They are also bloggers, and my sister Allison’s Wonderland blog has a post about me that I thought I’d call your attention to.  She understands me well.

The post is here.  Comment, and return often.  You’ll be well repaid.

I just sent this email to my manager

MaryAnne-

I have an idea that I need your help with.� I want to work for free.� Not all the time,
but a shift here or there, maybe once a year, maybe more.� When I go to the grocery store
and they’re asking for donations for Primary Children’s� my response is always,” I
work there, I think I donate enough” but the fact of the matter is that I don’t feel
like I donate enough.� The economy is bad (this isn’t news to anyone) healthcare is
prohibitively expensive (again, not news) but here I am with a good job that (I hope) I’m
not in danger of losing, and I have insurance and .. well, I’m really blessed.� So I want
to give back.

I certainly could donate a few bucks at the grocery store, but the fact of the matter is
that I have more time than I do money, and even if I didn’t I want to do more.� I’m a
good reader, I could volunteer to read to kids, or hold hands, or wipe snotty noses but
the fact is that I have a skill (how skilled I actually am is a matter for a later
debate) both my time and my skills are valuable so why not donate them?

What’s more, I don’t think I’m the only one who does, or would feel this way.� I’d like
to try to put some sort of mechanism in place for myself and for others who would be
willing to donate their time and their skills.

I know that there are certain logistical and legal implications involved in working for
free so I’m asking for your help to get the ball rolling.� I understand that as a manager
you probably can’t publicize or encourage this kind of thing (you certainly can’t ask
your employees to work for free) but I’m not in charge of anyone, I can.� I don’t need
your encouragement but I’d like your help, if only just to point me in the right
direction and tell me who I need to talk to.

Thanks- Al

I’m holding you personally responsible.�

And when I need the encouragement that I disdained from my manager (and I’m pretty sure
that I will because even though letting me do this is pretty much a no brainer for
humans, the blood sucking fiends who run IHC are not human, and I anticipate
difficulties), and when I need help with the PR, you know who I’m coming to.� Because
let’s face it, that’s really what you do best.

Love from the workshop-Al

http://alisonwonderland.wordpress.com/

Please go to her blog and tell her she’s amazing.  She deserves it.