Category Archives: Congratulations

Day 133: Alex

Posted on May 13, 2015 | Leave a comment
A photo from my Eagle Scout Banquet, May 12, 1990. From left to right: my grandmother and Alex's great grandmother Virginia Sandridge, Scout Leader Don Stevens (I think), me, my grandfather and Alex's great grandfather Paul Sandridge. Photo: Ryan Sandridge

A photo from my Eagle Scout Banquet, May 12, 1990. From left to right: my grandmother and Alex’s great-grandmother Virginia Sandridge, Scout Leader Don Stevens (I think), me, my grandfather and Alex’s great-grandfather Paul Sandridge. Photo: Ryan Sandridge

Twenty-six years ago yesterday I was presented with the Eagle Scout Award – the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. I don’t think about that day very often, but I do think about how being an Eagle Scout has affected my life.

Professionally, I found myself in leadership roles at a young age. It seemed to come naturally to me. Outside of the office, I was driven toward ways to engage with my community. My training and experiences in scouting surely had an impact on my life.

Doug, Alex and me taking a break durin Alex's Eagle Scout Project in Goochland County, VA. Photo: Ryan Sandridge

Doug, Alex and me taking a break during Alex’s Eagle Scout Project in Goochland County, VA. Photo: Ryan Sandridge

This Sunday my cousin Doug’s son Alex, I think that makes him my cousin once removed, will receive his Eagle Scout Award. I wanted to attend the ceremony in Colorado, but I’ll be traveling for work unfortunately.

I was thankful that I got to participate in his Eagle Scout Project where he revitalized a historic family cemetery outside of Richmond, VA that was in dire need of repair and maintenance.

Congratulations Alex!

Day 133

Dear Alex,

eagle scout awardCongratulations on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. I am very sorry that I cannot be with you this Sunday at your Eagle Banquet.

Sunday you will join an elite group – only five percent of those who join scouting, and one tenth of one percent of all young men your age achieve the rank of Eagle. You are truly outstanding. I encourage you to continue to apply the skills and knowledge you have attained to improve the community in which you live and help those around you. Be the one who steps forward to lead and create the good you want to see the world.

I’m extremely proud of you.

Your cousin and fellow Eagle Scout,
Jason

P.S. I have a small gift for you that you will receive in the coming weeks.

Leave a comment

Posted in Congratulations

Tagged , , , , , ,

Day 131: Howard Schultz, Starbucks

Posted on May 11, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: Starbucks.com

Photo: Starbucks.com

Wow, it’s easy to get behind on posting to the blog. Don’t worry though…the letters are still going out, at least one a day.

Today I’m sharing my letter to Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz. You may recall a few months ago the coffee giant launched an initiative called Race Together. The results were mixed at best (I’m being kind – it received some very strong criticism), but I commend Mr. Schultz and Starbucks for taking the risk.

Day 131-2

Dear Howard,

About two months ago, Starbucks launched the Race Together initiative. While I know that the results were not what you hoped for, I want to congratulate you for being bold enough to take on this topic. From his jail cell in Birmingham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” Thank you for breaking the silence.

Coffee shops have their roots in bringing people together for conversation. You attempted to help facilitate a dialogue that we desperately need. While Baltimore and Ferguson are easy to focus on, we need not look further than our own neighborhoods to see that we still have a long way to go to improve racial harmony in our country.

I generally hold disdain for corporate leaders who use their status to further agendas that fall outside of their stated responsibilities to shareholders, but when the issues are as paramount and universal as race, equality or conservation – I feel it is not only your right, but your duty to help bring people together, break down discriminatory practices and operate in a sustainable manner.

Keep up the good work and let me know what I can do to help.

Best,
Reed

P.S. I wrote this letter to you over a doppio espresso at the Starbucks at Connecticut and R in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Leave a comment

Posted in Congratulations

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Day 126: Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op

Posted on May 6, 2015 | Leave a comment
Photo: Jane Cave

Photo: Jane Cave

I serve on the Board of Directors of Street Sense – a media group in DC whose mission it is to elevate voices on the issue of homelessness while giving economic opportunities to the men and women in DC experiencing homelessness.

