Call for Volunteers for the 2014 McAllen Mini Maker Faire

McAllen, TX — McAllen Mini Maker Faire is looking for volunteers to prepare the 2014 McAllen Mini Maker Faire. The event is presented by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Make Magazine.

Volunteers will help in the following areas: registration, fundraising, marketing, stage, makers and other aspects of the event. This is a great opportunity to support the maker community in the Rio Grande Valley and learn about the process of producing a Mini Maker Faire. McAllen Mini Maker Faire is free to all attendees. It remains free due to the active participation of a dedicated group of volunteers.

Maker Faire began in 2005 in San Mateo, CA by the people behind MAKE and CRAFT magazines. The McAllen Mini Maker Faire takes after its parent event, Maker Faire, which hosts 90,000 visitors in San Mateo in May. The McAllen Mini Maker Faire will be a smaller, community-focused event, but will follow the Maker Faire model of celebrating do-it-yourself creativity and tinkering.

Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the McAllen Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration featuring robots, DIY science and technology, urban farming and sustainability, energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, music, workshops and installations.

If you would like to volunteer or want more information, please contact Eduardo Millet at emillet@mcallenchamber.com or visit McAllen mcallenmakerfaire.com.

Canstruction to be Unveiled at McAllen Mini Maker Faire

The Food Bank RGV will be partnering with the McAllen Mini Maker Faire and Ruben R. Escobar, Diseño, Inc. a member of the American Institute of Architects, to bring the first-ever Canstruction to the Rio Grande Valley. The surprise sculpture made entirely of canned food will be unveiled at the McAllen Mini Maker Faire, Saturday, June 22, 2013, at the new McAllen Creative Incubator located at the old McAllen Memorial Public Library.

Canstruction is a national organization that promotes charitable giving through creative building projects. A business, student or architectural group will purchase canned foods, create a design and then build a themed sculpture using cans. Once the sculpture has been constructed and documented, the work is submitted for prize consideration and the food is generously donated to the local food bank. Volunteers may be asked to help in construction. The sky is the limit with designs. This is the first time a Canstruction project has been done with the Food Bank RGV.

“We are very excited to have Canstruction here in the Valley,” Terri Drefke, Food Bank RGV CEO, said. “We think local groups and businesses will see this sculpture and want to take up the challenge to try and win the national competition for best sculpture. Thanks to Ruben Escobar and Eduardo Millet for making this happen!”

For more information contact Omar I. Rodriguez, Manager of Communications & Advocacy, at (956) 904-4514 or by email at omarir@foodbankrgv.com. Also, visit www.foodbankrgv.com at any time for information regarding other programs and events.