Puzzled?

My family of 4 currently has a 1000 piece puzzle laying on our kitchen table.  When we started separating pieces last night, I couldn't help but think of this service project and the elderly it may help.  Another simple way to help elderly, especially those with memory disorders such as Alzheimer's, is to collect and donate puzzles to local nursing homes, senior centers, etc.

This website suggests puzzle collection sites for shoppers to donate to this project.  This project is inspired by www.puzzlestoremember.org, if you would like to find out more about the benefits of puzzles to these men and women.

To go beyond donating puzzles, it would be WONDERFUL to spend time working on the puzzles with the elderly!  

For more information/ideas:

http://www.generationon.org/sites/default/files/resources/health_puzzles_to_remember_final.pdf 

Puzzles to Remember video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Y0Bak1EZM

A Different Kind of Service

Service men and women really know how to serve and since this is a blog about different services ideas; I was excited to find a way to serve them too!  Many servicemen and women have noble, heroic stories and lessons from which we can learn, but they aren't given the opportunity to share.  A way we can serve them is to help preserve their story.  This service idea is to interview war veterans (with caretakers' and their permission) and fill out proper forms etc to be able to preserve their stories through the Library of Congress.  I had no idea there was a program like this, but I love it!  This is a great opportunity to give of our time, rather than serving others monetarily.

Here is the link with information on the process:

http://www.generationon.org/sites/default/files/resources/preserve_a_veterans_story.pdf

My Stuff Bags

I found an great program out of California that compile bags of "stuff" for children who have to quickly flee abusive homes.  Giving children comfort in something to hold on to and call their own.  My Stuff Bags hands out bright blue duffel bags to the children with items such as:
books
journals
toiletries
stuffed animals
coloring books/crayons
small toys
clothing
hand crafted items

I was also really excited to find out that they ask for new or handmade blankets too.  I can sew square things like blankets!  :)

Link to My Stuff Bags:
http://www.mystuffbags.org/how-to-help/donate-stuff/

What a difference $25 Can Make

http://www.kiva.org/ has really taken off in the last several months.  I'm reminded that I can drop $25 for something I "need" and not give it a second thought, but $25 means a lot to many.  Here is a way I can make $25 reach a long way.  I also love the personal touch of being able to see and read about different individuals seeking a loan.  Even if you don't feel that you can loan to them, then another possibility is to read through some of the profiles and pray for those individuals.  May you bless someone (or many someones) today!

Just Some Ideas

I've come across this website all about ideas for random acts of kindness for others in and around our community.  I've discussed this with others before, but I'm so happy and encouraged to see others are stepping up and helping others on a daily basis.  This website is a way for people to come together and share ways that they have helped someone or been helped by someone.  Some are small (although not to necessarily to the person on the receiving end) and some are more involved, but all worthwhile!

http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/Kindness-Ideas/

Bring Joy to Someone on the Other Side of the World

Have any extra toys school/craft supplies? I know a way to put them to good use!  


Operation Give website: "We are a non-profit, non-partisan, grass-roots effort to coordinate the collection and distribution of toys (and necessities) for the children of Iraq and Afghanistan. When you send a gift, you give more than a package, you give smiles and hope, one gift at a time." 

 This program was started by volunteers helping Paul Holton (or Chief Wiggles) who has and is currently serving in Iraq. He started by sharing small items that he had, a small toy, an extra toothbrush, etc, and saw how grateful and happy the children were to have such a prized possession.  This led him to more giving and getting others involved and now he runs Operation Give.  I encourage you to look into Operation Give and see if you might also be able to help put a smile on the fae of a child in Iraq. 



http://www.operationgive.org/index.php/donate/our-operations/op-joys-with-toys/

A Way To Say "Thanks"

Want to tell our soldiers "Thank You"? I'm sure soldiers would like to be reminded that they are appreciated (who doesn't, right?). 

 Here is a site dedicated to encouraging and saying "thanks" to soldiers. This is a fairly easy and painless way to encourage someone else so please consider sending cards/letters through A Million Thanks.


http://www.amillionthanks.org/send-letter-guidelines-get-started

Please Educate Yourself And Others

Recently I read Half The Sky By Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn. Wow! It's a difficult topic to read about, but I can't convey how important it is for us to be aware and educated about crimes against women and girls across the world. It breaks my heart and moves me to much prayer on behalf of these women ( and young girls!). Reading this book has led me to do more research on ways to help from here. 

Transitions Global is a program I've found to be impressive in helping girls ages 8-18 recover and build new lives after being victims of sex trafficking/slavery in Cambodia. 
They have a program called Project Every Girl in which you can sponsor one of the girls' living expenses for $25 a month. I encourage you to look into this program if this is a possibility for you. 