Last week they had the premier of Cinema From The Street – a collection of films produced by the Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op. Led by local filmmaker Bryan Bello, the group not only shared their stories but learned the ins and outs of filmmaking. The films were terrific – and if you are in DC you’ll want to mark August 26th on your calendar when they release the next group of their films.

To learn more about the Filmmakers Co-op or buy tickets to the August event, click here.

Day 126

Dear members of the Street Sense Filmmakers Co-op, 

Day 126-2Congratulations on your first film screening! And while I enjoyed all three films, I’m arguably more moved by the larger impact of your work. I look forward to seeing how you take the knowledge of what you are learning in the Co-op and apply it in new and creative ways.

Thank you for sharing your stories, I look forward to seeing you at the next screening on August 26th.

-Reed Sandridge

Leave a comment

Posted in Congratulations

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Day 114: Clint Robinson, Washington Nationals

Posted on April 24, 2015 | 1 comment
Photo: minorleagueball.com

Photo: minorleagueball.com

One of the great stories this Spring Training was that of Clint Robinson. The 30-year-old has spent his professional baseball career playing for a variety of minor league organizations. The Nationals invited him to Spring Training with the hopes of making the 25 man roster and what do you know, he made it! It’s the kind of story that makes you want to support those who have worked so hard for so many years for this moment. Clint earned it and I’m excited to watch him play this year.

Now if I could just get Clint to come out and help my softball team with our hitting. Bryce Harper joined us a few years ago – so it could happen!

Let’s go Nats!

Day 114

Dear Clint,

Congratulations on making the Nationals roster this year. I know that you have worked very hard to get here and I’ve enjoyed watching you play. That triple you hit off of Porcello deep to center in Boston was beautiful.

Day 114-2I’m intrigued about your bat collection. I am a bit of a collector myself – not of bats (although I wouldn’t be opposed to collecting bats) but of items that tell a great story. Speaking of stories, I heard that you have some miracle bat that you are carrying around that hasn’t broke in over two months of use. That sounds like a record probably for you – you hit the ball pretty hard.

Anyway, I’m excited to cheer for you this year. I’m a huge Nats fan and want to welcome you to our city and wish you a great season – and many more to come. Good luck tonight against the Marlins.

Reed Sandridge
(@ReedSandridge)

P.S. I read that your wife Samantha is expecting. Congratulations to you both. Enjoy this special moment in your life.

 

1 Comment

Posted in Congratulations

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Day 103: Danielle, Glen’s Garden Market

Posted on April 14, 2015 | Leave a comment
Cheers to Glen's on their 2nd Anniversary!

Cheers to Glen’s on their 2nd Anniversary!

Two years ago today Glen’s Garden Market opened up in my neighborhood. The space was the previous home of the “Secret Safeway” – named for the fact that it was tucked away and nobody knew it was there. Two years later Glen’s seems to have been here for decades. Strange.

Danielle, who hails from a family of grocers, left her job on Capitol Hill doing environmental policy work, to open a market that focuses on products sourced from within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. It’s a big change from the halls of congress – but here Danielle gets to play a pivotal role in changing consumer behavior at dining room table.

I’m thrilled to share today’s letter with Danielle which I wrote here at Glen’s last night – happy two-year anniversary neighbor!

Day 103 Danielle

Dear Danielle,

Congratulations on your second anniversary. As someone who lives just two blocks away I was extremely happy when Glen’s came to the neighborhood. It’s only been two years but Glen’s seems like it’s been there forever. It doesn’t seem to matter when I stop in there is always a healthy amount of customers either shopping for fresh produce from local farms, enjoying a cup of coffee or delicious pint of local beer (love that they’re $4!) or picking up one of your mouth-watering sandwiches – I usually get the Billy’s Bison.

Day 103 Danielle-2I hope I can join you on Saturday – I see you’ll be celebrating your anniversary and Earth Day – I’ll toast to that!

Cheers,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I also very much appreciated your support of Street Sense in our 2013 Gala – you were very generous. Thanks again.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Birthdays, Congratulations

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,