Hello Boys and Girls!

It is Iditarod Season.  The mushers and their dogs have been training for a long time.  They are ready to race to Nome!  With sled bags almost packed and supplies waiting for them in checkpoints, with hopes, dreams, and plans in place, mushers will soon be heading to the starting line.  The race starts on Saturday, March 7.   The restart is on the following day, Sunday, March 8.  The race will end when the last musher reaches Nome.  Get ready for an exciting race, a race full of challenges big and small.

The Iditarod is a time of great challenges, challenges big and small.  Meeting challenges along the trail, the mushers race to Nome.

I’ve got a challenge for you.

Have you ever thought about what you can do to help make the world a better place?  I’m sure if you sit down and come up with a brain stormed list, you can discover lots of ideas about things you and your classmates can do to in your own communities.

My challenge to you, Boys and Girls, is to come up with a class project in your own community. Get involved.  Learn what it is like to help with a community project and take pride in your efforts.  Discover the results of working on a project.  Take pride in your accomplishments.

Here is one idea:  Animal shelters are always in need of supplies.   Gypsy, Sanka, Libby, and I have a special challenge for those of you who are interested in helping the pets in your communities to stay healthy.  Research about your local shelter.  Invite someone from the shelter to visit your classroom so you can learn more about the shelter.  Discover what their special needs are and how you can help.  Put a plan in action.

When your project is done, write to us and tell us what you did and why you did it.  You can even send us a  picture and we’ll put the picture and your story on the website.

We’ll send you a certificate thanking you for being involved in the 2009 Iditarod Community Challenge.

Don’t just sit there, friends!  Get your thinking caps on and come up with a project, any project that you want.

Just think what a wonderful world this can be if each of us  were to get involved in helping others—  in helping human or K-9 friends!

We can’t wait to hear about your projects!  Join our challenge!  Start your project on or before the start of the race and see if you can finish it before the last musher reaches Nome!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma