Day 31 - Tackled Hunger

Ryan and I were at Market Street today and noticed they were tackling hunger through the Souper Bowl of Caring movement. 

Folks either buy a bag full of groceries or make a donation at the register.  Every item or dollar donated during the Souper Bowl of Caring helps to nourish neighbors in need.

I let Ryan grab one of the little kid shopping carts, which she loves :), and we grabbed a bag to feed a local family in need!

They are running the program through Super Bowl Sunday (February 3rd).

Day 31 - Tackled hunger

Day 30 - Registered to Become a Tissue and Organ Donor *UPDATE

We are 30 days into this project and only 2 days from February!  Since February is National Heart Awareness Month I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something I thought I had done years ago...become an organ donor.

I have a friend who was born with a serious congenital heart disorder.  Now at age 32 she has been in and out of the hospital more times than she can count.  Her heart has been failing her but she continues to be one of the most positive and strong women I know.  Her faith keeps her going and gives her new hope everyday.  Today she will find out if she will be placed on the transplant waiting list for a new heart or if she will have to wait and continue to struggle with the ill effects of her failing heart.

I believe signing up to be an organ donor is one of the most generous things you can do — especially when you consider that a single donor can potentially save eight lives. That’s eight people who won’t have to spend agonizing months or years on the transplant waiting list, who will get a second chance, because you made the selfless decision to be a donor.

Today's random act took only a few moments of my time, and the impact it could have is immeasurable. So if you have a few spare minutes, please go to Donate Life and register to become and organ and tissue donor.

Prayers go out to my friend Kristie that she can be placed on the transplant list and quickly receive a new, healthy heart thanks to someone's selfless act of becoming a organ donor.

Day 30 - Registered to become a tissue and organ donor

UPDATE:  Shortly after writing this Kristie found out that she will need to start the transplant process immediately.  She is not covered for the transplant in her current state of Virginia so the doctors feel her best chance at a new heart is in Denver, Colorado.  She has been told she will need a new heart by the end of the year.  We are praying she gets out to Colorado quickly, gets on the transplant list and gets a new healthy heart.

Day 29 - Donated Wire Hangers

We don't make frequent trips to the dry cleaners but when we do Chris always comes home with a huge collection of wire hangers.  Occasionally, when we remember, we'll grab some out of the closet and bring them back to the dry cleaner when dropping off a new load of clothes.  It never really dawned on me, until reading another random acts of kindness blog, that we could also donate these to the local Salvation Army, Thrift Store or Goodwill.

So today, for our random act of kindness, we will be donating our collection of wire hangers to our local Goodwill and Frisco Resale.  Both of these organizations accept donations of hangers for the clothes that they sell in their retail stores.  So if you have an overabundance of wire hangers in your house like we do, it is an easy thing to send them over and help your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or Thrift Store so that they can spend their money on other, more important things.

Day 29 - Donated wire hangers

Day 28 - Read a Book to the Girls/Donate a Book to Children

There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my girls. I love talking to them, I love playing with them, and I love reading to them. They have a wonderful collection of books they have either received as gifts or that have been purchased for the childcare.  Having access to these books is something that I want them to really appreciate.

 A sad statistic I have learned about is that 1 in 3 children in the United States does not have a single book in their home, and thus has more of a struggle with learning to read. A friend recently told me about a website that helps to add books to children's home libraries both here and abroad. The We Give Books (http://www.wegivebooks.org/) campaign allowed me to read a book to the girls online. After completing the book, you are then given the option to donate a book FOR FREE to a child either here in the United States or abroad.  Kailey and Ryan both read a book and then donated on behalf of a friend.  What a great way to get kids involved in giving as well!

If you have a child, niece/nephew, or if you want to just buzz through a book to donate, please go to that site so that more and more children worldwide will experience the joy of reading.

Day 28 - Read a book to the girls and donate a book to children

Day 27 - Visited the SPCA

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas (SPCA of Texas) is the leading animal welfare agency and serves as an active resource center providing an array of programs and services that bring people and animals together to enrich each others' lives.

Every time you support the SPCA of Texas—whether by coming out to their wonderful events, through a donation, by volunteering your time or by simply spreading the word about the great work they do— you support the dogs and cats (and rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, goats and more) and people they serve. They're the voice for the animals who cannot speak for themselves.

