AMANDA IN ACTION
Stay up to date on Amanda's campaign events, community conversations, and volunteer activities.
Flags for Fort Snelling
Dating back to her middle school years, my daughter, Audrey, and I have spent the Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend volunteering as Headstone Ushers with Flags for Fort Snelling. Flags for Fort Snelling is an all-volunteer organization dedicating to ensuring that every veteran's headstone at Fort Snelling National Cemetery is honored with an American flag. After a 4:00 a.m. wake up call, Audrey and I report for duty by 5:30 a.m. and oversee an assigned section of the cemetery, performing quality checks to confirm that every headstone in our section has received a flag and that each flag is securely placed to withstand our Minnesota weather. Watching the cemetery transform is an awe inspiring reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served our country.
Freedom Day Festival
For the third year in a row, a dedicated group of local volunteers organized the Vadnais Heights Freedom Day Festival, a community celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the day Union troops arrived in Galveston to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and secure the freedom of the last enslaved Black Americans.
This year's celebration featured a community meal, live music, dancing, double-dutch jump roping, and a History Center exhibit. More than just an event, it was a joyful reminder of what is possible when neighbors come together to learn from one another, celebrate our shared humanity, and build a stronger community for everyone.
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Special Olympics USA
Calling All Champions!
This year, Minneapolis had the honor of hosting the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, bringing together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from all 50 states.
I was fortunate to be one of those 10,000 volunteers, spending a day as a Court Assistant during the Women's Bocce competition. Throughout the day, I witnessed incredible determination, sportsmanship, and joy. There were cheers, tears, and finger-gun celebrations as athletes competed, supported one another, and celebrated their accomplishments.
It was a powerful reminder that sports are about so much more than winning. They build confidence, create connections, and bring communities together.
Fourth of July
I hope everyone had a wonderful long holiday weekend and found a meaningful way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
One of our family's favorite traditions is catching a game of America's favorite pastime. This year, we made it to the first few innings - before being thunder stormed out! - of the St. Paul Saints vs. Buffalo Bisons game at CHS Field.
For our family, accessibility isn't a "nice to have." It's a necessity. That's one of the many reasons CHS Field is our favorite sports venue.
Accessibility benefits all of us by creating spaces where everyone can participate, connect, and make memories.
Happy Fourth!
Filing Day
It's official! As of 8am this morning, I've filed my campaign for White Bear Lake Area School Board. I'm running in part because I believe we have an obligation to give of our time, talent, and treasure to our communities. I hold that belief because of the example set by my grandmother, Arlene McFarlane. Growing up, we watched her rush from one volunteer commitment to the next. As a teenager, I told her she didn't have to volunteer for ALL the things. She told me that "if I can help, I'm going to help." Those words shape the person I am today.
Grandma also had a fondness for $2 bills. So, in her honor, I paid my $2 filing fee this morning with a $2 bill.
Launch Party
After filing our affidavits of candidacy, we officially kicked off our campaigns with a Launch Party!
It was truly humbling to see so many members of our community show up in support. Your encouragement, kind words, and willingness to get involved remind me why I decided to run. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and to everyone who has supported this campaign so far.
This campaign is about our community and our schools, and I'm excited for the conversations and connections still to come. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Door Knocking Kick-off
After our Launch Party, we officially kicked off our first door-knocking session!
One of the most important parts of this campaign is listening. As we go door to door, we're having conversations with residents about the issues that matter most to them and hearing their ideas for the future of our schools and community.
If you'd like to join us and help have these conversations, we'd love to have you on the team. And if you'd like to share your thoughts but we haven't knocked on your door yet, please reach out. I'd love the opportunity to hear what's important to you.
Night to Unite
On the first Tuesday in August, communities across the country come together for Night to Unite to build bonds, foster safe neighborhoods, and strengthen connections between neighbors.
The MVP of the MVPS were happy to join Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Night to Unite and share in the joy of community! We enjoyed live music, bingo, bounce houses, and, of course, I even left with a bag of mini donuts.
It’s nights like these that remind us that strong communities are built by showing up, connecting with one another, and having a little fun along the way!
The Wall That Heals
White Bear Township was selected as one of 31 communities to host The Wall That Heals, a traveling ¾-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
I was grateful for the opportunity to assist visitors at the Wall and witness the many moments of remembrance, reflection, and connection that took place there.
58,281. That’s the number of names on the Memorial.
It’s also 58,281 stories. To everyone who came to the Wall and shared their story: thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your memories, and for giving so freely of your time and your stories.
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Elections in Minnesota run almost entirely on groups of dedicated volunteers who arrive at polling stations at 5:30am and do not leave until 9:00pm. For those counting at home, that's a 15.5 hour day!
A mix of political parties, volunteers are a truly nonpartisan effort to ensure every eligible voter in their assigned precinct has the opportunity to cast their vote in elections.
I'm proud to have been one of these volunteers for the past 10 years and look forward to seeing our little election judge volunteer group twice a year.
Kemps Little Farm Hands with the White Bear Lake Area Speech Team
Last spring I ran across a request for volunteers to help our White Bear Lake Speech Team host their 2nd Annual Bear Claw Speech Invitational on Nextdoor. For once, I actually had a Saturday morning open so I responded and was able to help serve breakfast, snacks and lunch to the teachers and staff of visiting schools. (Shout out to the person who thought of bear claw donuts for breakfast! They were a big hit!) I was also able to catch a handful of speeches from the students. To say I was blown away is an understatement. These kids are going places!
But that volunteer shift put me on the list of family and friends of the WBL Speech Team - which meant I was able to work a shift at the State Fair in the Kemps Little Farm Hands exhibit. I got a free ticket to the State Fair and the Speech Team got travel funds for their season.
Keep an eye out - you never know when an opportunity to jump in and help will present itself.
White Bear Lake Area Educator Foundation's The Closet
WBLAEF's The Closet has opened for the 2026-2027 school year. It provides clothing and outerwear to district families. It's also a great reminder that our schools are a community and as a community we take care of each other.
If you're looking for an easy and flexible way to support our schools, I can't speak highly enough of this opportunity.
(Please note that this post in no way implies any type of endorsement. I've simply found this a rewarding way in my personal life to give back to our community and am only passing on the information.)
