So... To challenge myself and to make good on all those times I said, "I'd like to give back.", I joined other local developers for the C4C (Coders 4 Charities) http://coders4charities.org event last weekend.
What a Blast!!!
I can't say I was expecting the experience I had, but I can say that I'm glad I participated. I teamed up with some outstanding developers and wish I could work with these guys (and gal) everyday. Not only were there great personalities on my team, but Tim, the charity representative for Boyscout Troop 813 was inspiring. Had I known him as a younger lad I would probably have been a boyscout. The combination of a good cause, great people, and a lot of caffeine made it easy to enjoy the experience. Also I learned a lot about Sharepoint and Silverlight, which was a nice bonus. Anytime I can walk away wiser and smarter I'm all for it.
There was no shortage of food and beverages. Before you could get hungry there was something being delivered. And more soda than I drank in the last year!
After all of the work was done, (I use that term "work" loosely. It hardly feels like you're working when you having such a good time.) each team presented their final products. Every project had me wishing I had the opportunity to work on. Lots of cool stuff was created in a very short amount of time.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I would encourage anyone who thought they maybe, might, kinda like to give to a charity to come out next year and enjoy the fun. See you guys at .NET Sig ( http://www.dotnetsig.org ).