For today's random act of kindness we went to visit the local SPCA and bring a few stacks of newspaper (an item they typically need donations of).  The girls had a great time seeing all the animals and learning a bit about pet adoption.

 

Adoption is the loving option.

 

Day 27 - Visit to the SPCA

 

 

Day 26 - Made a Donation for Library Fundraiser

The girls' school (Imagine International Academy of North Texas) is having an online fundraiser for their school library.  Since it's the school's first year and many of their supplies are provided through donations and drives I thought this would be a great opportunity to support our wonderful school and amazing teachers.

So today's random act of kindness was a small donation to the school's library fundraiser.  Today was the last day to donate...nothing like waiting until the last minute :).

Day 26 - School library donation

Day 25 - Formed a Relay for Life Team to Fight Cancer

Just over the last few months I have been unable to avoid cancer's growing presence in those around me and it's unrelenting destructiveness. I have decided to do anything I can to join in the fight.

As some may remember from earlier posts Kailey and Ryan have a sweet little classmate Ileana (age 6) in the late stages of brain cancer and I have a wonderful friend Theresa who continues to battle melanoma.  Both Theresa and Ileana inspire me and are the driving forces in this random act.  Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, so I've decided to make a difference by walking and raising money for the American Cancer Society.  Anything I can do to help inspire hope and encourage folks to continue to fight, I will do. 

After seeing a friend post on Facebook about a local Relay For Life event I knew what I was being called to do.  I reached out to other kindergarten parents who also know Ileana and asked if they would be interested in forming a team.  Many jumped at the opportunity to make a difference.

We created a team and continue to recruit team members to join in the fight against cancer and to raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

Here is our team site.  If you are local and would like to join our team that would be awesome.  If you are not local and would like to donate for someone fighting this battle or dedicate a luminaria for a lost one that would be amazing too!

The Imagine Dragons Relay for Life Team Page

My inspiration...

My awesome friend Theresa.  A true rock star!!

Kailey and Ryan's sweet classmate Ileana (an absolute warrior)!

Day 25 - Formed a Relay for Life Team

Continued prayers for Theresa, Ileana, their families and all those battling cancer.  You are not alone.  Stay strong and keep fighting!

Day 24 - Sent a Smile

HP has made a pledge to donate $1 to the Ronald McDonald House for every eSmile that is sent through their website. So for today's random act, I decided to send an eSmile to assist the Ronald McDonald House in helping the families of children hospitalized with very serious diseases. It is 100% free to anyone who wants to participate, so please visit the above site to send a smile, well wishes, or a sketch of someone smiling.

I couldn't decided between the following 2 pictures so just ended up sending both as eSmiles...one for each of our daughters.  There are 5 participating Ronald McDonald Houses and it was so easy to send an eSmile that I sent one to each house.  It took less than 5 minutes to send all 5 smiles!  And what a fun way to bring some joy to children and families!  For those of us with healthy children we can very easily take that health for granted.  Today's act reminds me truly how lucky and blessed we are.

Day 24 - Sent some eSmiles

Day 23 - Ordered a Pizza

There is nothing I love to eat more than pizza. Deep dish, thin crust, frozen, it doesn't matter. I could have just finished eating Thanksgiving dinner, but if there is pizza around, I am eating it. I am sure that I am not alone in my love for pizza. So in an effort to spread my love for this culinary masterpiece to others, for today's random act of kindness, I ordered a pizza. No I didn't order it for myself, although now that I think about it, we may have to have it for lunch.

With the help of Pizzas4Patriots.com, I ordered a pizza for soldiers overseas. Since 2008, Pizzas 4 Patriots has helped our soldiers enjoy a little slice of home while abroad.  So if you can give even a little, please visit the Pizza 4 Patriots website to send something to our men and women overseas.

Day 23 - Ordered a pizza

Day 22 - Greeted Everyone I Walked Past

I love to see my girls smile!  It makes my day.  The innocence and sheer happiness in their faces is enough to make my heart melt. My hope is that everyone has that one thing that they can look to or think about that, no matter the situation, can give them the feeling that I get from my daughters' smiles.

