Author Archives: Reed Sandridge

Day 129: Meg

Posted on May 9, 2015 | Leave a comment

I’m very fortunate to be able to work with a diverse group of organizations. One of my favorite is Meridian International Center. I had the pleasure of working with eight fantastic Social Innovation Fellows from Europe last week.

Day 129

Meg,

Thank you for inviting me to work with the Meridian Social Innovation Fellows last week – they were great! I think both sessions went very well and I’d be curious to hear about any feedback you received from the Fellows. Storytelling Day 129-2is such an important part of creating new ideas and organizations – let me know if I can be of any help in the future on other programs that you are working on.

Thanks again & talk to you soon,
Reed

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Day 128: Dale & Leslie

Posted on May 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

Dale grew up a few blocks away from both houses I lived in in Mechanicsburg, PA. We went to the same schools and played on the same baseball team. After graduation, we went separate ways and I lost contact with Dale. Then came Facebook and we were in touch – well sorta. Facebook is kind of a pseudo connection.

Day 128-2

My thank you note in front of a print that I bid on and won at the auction. That’s the Georgetown harbor in 1865.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to get a Facebook message from Dale on Tuesday asking if I was free on Thursday – he had a few extra invitations to a charity fundraiser in DC – two blocks from my apartment no less.

It was a lot of fun. The event was nice, I got to meet Dale’s wife Leslie, his boss Mr. Bunn, and hang out with another high school friend, Justin. I’m thankful that Dale reached out – it was a great night and I enjoyed spending time with old friends.

Day 128

Dale and Leslie,

It was great to spend time with you on Thursday – the gala was a lot of fun. Thanks for thinking of me and extending the invitation to join you. I get back to Mechanicsburg a couple of times a year – it would be great to get together on one of those visits.

Thanks again!
Reed

P.S. Please pass on my thanks to Mr. Bunn as well.

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Day 127: María

Posted on May 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

Day 127-2I met María in 1998 when I was sent to Madrid on a business trip. Working for my company as a public relations manager, María was one of my favorite colleagues.

Now 17 years later we remain in touch. She occasionally goes to New York and we tried to meet up last year, but it didn’t work. And I’ve been talking to my Dad about traveling to Spain – a place that he says that he’d like to visit. But that hasn’t happened yet. Maybe this year will prove successful.

Today is her birthday – Feliz cumpleaños María!

Day 127

(translated from Spanish)

Dear María,

Happy birthday! I hope that you have a wonderful day. If I’m not mistaken, we’ve been friends now for 17 year. I’m sorry that I’m so terrible at writing – that’s part of the reason I started the Year of Letters, to be better at maintaining contact with the people that are important in my life.

I hope that this year we are able to get together – either NYC or Madrid?

A big hug,
Reed

 

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Day 126: Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op

Posted on May 6, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: Jane Cave

Photo: Jane Cave

I serve on the Board of Directors of Street Sense – a media group in DC whose mission it is to elevate voices on the issue of homelessness while giving economic opportunities to the men and women in DC experiencing homelessness.

Last week they had the premier of Cinema From The Street – a collection of films produced by the Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op. Led by local filmmaker Bryan Bello, the group not only shared their stories but learned the ins and outs of filmmaking. The films were terrific – and if you are in DC you’ll want to mark August 26th on your calendar when they release the next group of their films.

To learn more about the Filmmakers Co-op or buy tickets to the August event, click here.

Day 126

Dear members of the Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op, 

Day 126-2Congratulations on your first film screening! And while I enjoyed all three films, I’m arguably more moved by the larger impact of your work. I look forward to seeing how you take the knowledge of what you are learning in the Co-op and apply it in new and creative ways.

Thank you for sharing your stories, I look forward to seeing you at the next screening on August 26th.

-Reed Sandridge

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Day 125: Anonymous letter left at Washington, D.C. Trader Joe’s

Posted on May 5, 2015 | Leave a comment
I placed the letter under a package of the sinfully delicious TJ's ice cream sandwiches.

I placed the letter under a package of the sinfully delicious TJ’s ice cream sandwiches.

Trader Joe’s is a strange but wonderful grocery store. On one hand, I get frustrated with them due to their limited selection. But just when I’m starting to take my business elsewhere I find some really awesome product. Or one of their quirky employees will make my day. I think that’s really what wins me over, the people. They actually seem happy there.

I left an anonymous letter with a five dollar bill at the Trader Joe’s in the West End neighborhood of DC today. I placed it under a box of Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are amazing and a crew member there once told me that they saved her marriage on more than one occasion. Ok, so that might be a stretch, but I figured if they could bring some happiness to someone, I’d like to make that happen.

By the way, if you’re a fan of TJ’s, check out my letter on Day 31 to Trader Joe’s CEO Dan Bane.

Day 125

Hey there!

I see you are checking out the Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches. They’re delicious and appropriately named. I bought them the first time on a recommendation from a TJ’s team member who said that they had saved her marriage – more than once! They’re on me today. Enjoy.

 

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