Family Service Challenge Presentation and a Match Challenge

I sent out a post last week talking about a presentation for the Family Service Challenge. In conjunction with the presentation we held a Pajama Drive for the Orangewood Childrens Home. We end up with 58 pair of PJs to donate. I shared with them that I would issue the challenge to the families who are participating in the Family Service Challenge to see if we could match their donation of 58 pair. Some of you have already contacted me with a desire to add to the pajama bounty. Any possibility of letting friends and neighbors help. Honestly, it was so affirming to me to see the generosity of this office. In addition, the spirit was there as this office looked at photos of projects from the Family Service Challenge and came together to give on behalf of the children.

All the best!

From the Mouth of Babes

One of our participants responds to the promptings of the Spirit:

Our little family had a wonderful experience with a homeless family...after choir practice one late afternoon we happened to be playing on the side yard of a ward building which is on quite a busy street in Newport when this family of a mom, dad & little boy probably around 3 or 4 years old asked if the church was open. I went on to explain that there is no clergy here but if I could offer assistance. They were looking for any type of food voucher or hotel voucher. This father proceeded to tell us that they were homeless & they weren't familiar with the area. I explained that I wasn't either (too bad we weren't in Los Al, with WeCare). So with my small children by my side & listening so closely to this mans words we decided to help. We provided a hotel room for the night & amazingly (we know who was behind this, Heavenly Father) we STILL had a ton of canned goods in the back of the car from the Family Service Challenge activity. So we found a grocery bag & filled it with some food & water for the family. The kids had a lot of questions & it was a perfect opportunity to talk about how blessed we are & how important it is that we help others. And the sweetest part of this was that our 6 year old, on her own said,"Do you think Heavenly Father knew that we would meet this family & that's why we still had this food in our car..?" It really was an experience that our little family will never forget. We often talk about the little boy & how he was so excited to receive a fruit snack.

How to Make Giving a Habit: The Giving Box

From the Families with a Purpose Website

http://www.familieswithpurpose.com/

We began the tradition of Giving Boxes when our two oldest girls were 6 and 4. We wanted to find a simple hands on way of helping them understand the importance of giving to those less fortunate and thus spawned our idea for the Giving Box. Every week our girls earn a $3 allowance by doing small age appropriate chores around the house . The first dollar is for their "purses" or own personal spending. The second dollar is for what we call their "education" savings (right now it is simply a small bank they keep in their bedroom). The third dollar is for the Giving Box. We collect our weekly dollars and as opportunities arise such as the Toys for Tots campaign during the holidays, or the Hat and Mitten tree at our church, or the local food drive for the homeless shelter we take the dollars from the box and go to the store to make our purchases. As a family we then deliver them where they need to go. We have found by actually letting the girls use the dollars to purchase physical items such as toys, clothing, or food and by letting them participate in the delivery they have a better understanding of how they can help. Remember, the dollar amount isn't what is important, but rather the sence of compassion you are inspiring in your children by teaching them to set aside some of their "earnings" for those less fortunate.

Loving Laundry and a "Cool" Service Idea

One of our sisters contacted me a couple of days ago. They decided to use the idea posted on this site to donate single load laundry packets. She placed a dryer sheet and $2.50 in quarters inside a small snack size plastic bag. Then placed that inside the sandwich size plastic bag with one cup of laundry detergent.

Her family put together ten packets and took them to We Care. We Care was delighted. They had never received this type of donation before but indicated that they would welcome more of these single load packages.



Way to go Loving Family!!!




I was browsing around looking for some new ideas to post and it struck me that with the weather getting warmer it might be fun to put together a "Chill Out" basket. The basket could be filled with a small spray bottle fan, tips on staying cool, a coupon for a picnic meal, etc.