I've noticed that a lot of people walk around minus their smile:). Maybe they are just having a bad day or something just bummed them out but either way we need more smiling!!  So today, for my random act of kindness, I am going to try to cheer them up with a small gesture. Although I am in our home a majority of the day, today will be a little different.  We are starting our women's bible study at church so there will be a lot of new faces to greet. I will also run to the store before our study to grab food for the potluck so more opportunities to say hello.

While not as cute as my daughters, I am going to try to replicate the happiness they give to me to a small extent. Today, I am going to give a smile and a quick "hello"/"how are you doing?" to every person that I walk past. Even if I don't get a smile or a "hello" back, I hope that seeing a smile from another person might make them forget about anything that has them down at that moment.


Day 22 - Greeted everyone I walked past

Day 21 - Supported Those with Disabilities

For over 90 years, the Easter Seals have been helping people with disabilities and special needs gain independence and overcome obstacles.  They have done this by providing services such as medical rehabilitation, employment training, and many other programs that help people achieve their personal goals.

 I thought today would be the perfect day to make a donation to a great organization that helps people gain access into everyday society.  So today, for my random act of kindness, I supported those with disabilities by making a small donation to the Easter Seals organization. 

Day 21 - Supported those with disabilities

Day 20 - Left coupons for Target Shoppers

Sunday is always grocery shopping day!!  We had a few extra baby item coupons today that we weren't going use and were close to expiring.  We placed the coupons on the shelves under the items they were for.  Hopefully these will be a nice surprise for a Sunday shopper!!

Day 20 - Extra coupons left on shelves with specific items

Day 19 - CVS "Extra Bucks" for Following Customer

Today I was shopping at CVS and had received a few CVS Extra Bucks for a purchase.  This is basically free money to use on a future purchase.  I thought it would be fun to pay it forward and leave the "extra bucks" with the employee for the next customer to use on their purchase.  It was only $2 but every little bit helps and I'm hoping it put a smile on their face :).

Day 19 - $2 Extra Bucks given to following customer at CVS

Day 18 - More Cancer Sucks Chemo Packages

Today was an extension of an early RAOK.  On Day 15 we made some Cancer Sucks chemo care packages.  I decided it would be great to include our daycare families in this giving effort so I let them know what we were doing and asked for folks that may want to contribute.  We ended up collecting enough donations to make an additional 6 care packages!!  Way to go Acorn families!!

Day 18 - 6 more Cancer Sucks care packages for Sammons Cancer Center

Day 17 - Flowers for Meals on Wheels

Today our random act of kindness was to send a bunch of carnations to our local Meals on Wheels program.  The volunteers that deliver meals will then deliver a flower with each meal today (until they run out of flowers :) ).  Hope they bring some smiles to some folks who aren't able to get out as much as I know they would like to.

Day 17 - Flowers for Meals on Wheels

Day 16 - Surprise Lotto Tickets for Co-Workers

We had 2 leftover scratch off lotto tickets from our random act of kindness 2 nights ago so Chris decided it would be fun to leave them on co-workers' desks at work.  We added 2 of the Pinterest Random Act of Kindness cards with them so we're hoping the random giving continues throughout the office!!

Day 16 - Surprise lotto tickets on co-workers' desks

Day 15 - Cancer Suck Chemo Care Packages

Today's was hard.  We just recently found out that one of Kailey's closest classmates, who was diagnosed with brain cancer back in May, was stopping treatment, due to the progression of her cancer and would no longer be attending school.  We've discussed things a bit with the girls and Kailey in particular but it's still very hard to think about.  I also have a dear friend currently battling melanoma who is actually a medical technician at the Sammons Cancer Center of Dallas.  Therefore prayers for people fighting this horrible disease have been at the top of my list recently.

So today the girls and I decided to make Cancer Sucks chemo care packages for the Sammons Cancer Center.  Just a little something to let those fighting know that they are not alone.  A little something to brighten their day and let them know that someone is thinking about them.  These are just little bags for folks receiving their chemo treatments with hand lotion, chapstick, hand sanitizer, wipes and some sugar-free candies.

The girls helped me by packing the bags and this is something I will continue to do.  Every trip to Dollar Tree I'll grab some supplies for another couple of bags and send off after I have a few.  It's the very least we can do.  CANCER SUCKS!!

