“One person can make a difference in the world.  In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about.  So be that one person. ”

― Richard Buckminster Fuller

Helping others is the surest way to warm your heart.  Even the smallest act of kindness can ripple out far beyond one’s imagination.

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        June 8, 2014 (server was down yesterday):  Done deal.  Rudy slept in his own bed last night, after moving a year’s worth of stuff from bed to floor.   He hasn’t gotten up yet (10:00 AM), so I’d guess he’s reading.  On Friday, the last night, the press conference was fun, the goofing around even better, and the intense rain?  Well, it was a perfect metaphor for the challenges Rudy — and so many others — have faced over the past year.  

       We will leave the fund raiser open through the end of June, so if you’ve been thinking about donating, there is still time.  Thank you so much for your donations, support, and encouragement.   Hearts of gold, all of you.  Remember that one person can indeed make a difference in the world.  In fact, we all do.  We can’t help it.  The question is, “What is the nature of that difference?”  There are so many ways, both large and small, to be the difference you wish to see in the world.           — Rudy’s Dad

 

Hello everyone, my name is Rudy Hummel.

I have a personal goal to sleep outside for a year to help make sure people and animals can have the homes they need.

When I started sleeping outside last June, it was because I like challenging myself.   I love camping with my family and Boy Scout Troop (including winter camping), so it seemed natural that I’d want to spend a whole year out there.  I knew I could do it.  I started in a tree platform in the backyard.

Temperatures dropped, as did snow, and I built myself a quinzhee (snow cave) to sleep in. In December, an idea struck me.  Would people pledge money for each night I slept outside? Like pledging for miles run, or laps swum?

I thought about what’s important to me, like the outdoors. I also thought about how many people have to sleep outside all the time, without sleeping bags or warm clothing.  At first glance, these don’t seem very well connected, but to me they are.  Caring for people is important, and so is caring for the environment that sustains us.  Treating nature well is treating each other well, both now, and for generations yet to come.  It’s our habitat, too.   We all live on this planet together. I chose Habitat for Humanity  because it sets a wonderful example of caring for people.  It’s an organization that builds houses for people who are homeless.  (Donations made through this website are tallied under Snore Outdoors.) I chose Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory because it connects people to nature and helps them understand why we need to care for it.  It’s a local Duluth nonprofit organization that I was introduced to when my mom volunteered there.  She now works as the Education Director, and together we helped raise money for Hawk Ridge at the 2012 Birdathon.  It’s a great organization that focuses on migratory bird research and environmental education. And that’s how Snore Outdoors for a Better World was born.  Some kids from my school’s National Honor Society program stepped up to help, and we’re going to do our best to make a difference in the world.  You can help, too.  To learn more, click the logos or links above.

“One person can make a difference in the world.

So be that one person. ”

        ― Richard Buckminster Fuller