Hi, this is Eagan Funfest Ambassador Katherine Wilmes. Being an ambassador has been such an honor and I know it will continue to be the time of my life. Although it has been a few weeks since our last event, the countless smiles we have shared surely make up for lost time.
About a month ago, we got to be a part of Eagan Streets Alive. Streets Alive is sort if like a mini carnival in Eagan! I wasn't very familiar with this event at first, but, being involved with it was a blast! We enjoyed informing others on the Funfest and the ambassador program. As ambassadors, we also posed for pictures with little ones. Dressing the kids up in crowns and silly costumes was such great fun. A huge thank you to Mary Gilbert for staying with us, smile and all, in the frigid wind and taking the awesome pictures.
We also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Can Do Canines graduation. When I arrived early to help with parking, I was very excited to learn about Can Do Canines. Shivering with excitement in the crisp wind, we helped people park who were attending the graduation. After volunteering, we came into the graduation building covered with doggy decorations right down to the cute bone diplomas. One very generous and kind man from Can Do Canines brought us steamy hot cocoa. Sipping on our smooth as silk cocoa, we didn't simply watch the graduation- we experienced it. I learned about so many diverse people with such beautiful personalities. Also, I learned how their lives have truly been changed by these humble assist dogs. The stories were inspiring, the people were so deserving, and even the dogs tails were wagging! While diving head-first into cake after the ceremony, we met a man named Dave. He had a little trouble speaking verbally, taking gasps of breath between phrases. "Navey Davey" sometimes found it easier to communicate through ASL, but I couldn't understand him. However, Ashlyn, an ambassador, impressed us all with her sign language abilities. We all eventually learned how to proudly sign our own names using ASL. We also learned that Dave was writing a book. It was a great experience to connect with him as well as everyone at Can Do Canines. I learned that I should appreciate not only what I have but also the loving and generous people around me, because we truly are all amazing in our own ways. A good friend taught me to always greet people with a warm smile and an open heart, and I have learned that this is one of the best and most important things you can ever do.
Thank you to everyone who has made this truly amazing experience possible for me. Being an Ambassador has impacted my life so much, and I can't wait until our next event. I cannot be grateful enough for these priceless experiences.
Sincerely,
Katherine Wilmes
Eagan Funfest Ambassador 2013-2014