Day 15 - Cancer Sucks chemo care packages

Day 14 - Lotto Tickets Taped to Gas Pumps

So as I was looking online for fun Random Acts of Kindness I ran across a great one for today!!  Buying scratch-off lotto tickets and attaching them to gas station pumps.  This was so fun!  I went in the gas station purchased some scratch-offs and then attached some RAOK printables that I found on Pinterest (RAOK printable).  I had to be a little sneaky so I could leave them on the gas pumps without being seen.  Would love to see some of their faces when they see the tickets.  I really hope someone wins it big!!

Day 14 - Free lotto tickets left at gas station pumps

Days 12 & 13 - Meals to a Close Family with a Baby in the Hospital

So this past Thursday night one of my sweet daycare kids was hospitalized with a scary set of symptoms.  Ashton had just celebrated his 1st birthday so of course had no idea what was going on and why everyone was poking and prodding him.  He was later diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease and was told he would have to remain in the hospital for the next 72 hours.

His parents had someone with him from the time he was admitted so we decided it would be great to provide a few days of meals to the family so they would have one less thing to worry about.  I gathered the troops (other daycare families) and we all pulled together and were able to provide 3 huge meals with salad, bread and desserts and plenty to freeze for down the road.

We also gathered coupons for local restaurants near their home so they could grab quick meals if they needed to.  They were super appreciative and little Ashton was released later in the weekend and is doing WONDERFULLY!  God is good and prayers are powerful!!

Days 12 & 13 - Meals and coupons for amazing family with a baby in the hospital

Day 11 - More Blood Donation

Today's Random Act of Kindness came from Chris.  The Carter BloodCare van came by his office today.  Knowing that we were working on these RAOKs he decided to donate blood today and do his part to help those in need!  Yay for blood donation in January!!

Day 11 - More blood donation for those in need

Days 8, 9 & 10 - Online Kindness

Well the flu hit our household and knocked me off my feet for the past 3 days.  I wasn't able to get out to perform any random acts of kindness so I did 3 little online random acts of kindness to stay on track.  I didn't have the energy to blog daily so I'll list all 3 here at once.  Online is a great way to give because it's easy and fast and even the smallest act can make a difference in someone's life.
 
Day 8 - Purchased some adult and child hygiene kits for McKinney families in need
http://shop.kitsforkidz.org/catalog/,249.htm

Day 9 - Emailed our sponsor child Vina from Indonesia with pictures and sent her a small gift online
http://www.compassion.com/

Day 10 - Sent anonymous virtual flowers to our 2 Women's Ministry directors who have been working their tails off organizing and getting ready for our Spring small group bible studies
 http://www.iflowers.com/

With health restored in our home I plan to get back out today and work on those random acts of kindness!!  Thanks for reading!

Day 7 - Art Donations for a School

Today Ryan's teacher sent home a "needed items" list for their classroom in particular and then items to benefit all the kindergartners.  Because teachers so frequently have to use their own personal money for supplies we love to help out whenever we can.

One of the items on the list was sidewalk chalk (something BSN carries luckily) so Chris decided today to purchase a big bulk order and donate anonymously to the kindergarten classes.

Two thumbs up for creativity!!

Day 7 - Anonymous art supply donation to school

Day 6 - Let Someone Go Ahead in Line

So with it being Sunday and me being in coupon mode, today was a big shopping day...with A LOT of coupons.  So as I walked through Target, and saw how crowded and busy it was, I began to dread heading to the checkout.  I knew whoever was behind me would not be too happy and it kills me to hold people up.  I ended up walking all the way to the opposite side of the store just to find the line farthest away from the crowds.  Only one person got in line behind me and she didn't have too much at all.  I told her I was so sorry but I had coupons.  I decided it would just be easier to let her go ahead of me.  She said not to worry but I insisted.  She was very grateful and luckily for me I made it through with my coupons before anyone else got in line.:)

Day 6 - Let someone go ahead in the checkout line

Day 5 - Donated Blood

I got a call today from the sweetest old man with Carter Blood Care.  He gave me the regular spiel on how rare and in need my blood type was and where my last donation ended up.  Typically (when I choose to answer the unknown number) I tell them I'll make sure to get in "sometime soon".  For some reason thought felt extra inclined to take him up on his offer to donate today.  He was the sweetest man and it would be a perfect opportunity for today's Random Act of Kindness.