 If you're not able to participate in this program, another idea may be to scroll through and read about each of the girl that can be sponsored (there are small paragraphs about them) and pray specifically for each girl.


http://transitionsglobal.org/everygirl/

Also if you're a man and sex trafficking is an uncomfortable subject for you, then I ask you to read this short page about Cambo.  It's a movement related to how men can help by being "real men" and contribute to anti trafficking in their own way.  Please read:


https://transitionsglobal.org/programs/cambo/

No Place Like Home

I live in a small town, so I don't "see" many people who are obviously homeless. However, sometimes I visit places cities where homelessness is very visible. Many people want to help without just giving money, so here are a couple ideas: 


Keep a few restaurant gift cards on hand to share with someone who says they are hungry. It's especially good to have cards for restaurants that are easily found. (ie McDonald's, Subway) 


Another way to help someone holding a homeless sign is to keep a few pre-made homeless care packages in your car. I found this idea here: 


 http://beautyandbedlam.com/homeless-carepackages/ 


 Some of the recommended items are 
-toothpaste/toothbrush 
-water bottle 
-moist wipes 
-protein snacks 
-chapstick 
Etc 

 If we're able to help even one person who really needs it, then it is worthwhile.

Dressed in Love

Little Dresses for Africa take handmade dresses and distribute them to young girls in Africa to enjoy and know they are loved.  A motto of "changing lives one dress at a time..." encourages us to use our talents to make dresses for these sweet girls!  Please check out:


http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

Color A Smile!

Love, love, LOVE this program!  My three-year-old loves to color pictures for people and this is a great way for her to continue creating for others.  :)  Color a Smile program takes crayon drawn pictures by children and distributes them to nursing homes, meals on wheels, etc.  What a great way to teach our children to think about others!

http://www.colorasmile.org/

So you think you can sew?...

Hooray!  Here is a big list of sewn items that YOU can make for different charities that take donations.  Lots of great ideas and patterns included with many.  Also, if you like the idea for a sewn item, but don't want to send it to that charity, then make some for people locally and help your community.  Have fun!

http://www.asg.org/files/community_service/Community_Service_List.pdf

Are You Up For A Challenge?

What an awesome idea!  Do you like a challenge?  Beading For A Cure has a direct challenge for us.  Here is the challenge:

www.beadingforacure.org/challenge.html

If you don't think you're up for the challenge, then consider supporting their program by bidding on items on ebay that others have created through the challenge.  The bidding starts in March during colorectal cancer awareness month and goes for about 6 weeks.  This is beautiful and creative beadwork!

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=beadingforacure

Calling All Quilters!

Quilters are needed for the Quilts Of Valor Foundation!  They have some simple directions for the quilts they accept and they also take fabric donations.  


www.qovf.org/




The QOVF mission statement:

Welcome to the Quilts of Valor Foundation

The mission of the QOV Foundation is to cover ALL those service- members and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts called Quilts of Valor (QOVs).?This foundation is not about politics. It's about people.

Who needs a makeover?

I found another awesome program!  Enchanted Makeovers helps to "makeover" women and children's shelters into a comfortable place of recovery and growth.  They really encourage handmade items to show love and promote recovery.  Here is information about their program:


www.enchantedmakeovers.org/


If you're ready to start making some handmade items for them, then here is the link to contact them and get started:


www.enchantedmakeovers.org/dynamic/?page=62

afghans for Afghans

We've had a busy summer, but I'm ready to get back into blogging about ways to help others.  I came across this group doing some great work for Afghan refugees.  If you are talented and can knit or crochet, then please consider trying this program.  They take knitted or crocheted socks, blankets, hats, scarves, sweaters, etc.  Send some warm love overseas!  :)

www.afghansforafghans.org/index.html

Vitamins

Do you take your vitamins every day?  I try.  My three-year-old often asks for her "bide-a-bin".

Vitamin Angels program takes $1 donations (or more) that are put to great use!  It only takes 25cents to provide vitamin A and antiparasitics for a year!  They provide vitamins to expectant mothers and young children to improve immunities and supplement poor diets that they cannot help.

I encourage you to give a little to Vitamin Angels to help their program.  These days a $1 only buys a pack of gum anyways...  :)

http://www.vitaminangels.org/get-involved

Don't forget to take your vitamins too!

Join a Smile Group!

Want to spread some smiles?  Need some ideas?  Join a Smile Group!  I love the idea behind this website and the ways that we can help and encourage others to help.  

They will even send you a few preprinted Smile Cards that look similar to this.  You can leave these smile cards when you do a kind act and inspire the recipient to pass on the smile. 

Check it out:

http://www.helpothers.org/index.php

Hope

We all need hope.  Those in effected by the natural disasters in Japan may feel hopeless right now.  Here is something we can do to help encourage them.  I love that this requires so little on our part but can be a big help on the other side of the world!

Check out Hope Letters:

http://hopeletters.org/

Help Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan

The recent disaster in Japan is heavy on all our hearts. I usually try to find ways to help other than just sending money. Not because sending money is not important, but because we all know sending money is an option. However, in this case help is urgently needed for the victims in Japan. This website has a helpful list of ways to contribute to the efforts in Japan.


Take a look and don't forget the power of prayer!


How You Can Help the Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan