Children's Hospital "HOT Unit" Family Locker Room - The Langer Group, LTD, TLG Research, Inc. and Aura Analytics are co-sponsoring the development of a special locker room space for families, and are actively looking for other sponsors to join with us. Rather than sending cash or toys as we have in the past, a family close to us whose child has been treated for cancer at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI noted that many of these kids have ongoing treatments that require families to come back and forth. Parents will typically want to stay with the kids, meaning they are forever hauling air mattresses and supplies in for a day or two, then breaking down "camp" just to bring it all back again. The locker room would provide lockers to store these types of items while treatment continues. It's a very practical and needed way to support these families as they deal with treatment and care for their children with cancer and other serious illnesses. Let me know if you are aware of others who may wish to participate... We can use cash to help buy the lockers... The plans are coming together now with a target to complete in 2011. We do have a remodeler... Fangmann Remodeling (one of our clients) who has volunteered to assist with construction, though we're not sure yet what the facility will require.

Our first-ever Holiday Open House and Blood Drive was an overwhelming success. To see so many people help, so many people give of themselves and their time to come save lives... and the great staff from the Wisconsin BloodCenter do their thing... it is amazing to know that people are there for others when they need them.

Dale Carnegie used to say that we always get far more than we give when we give to others... please know that because of your combined efforts, many people will get to be dads and moms, brothers and sisters, children... you name it... this holiday week that may well have died without this blood. It is the first and last part of the equation when saving the life of someone in need. The greatest physician in the world cannot heal someone who cannot receive a life sustaining blood transfusion.

And, I also know that many others were with us "in spirit", but due to illness, trips away from home and other reasons were not able to participate. We also appreciate your support and thoughts, and look forward to possibly seeing you next year.

Special thanks to Sheila Baker and our great management company (Hoffman) who arranged with the building owners (1011 Building LLC) to use a suite of empty offices... to Kopp's on Bluemound and Mortensen Photography who provided terrific gifts for all the participants... McBob's, Tres Locos and others who supported the drive... our team here who helped move furniture and get everything set up and torn down, answer the phones, make treats and more. To everyone, thank you!

Finally, to the entire Langer Group team, who each year forego a Christmas party, and to our clients who put up with our cheesy emails for Christmas rather than nice cards... thank you! As a result, we were able to present a sizable check on behalf of all of you and in your name to further blood and organ transplant research at the Wisconsin BloodCenter today. We made it very clear to the BloodCenter that without our terrific clients and team, it would not be possible. If you'd like to donate in the future, call 1-800-BE A HERO.

As a follow-up, our first ever MACC Fund event raised over $1000... and our tally to date for the PDSA 5K Run Walk is over $8000! These are great opportunities for small businesses like ours to make a large impact in our communities... and fulfill our corporate vision... To be of SERVICE to our client, our communities and each other... with Humility, Integrity and Simplicity

Healthy Eating - Tom Langer has been communicating with low sodium cookbook and website author Donald Gazzaniga as we put together new ideas, new recipes and more contacts for you. His website is found at www.megaheart.com. Don has a very interesting story he shares at the site. Watch for more information on our upcoming Healthy ExecCamp™ by The Langer Group, LTD...a day-long workshop for business owners and others involved in small business. We'll have speakers, demonstrations, Q&A periods and more. Couples are welcome to attend. Watch your email.