After donating I actually realized that January is blood donor awareness month.  So get out there and donate if you haven't in a while!  Here's a great article that puts to rest some of the fears people may have about donating.

“Any time you can save someone’s life in less than an hour — that’s pretty phenomenal."

Day 5 - Donating blood for those in need

http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2013/01/03/donating-blood-is-crucial-to-healthcare

 

Day 4 - Paid it Forward in the Drive Thru

This is the girls' last day of break before heading back to school.  We told them if they were great helpers with the daycare kids we would take them to Chick-fil-A for dinner.  We also wanted to do this because we were having a new dishwasher installed between 5:30p and 7:30p so it would get us out of the house.  I could handle dinner and Chris the dishwasher installment.

So knowing we were going to hit a drive thru we decided to pay for the car behind us as today's random act.  The girls LOVE to do this and we always tell them before we leave so the excitement can build.  Who do you think it will be?  Will they have kids?  What kind of car will it be?  Think they will pay for the car behind them? 

So when we pulled into the drive thru line the girls started looking.  The first car that pulled behind us quickly decided the line was too long so she parked and chose to walk in.  Then the next car pulled up.  An elderly couple in white sedan.  The girls were so excited!!  So as we went to pay we told the employee that we wanted to pay for the car behind us.  She smiled, told us their total and asked if that was ok.  We said of course and were on our way. 

Day 4 - Pay it forward in the drive thru

Day 3 - Candy for Co-Workers

So thanks to another awesome coupon deal we were able to score half a dozen candy bars for free!  Chris took them to work today and is placing them on co-workers desks with a little "Happy New Year" note.  Enjoy your chocolate fellas!

Day 3 - Candy bars for co-workers

Day 2 - Anonymous Thank You Note

Over Christmas break our heater decided it needed a break as well.  Christmas night we bundled with blankets while we slept, as the outside temperature dipped into the teens.  We made a midnight call to our favorite heating company thinking we were leaving a message on the office phone.  Turns out we actually called the sweet secretary's personal cell phone. I later found out that she got the message and was so worried about our girls and niece, with the frigid outside temperatures, that she started calling the owner and other employee that night to see what they could do.

The day following Christmas it was in the mid 40s in the house.  Our family along with my sister, brother-in-law and 2 year old niece spent the day bundled up with a fire going and a space heater.  The heating company called and said they got our message the night before but because of the 4 inches of snow and ice on the roads that their trucks couldn't get out but they would get to us first thing the next day.  They even called later that afternoon to see how we were holding up.

The next morning I got a call at 7am (they don't typically open until 8a) from the secretary telling me they were on their way.  They arrived at 7:30a, checked the system, left to pick up the needed part and were back by 11:30am.  We had heat by lunch!

This was the 3rd service visit from them this year and each time we spoke or they came out they were amazing!!  They always came so quickly and really do care for their customers.

So the girls and I wrote and mailed an anonymous thank you card to Harris Air and their wonderful staff!! 

Day 2 - Anonymous thank you note

Day 1 - Feminine Products for Community Lifeline Center

So I have found a new obsession....COUPONING.  Getting something for next to nothing, or even free, is not only extremely intriguing to me but also brings out my insane competitiveness.

So yesterday as I was comparing my stack of store ads to my binder full of coupons I spotted a great deal on...feminine products.  Those who know me well know I have no use for these but had the perfect recipient in mind.  If there is one non-profit in McKinney that I love a teeny, tiny bit more than the others it has to be the Community Lifeline Center.  The folks that work there are amazing!!  They work tirelessly and will do ANYTHING for an individual or family in need in our community. 

So with my new couponing addiction in full throttle I stocked up on boxes and boxes of feminine products to drop off to the Community Lifeline Center. I'm sure they have a hard time keeping donations and supplies stocked for families in need, regardless of the item, but I definitely don't think feminine products would be at the top of most people's list of items to donate.  So here we go!! 

Day 1 - Feminine hygiene products for the Community Lifeline Center :)