We met Jan back in December of 2008 through the KLTY Christmas Wish program. Jan has battled serious health issues and financial setbacks, all while working on a social degree so that she could share her life’s experience and make a difference in the lives of others.

Jan did not stop — she persevered through it all and graduated with Honors. We are so proud of Jan and her tremendous accomplishment, and pleased that we could play a small part.

Kelsey was recognized as 2009 Teammate of the Year for her hard work and extended hours of market research that generated insightful thought-leadership and made the planning department shine. Everett was awarded the 2009 Firehouse MVP for his art direction and production of impactful TV for our two largest clients, Interstate Batteries & Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Thanks to both of them for their smart work that resulted in great things for our clients’ business. Yay Firehouse!!!

Bolaven Farms is a Fair Trade Organic coffee farm founded by Sam Say, a Lao native now living in Hong Kong. About four years ago Sam was moved to do something for his native homeland. Laos is a very poor country with 85% of the residents being rural farmers. When Sam wanted to make a difference in the lives of the Lao people, he knew where he would have to go. So he decided to provide the farmers on the Bolaven Plateau with training in organic farming techniques and financial assistance. At the end of a two-year training program, resident farmers are eligible for loans to purchase seven-acre family farms and become self-sustaining. It is an inspiring vision that our church and Firehouse have been supporting for over a year.

As I found out, the farm is not easy to get to. All told, it took 36 hours to get from Dallas to our hotel in Pakxong, Laos — some 30 minutes from the farm. During our four days in Laos, our group was able to work on the farm alongside the resident farmers and gain an appreciation for the working poor of the world. The labor on the farm is the way it has been done for centuries, mostly by hand. We experienced a small taste of the daily drudgery of the manual labor as we cleared weeds and planted coffee seedlings — it was a humbling experience. We have already made plans to go back to the farm in November 2013 for the first harvest of the coffee beans from the seedlings we planted. I really just hope the plants are alive in 2013.

We also spent some great time with Sam during the week, as he shared his vision for the farm and his efforts to change the lives of the people. He showed us the other facets of the operation, including future plans for a dairy goat farm at a separate location and a Bolaven Farms café (serving the coffee, along with fresh fruits and vegetables raised on the farm) in urban Pakse, Laos. We even had some time for a little tourism. We were able to take some time to go and see a few of the beautiful waterfalls the country is famous for — some amazing sights.

Bolaven Farms is a testament to impact that one person can have on a community, or a village in this case, and hopefully an entire country. I was inspired to think the way Sam does — about giving back and making a difference. I am also grateful to Firehouse for the Difference Days I was able to use to make the trip a reality.

Last Thursday, something bigger than words can describe started here at Firehouse. It’s an initiative born out of Mark’s belief that big ideas can make a difference, and that the power of prayer is, well, powerful – and can be life changing.

Anna Basso is a 16-year-old girl who lives in Dallas and whose family also lives next door to Mark – they have been neighbors for 10 years. She’s been battling Stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) since November 2009 and has a tough fight ahead.

Anna has become an inspiration to us all, and while she is getting terrific medical care, it’s going to take more than that to help her win this fight.

To encourage Anna in her battle against cancer, the agency set a lofty goal of getting one million prayers for her. It all comes together at http://www.1millionprayers.com, where friends, family and even strangers are pledging to pray for Anna and sending their collective goodwill her way.

Please join us in supporting this amazing young woman, day in and day out. A special time has been set aside every day to pray – 12:12 p.m. This time is a direct reference to Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Anna can really feel the strength of each individual behind her.

Pledge to pray for Anna on the website (1millionprayers.com), and help us spread the word via Facebook and Twitter (#1million4anna).

This news clip does a great job of telling the story of the 1 Million 4 Anna project, with footage from a party we hosted for Anna on April 22.

The Snowpocolypse 2010 left but a skeleton crew at the office this morning. Not ones to waste such an opportunity, it was decided that the only reasonable course of action was to have me put on 10 t-shirts and practice my Shaka Dance.

Behold:

Working closely with DLF’s cooks (many of which were once on the other side of the serving lines), we each manned a station. I served the corn bread, which was a very popular item—when seconds were served, we were out of corn bread since no one had passed it up the first time around! But the hour ended well and the diners left full. We were impressed at how efficient that hour was—DLF’s cooks prepared (and Firehouse helped serve) food for over 200 people!

Hairnets aside, the Firehouse account team left in good spirits as well. We may have even found a new side dish for the next agency potluck—Greg’s special rice and baked bean combo! We look forward to sharing more community experiences here this year, in fact, coming up Firehouse is giving all employees a day off work to serve in the community.

Enjoy more pictures on Flickr.

Look for the 60-second spot on ESPN during the second commercial break at approximately 7:13 p.m. (Thank you Firehouse media planning.) Here’s a sneak preview if you just can’t wait or are fearful that sleep may set-in after a day full of turkey: Interstate Batteries on YouTube

CBS 11 here in Dallas featured Silver in a segment on the “Movember” fundraising effort that has men everywhere growing a ’stache to raise money to fight prostate and testicular cancer. Great cause… unfortunately, not-so-great look on most guys.

Check out the full segment here -
www.cbs11tv.com

And if you feel so inclined, you can donate to the Firehouse team of Mo Bros here – www.movember.com

But can it cure cancer?

Probably not, but it can help raise cancer awareness and some much needed $$ for the cause.

We are about ½ way through the month of “Movember” and our Mo Bros here at Firehouse are doing their best to raise awareness about men’s health — particularly prostate and testicular cancer — via some truly epic ‘staches in the making. The “mos” are coming out, some faster than others, changing the faces of the men we work with daily.

Enjoy these baby-face pics taken on November 1 — all were clean-shaven and ready to grow and flow their mos. We’ll keep you posted as November 30 comes to a wrap, so that you too can witness the creative stylings of our Firehouse Mo Bros.

To support the Firehouse team, visit our agency page here: www.movember.com.

Respect the mo, support the cause.