Aiming for a Snow Angels World Record. Can They Do It?

Let It Snow

It's a new year, and with it comes the popular tradition of New Year resolutions. I was asked by at least a couple of folks what my resolutions were for 2013 and I replied that I don't do resolutions. I make goals.

As a young person it seems like whenever I made resolutions I would beat myself up when I failed. The self-inflicted wounds from guilt and failure were administered pretty mercilessly sometimes, though apparently I survived.

Based on lists of the most popular resolutions, many people look to this passing from one year to the next as a prod to do what they know they should have been doing all along. Drink less. Quit smoking. Get fit. Get a better education. Get a better job. Manage stress better. Manage money better. Volunteer more. Reuse, recycle. To which I would add, floss regularly.

They're all good. But if you fail to work these into your lifestyle, don't wait till 2014 to make another stab at it.

On a related topic, what are your goals for 2013? If you're here in the Northland, do you have any plans for February 9? Would you like to help a group of people try to set a Guinness Book World Record for charity? Here are the details.

It's called Angels for a Cause and is being put on by the Rotary of Duluth Club 25 in partnership with the Proctor High School DECA program. Hopefully everyone will find a place to park as the selected location is the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

According to the press release, the gates will open at 9:30 a.m. with the making of snow angels to start promptly at 11:00 a.m. Their aim is to get 9,000 people to simultaneously make a snow angel. That will be quite an achievement, and they're talking as if this is really going to happen.

Rotary 25 and DECA are asking for a donation of $5 per person or $10 per family to participate in this event which aims to use the money for Global Team for Local Initiatives, an organization that supports the indigenous peoples of Ethiopia affected by climiate change. They expect to raise $28,000 for projects related to water, sanitation, hygiene, income generation and functional adult literacy.

Crystal Taylor, who spearheaded last summer's flash mob that made for a lively lunch hour interruption during Duluth's sidewalk days, said “We are excited to partner with students from Proctor DECA to host this extreme event for such an amazing, global cause. Our club hopes to see the entire community at this exciting, one-of-a-kind event.” Taylor is public relations committee chair for Rotary of Duluth Club 25.

Evidently they're pulling out all the stops to make this event a real happening. According to the story, "the fundraiser will include entertainment, treats and fun activities for all ages." And the usual assembly of civic-minded local celebrity guests as well including Dan Hanger, Anchor at FOX 21 News, and Kevin Jacobsen, Anchor at Northlands NewsCenter as emcees, honorary guests Mayor Don Ness, St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin, Senator Roger Reinert and City Councilors, Dan Hartman and Emily Larson whose joint role will be to facilitate the countdown at start of the event.

To purchase tickets and learn more visit Make Your Mark and the Make your Mark: Angels for a Cause Facebook page.

As an added bonus, attendees who purchase a ticket online prior to the event will be eligible to win $1,000.00 cash. The winner will be selected randomly on day of event.