, Jefferson Salazar (from Costa Rica!) Stella Lima, Luce Carrier, Karin Scheiber, Barbara Davidson, Madeline Lockstead, Sue Osterman, Carol Gagne and Ev Schmidt...also anyone else that I may have missed!!
YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Thanks for your support... Hugs, Ev
The SPUD Count: This month - About 200 people were served over 340 pounds of potatoes - each a meal in itself!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo SUMMER 2007 VOLUNTEERS:
We have been having a GREAT SUMMER in Nanaimo and lots of people coming out to help AND to eat those AMAZING baked potatoes that we are serving! The last Spud we did in July we served about 75 pounds of piping hot potatoes, fruit, and granola bars to about 100 people. Many are coming back for 2nds and 3rds! It seems like the numbers grow all the time. What a heart opening experience this is for me and for all those that volunteer. A GREAT experience for kids too! Many thanks to July volunteers: Stella Lima, Pat and Denise Hogue, Bev Horne, William Munns, Shawn, Niall, and Erin Jensen, Jim and Maeve, Carole Franke, Randy Dickson, Pauline Shewaga and Ev Schmidt.
The SPUD Count: This month - About 100 people were served over 75 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo MARCH, APRIL,& MAY 2007 VOLUNTEERS:
Thanks to all those that came out for our Spring SPUDS...and abundant DUDs! We had lots of fun, with lots of helpers...and lots of people eating and sharing! It was GREAT to see so many volunteers arriving to help out! Please know YOU make a difference!
The SPUD Count: Is always counting...so bring lots of spuds each month!!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo January 2007 VOLUNTEERS:
Thanks to all those that came out for our January SPUD. It was a GREAT DAY! We had a substantial amount of money left over from our "Holidays With Heart"Turkey Drive this year, so we bought a 13 sleeping bags and some socks and flannel shirts to hand out. There were also quite a few prezzies left over so those were gratefully accepted by our monthly visitors! Lots of clothing was distributed. We served about 90 pounds of spuds!! We had about 100 people join us...and more and more volunteers are coming as well...Nanaimo is really showing how big it's heart is! Many thanks to Sue Osterman, Madeline Lockstand, Dory Miller, Luce Carrier, Michelle and Angus Ross, William Munns, Lora Johnston, Meridith Miller, Crystal Ruel, Nolan Graham, Marilyn and Guy Frith, Dave Robinson, Stella Lima and Dan, Bill Bestwick, Amanda Karyssa and Kerry Mills, and Linda Isham. I hope I didn't miss anyone that contributed or was there to help! Please know that YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
The SPUD Count: This month - About 100 people were served over 90 pounds of potatoes!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo DECEMBER 2006 VOLUNTEERS:
Despite the drizzle during our Christmas Spud...we still managed to feed a lot or people...probably over 150 this time! Candy canes and mandarin oranges were the added treat for desert. 50 people received Turkey dinner, delivered to their home for Christmas Day, along with some awesome gift bags!! The community really stepped up to the plate for Christmas...we cooked 7 turkeys with all the fixin's. The money left over will go for some new sleeping bags for the next SPUD, as well as gifts for those that did not get on the dinner list! It was a fun day. We served 150 people probably 100 pounds of potatoes. Every single last one of them went!!
Thanks to those that came out this month...Cindy, Christin, and Nicke Avender, Linda Isham, Carry, Meg, Reg, Iris Gadd, Dory Miller, Merideth, Sherry and Ella Ginace, Lillin Frank, Andrea, Chris, Sharah and Georgia Lundy, Rosie Dauk, Guy Frith, Elena Collins, Susan, John, Reilley and Max Webster, Ev Schmidt and anyone that I forgot to mention (as my page was sopping wet) for a GREAT DAY!!I want to thank you all for braving the elements that many live in 24/7. Know that YOU make a difference! REMINDER: The cold weather is now upon us, so if you have warm clothes, blankets, shoes or socks, please bring them to the Winter SPUD PATROLS. Thank you! - Evelyn Schmidt
The SPUD Count: This month - About 150 people were served over 100 pounds of potatoes!
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Thank you to the Nanaimo NOVEMBER 2006 VOLUNTEERS:
 November was one of the BEST SPUDS EVER!! It was one of the few times in 3 years that it was POURING WITH RAIN and blowing a gale...what a TEAM WE HAD!!
AMAZING! Lots of clothing....TONS OF SPUDS AND FIXIN'S! Thanks to Shawn and Andrea for arranging a tent to stand under and have a bit of a reprieve from the torrents! Dave set up a tarp to put the clothing under...and it was a GREAT DAY!! The rain did keep away some people from coming...but those that did...were treated to a piping HOT SPUD with all the fixin's!! Many are taking them home loaded or to friends that can't make it down. Lots of clothing and blankets went too. Estimates are that there are about 150 people living on the street in Nanaimo. Thanks to those that came out this month...Dave and Jamie Robinson, Liz Laird, Stella and Don, Julia Sheffield, Dave and Janice, Lorraine, Shawn Andrea and family, Narissa, Lynn Redford, Bill Bestwick, Carlos Sperling, Dave Isham, Marting Mills, Sheryle Ginace, Melanie Haug, Suzan Briggs, Lillian Jones, Gladys Johansen, Trinty and Jack, Rosie Dauk, Angela and Cooper Teunis, and Ev Schmidt....Excuse anyone that I forgot to mention... I want to thank you all for braving the elements that many live in 24/7. Know that YOU make a difference!
The SPUD Count: This month - About 60 people were served over 80 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo OCTOBER 2006 VOLUNTEERS:
This was our 3rd Anniversary SPUD PATROL. It was FANTASTIC!!
We had so many people helping, and eating and playing!! The sun was a shining...we had a huge carrot cake with potatoes on it! We had Aunti Bobbi there making balloons with the kids! Lots of SPUDS and LOTS OF DUDS and LOTS OF FUN! What a DAY!
Many thanks to those that came out to help: William Munns, Liz Laird, Dave and Jamie Robinson, Les and Lindsay Melbon, Valma Brenton, Rosie Dauk, Lynda Isham, Kerri, Martin, Karyssa and Amanda Mills, Franscoise Moulin, Monica Rush, Kelsey Milne, Leanne Robbins, Kate and Ev Schmidt...AND Aunti BOBBI !! who was a BIG HIT with all the kids AND many of the adults! Thanks to you all...You do make a difference!
The SPUD Count: This month - About 150 people were served over 140 pounds of potatoes! |
Thank you to the Nanaimo JUNE 2005 VOLUNTEERS:
We had a wonderful day for SPUD...sun and beautiful weather graced our day once again! We started out a bit slow and then...well...we had a GREAT TIME!Nanaimo served about 40 people SPUDS. We had about 70 pounds of SPUDS and took our left-overs to the Sally Ann where they were gladly received. Our clothing stores are getting up there again with the help of the Food Bank and also Lance and Deborah who donated extra clothing and Spuds this month as well.
Liz brought a huge container of ice water and that was a welcome sight for some people that were thirsty too! Thanks Liz...GREAT IDEA!Thanks to Spudders William and Judith Munns, Liz and Rocky Van Wier Pat and Denise Hogue, Pat Lebedovich and anyone else who we may have forgotten to thank!
KNOW THAT YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! - Evelyn Schmidt
The SPUD Count: This month - About 70 lbs spuds served to 40 people |
