Stonie Serves Up a Life-Changing Lunch

Chefs for Charity

Each month, a One Smooth Stone team member hosts a “Chefs for Charity” lunch. The host cooks lunch and then everyone donates the money they would typically spend going out for lunch to the charity of the chef’s choosing. The impact of these special lunches is made even greater by the Foundation of One Smooth Stone (www.onesmoothstone.com/foundation/) matching the donations dollar for dollar!

This month Kimberly Medaglia (Vice President) chose “The H Foundation” (www.goombaybash.com/) as the recipient of all proceeds. Her grade school friend, John Rot, started this charitable organization with other business owners from the LaGrange, IL area after two of his co-workers passed away from cancer. All monies raised by The H Foundation go directly to Basic Science Cancer Research which allows scientists to pursue novel ideas for earlier detection of cancer. In 8 years, they have raised nearly $2.5 million, including over $500,000 in 2008 alone.

Strategic partners, clients and members of the H Foundation joined our luncheon to raise money and awareness. Kimberly’s homecooked meal for 30 people filled the tables and countertops of our kitchen with tapenade, white bean spread, chicken salad, pasta salad, salmon salad, cheese plates with fruit… and to top it all off - decadent coconut and chocolate cupcakes. Over $600 dollars will be donated as a result!!

Gathering friends and family close to us, reaching out to help those in need, and eating good food. Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Consider hosting a Chefs for Charity at your office!!

Digging in to the delicious lunch!*

Kimberly with The H Foundation co-founders David Rizner, Dan Chopp, & John Rot and H Foundation volunteer event planner, Julie Jandris

*photographs courtesy of Anne Vlk (http://annevlkphotography.com/)

Wedding in the Family...

One of our Stonies got hitched on April 18th!

Bethany Veerman is now Bethany Johnson.

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Johnson: JUST MARRIED!

And lovin' it!

Who knew Brian would later regale us with an air guitar concert while spinning on his back?

Kimberly & Brian Medaglia, Jessica Cuthbert

After eating a spinach salad, this was the best smile Brad could offer...

Kevin Olsen, Lisa & Brad Zulke

Aren't weddings romantic?

Kevin & Stephanie Selig

Clint, haven't you worked quite a few One Smooth Stone "events"?

Anne Vlk, Clint (the DJ) & Gary Vlk

One Smooth Stone in Uganda…

We recently returned from producing an event in Uganda for Opportunity International. Opportunity International provides microloans to impoverished people, enabling them to start their own businesses and discover a stable income source. The CEOs of Opportunity’s banks from around the world gathered to share their vision and align strategy for reaching the poor.

One Smooth Stone’s role was to manage the production and content of the general session, ensuring that the production ran smoothly and messages were aligned. I sat down with producers Gary Vlk (Executive Vice President) and Mark Ledogar (Vice President) to discuss the unique experiences in producing and event in Africa.

BETHANY: What preparations did you make before you left for Uganda?

MARK: We bought a lot of bug spray and made sure we were fully vaccinated! We also carefully planned what production gear to travel with to make sure we were fully prepared for every possible scenario (while not exceeding the airline luggage weight limit).

BETHANY: How did you help Opportunity International attain its goals for this 4-day conference?

GARY: We enabled them to really focus on what was important and strategic. While we took responsibility for what was happening in the ballroom, our key client and the writer were able to spend time outside our ballroom with CEOs and leaders, fostering relationships.

BETHANY: What was one of the challenges you faced?

MARK: Rationing the resources we often take for granted…things like paper, ink cartridges, and electrical converters. These are usually easy to get when we’re in the States, but we had a limited supply in Africa. There was no Office Depot down the street!

BETHANY: What was your biggest surprise while you were there?

MARK: I was surprised by how real the poverty and difficult the living conditions are in central Africa. It’s one thing to see it on TV, but it’s something completely different to see and experience it face-to-face.

BETHANY: What was a personal highlight?

GARY: One day, we got off-property and met a tour guide who took us on a boat ride on the Nile. We experienced the culture and talked to locals to find out what day-to-day life was like. We saw first-hand the impact Opportunity International was making in people’s lives….our guide was actually a recipient of Opportunity International micro-loans and runs his own viable business!

BETHANY: What is the lasting impact this experience has made?

GARY: Since my return, I’ve been inspired to begin planning a trip back to Africa. This time, I hope to take my family to reach impoverished children in Zambia.

MARK: Events are a lot more than lights, sound and hotel ballrooms. Meetings have the power to change lives.

BETHANY: Thanks to both of you for sharing your experiences with our blog readers!

Photo Highlights from Uganda

An African choir performs at the general session

Mark and Gary with a local Opportunity International staff member who served as general session MC

Some of the local wildlife!