I found an article online about Heat and the Elderly that really made me think:


Please, take the time to check on the elderly, the sick, and the less fortunate in their homes. It is so sad to see people die when it is completely preventable. I saw an older woman on the news last night, sitting in her hot apartment with the windows closed, no fans on, and wearing a flannel housecoat. As incredible as it might seem, people don't always realize right away just how hot it is. They become accustomed to the heat and often don't realize until it's too late that the heat has risen to dangerous levels.



Here are some more tips to help the people you care about stay healthy and more comfortable in their own homes:


1. Make sure the person is wearing lightweight clothing. If that person prefers to be covered, offer a light sheet.


2. Draw shades or cover windows where the sun streams through. It really does make a difference in interior temperatures.


3. Encourage the person not to use appliances that create a lot of heat, especially the oven. Offer to prepare something to eat or bring materials for cold dishes, such as sandwiches or salads.


4. Consider picking up a personal mister or even a spray bottle to help people cool off occasionally, especially if that person cannot easily bathe on his or her own. Cool water can help lower the body temperature.


5. Offer sports drinks to help replace nutrients lost through perspiration.


6. If you can afford to, consider purchasing a window air conditioner and having it installed. It will at least keep one room cool enough to help the person remain healthy. Look for an energy efficient model and promise to help the person sign up for energy assistance to help pay the increased electric bill. Some people who have air conditioners won't use them out of fear of not being able to pay the bill and having their power shut off completely.

Compassionate Service Veterans

Last night I was able to attend the inaugural and ultimate Seal Beach Ward Helping Hands enrichment group. We were able to cut out and sew a few baby layette pieces, a couple of school bags and I believe a cap received a few stitches.

Most of us have pondered on the upcoming boundary changes since Sunday but my favorites are those who love quilting/sewing/serving together so much that they are hoping boundaries decisions are based on who has the quilt frames.

I have only been in the presence of these great women a few times but I am in awe of the quiet, powerful and generous force they are in the humanitarian work of the Seal Beach Ward (a number of the humanitarian service"regulars" are not in these photos but we could all easily name names). Some come with years of experience, some not as many but all with total enthusiasm and willingness to do whatever is needed.

As time is passing and joints are aching, it is time for some of the greats, whom we so admire, to become our mentors. And time for many of us, myself included, to seek out these sisters and ask them to divide their gifts with us so that we can learn the skills these sisters have honed over the decades of compassionate/humanitarian service.

Below are the lyrics to Because I have Been Given Much:

Because I have been given much, I too must give;

Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live;

I shall divide my gifts from thee

With every brother that I see

Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,

I cannot see another’s lack and I not share

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,

roof’s safe shelter overhead,

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need;

I’ll show that love by word and deed:

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

-- Grace Nowell Crowell

To these veteran sisters, who have provided so much, and continue to serve, you have our thanks indeed.

Memorial Day Ideas and a Service Success Story

A couple of Memorial Day ideas sent to me from participants in the challenge:

A Sister passed this on from the Dear Abby column in the Press Telegram.

On Monday at 3:00 PM local time is a National Day of Remembrance. Would all Americans stand together, unified in spirit for 60 seconds of respectful silence. The purpose of the moment is a noble one, to honor America's fallen,the freedoms we take for granted each day are teminders of their ultimate sacrice and our ongoing debt to them We mourn our fallen and honor their courageous legacy and the future they bequeathed to us.

What about something as simple as taking a dozen donuts with a thank you note to a veteran in our ward or neighborhood.

Now for the success story:

At the quilting event this week, one of the sisters took me aside to share a success story. She has the responsibility to sent notes to ward members that have asked not to be contacted. This sister doesn't often hear back from those she sends to.

Feeling inspired by the Service Challenge Kickoff she decided to add the flyer for the Wheelchair project to the letters.

A few days later, she received a knock on her door. One of the inactive members was bringing a jar full of change to donate. For some reason, this project touched her heart and moved her to action.

A very meaningful interaction took place because the sister sending the notes acted on inspiration.

Thank you for reminding me to listen to the Spirit as we seek to serve.

Thanks to All for Sew Much Fun