Day 181 - Helped out the Boy Scouts

Today the girls had another couple of birthdays so a last minute trip to Walgreens was definitely in the plans.  As the girls and I were walking in we were stopped by a couple of boy scouts.  They were collecting donations of school supplies or financial donations for the Child Advocacy Center of Dallas.

After we purchased our last minute gift bag and tissue paper we grabbed a little cash back for the boys. They were very excited and supposedly we were their first financial donation of the day so that was great!!  I hope their drive was very successful!

Day 181 - Help for the Boy Scouts

Day 180 - Parking Passes at Celebrate Freedom

Today the family and I went to a day-long outdoor music concert at Southfork Ranch.  Admittance to Celebrate Freedom was free but parking was $25.  There were businesses around town that were distributing $10 off coupons for parking.  After we arrived at the concert we gave the folks working the parking lines 5 extra coupons that I had grabbed.  We asked them to give them to the next 5 cars that arrived without coupons.  The parking staff thought it was a wonderful gesture and the concert was amazing!!

Day 180 - Parking passes

Day 179 - Gave Back By Buying a Backpack

I received an email today from the Dallas Advocacy Center for abused children.  They are hosting an event Give Back, Buy a Backpack.  For just $25 you can fill a brand new backpack full of supplies for a victim of child abuse!

So for today's random of kindness I bought a backpack and gave back!!

Day 179 - Gave back by buying a backpack

Day 178 - Left Sunscreen at the Pool

This evening we took a trip to the pool and it was very, very hot (104).  We made sure to sunscreen up before leaving but definitely brought extra sunscreen with us.

After we finished swimming we noticed that there was a family arriving that had forgotten their sunscreen and were getting ready to leave.  We left a couple of bottles of sunscreen with them and told them they could just leave it on the table with the security guard for other families that may be in the same position.  Protect that skin people!!

Day 178 - Sunscreen at the pool

Day 177 - Paper Towels and Toilet Paper for CLC

During the summer, liquid consumption increases and with that toilet paper and paper towel consumption.  So in the summertime any non-profits that distribute toilet paper or paper towels will subsequently see an increase in need.  Because of this the Community Lifeline Center as well as the Frisco Food Pantry have toilet paper and paper towels currently in their top needs.

So for today's random act of kindness we grabbed some toilet paper and paper towels for both the CLC and the Frisco Food Pantry.  Hope others recognize the need and help to fill that need!

Day 177 - Toilet paper and paper towels for CLC and Frisco Food Pantry

Day 176 - Showers and Meals for the Homeless

One of the organizations that I have supported over the last couple of years is the Union Gospel Mission in Dallas.  Their mission "We are on a mission to see lives changed. Since 1949, homeless and hungry people have come to the Union Gospel Mission 'tore up, busted and disgusted,' to quote one of our clients. With your help, we offer them a chance to put their lives back together, anchored by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

Today I received a flyer to donate just a small amount for showers and meals for those challenged by homelessness.  I love everything the Union Gospel Mission strives for and even though it's not much I love to help when I can.  Every little bit makes a difference!!

Day 176 - Showers and meals for the homeless 

Day 175 - Time for the Homeless

Chris was in Nashville this weekend and is always looking for opportunities to perform random acts in case I have a tough time coming up with one for the day.  As he was walking downtown he was approached by a homeless man who asked him for some money.  Chris spent a few moments visiting with the man and then left him with a little bit of money.

“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.” - Sheila McKechnie

 Day 175 - Time for the homeless

Day 174 - Rosa's Giftcard for a Stranger

One of our little family traditions is Rosa's Tortilla Factory each Sunday after church.  Today since Chris is out of town it was just the girls and me.  They really enjoy the tortillas and also the occasional sopapilla.  Yum, yum!

So for today's random act of kindness we decided to make up for Chris not being with us by purchasing a small gift card and giving it to a family on our way out.  They were very surprised and a bit apprehensive but after they realized what we were doing were very appreciative.

Happy Sunday!

Day 174 - Rosa's Giftcard

Day 173 - Treated a Friend to a Movie

We hadn't yet taken the girls to a Studio Movie Grill for a movie.  With Monsters University coming out this weekend and a local Groupon for $5 tickets we thought it would be a great opportunity. 

We invited some friends to join us today for Monsters University and offered to treat for the tickets.

All the kids had a blast and it was so nice to spend some time with friends!!

Day 173 - Monsters University and Groupon

Day 172 - Fun for the Pool

We visited the pool this evening after all our daycare friends were gone.  We noticed that there was a limited amount of toys at the pool for general population use.  The girls and I thought it would be a great opportunity to purchase a few items for anyone to use at the pool.

We headed to one of our favorite stores and stocked up on pool friendly items to donate.  We grabbed some bubbles, water guns, cups for dumping, noodles, and sidewalk chalk.

Hoping some neighbors found the toys and had a blast!!

Day 172 - Fun for the community pool

Day 171 - Milkshake for a Stranger

Tonight the girls and I had a girls-only dinner night out.  We headed to a local burger joint with famous milkshakes.

For today's random act of kindness we not only purchased 2 milkshakes for the girls but also 2 extra milkshakes for future customers.  The employee thought it was great and was very eager to help!

Day 171 - Milkshakes for Strangers

Day 170 - Gave Up a Front Door Spot

The girls and I were running errands today and we went to visit a very popular restaurant for dinner.  There were folks circling the parking lot for a spot and we were lucky enough to swing by the front as someone was pulling out. 

For today's random act of kindness we decided to give the open spot to another car and park a bit farther away.  The folks that took the spot were extremely appreciative.

Day 170 - Gave away a parking spot

Day 169 - Went Shopping for a Baby

One of Chris' employees just had a sweet baby girl on Father's Day (what an awesome gift!).  Long story short this particular employee had suggested to us a car sales company that was much more generous when buying individual's cars.  We ended up using this company and getting quite a bit more than we had previously been offered.  So to re-pay the favor we thought it would be fun to go all out on some baby gifts for their little girl.

We headed to Buy Buy Baby, printed up the registry and went to town!  It was so fun shopping for her and I wish them the best as they begin this new journey!

Day 169 - Shopping for a baby

Day 168 - Dollars for Uganda

The girls started Vacation Bible School today times 2!  They go for a few hours in the morning to one VBS and then to another a couple of hours each evening.  I love that they are making new friends and having so much fun while still learning about God and all the amazing things He is doing through and around them.

One of the VBS groups is collecting funds to help with a program for children in Uganda.  The group purchases catechisms and then allows children to write encouraging notes and bible verses inside the books.  They are then delivered to a new Christian school in Uganda during future mission trips. 

So for today's random act of kindness we gave each girl a dollar to donate to the children of Uganda.  They were so happy to give and we really hope these funds bless those kids and restore hope and faith.

Day 168 - Dollars for Uganda

Day 167 - Special Father's Day RAKs

So for Father's Day this year I had thought about sending Chris off to golf with a friend or something else special but just never got it all together.  Such a slacker!  So Chris and I started brainstorming at church this morning on what to do today.  My saving grace was actually the theme while we were sitting there!  It was a challenge to dads to be fathers and not just "baby daddys"...verbatim from the message :).  Our pastor stressed "being present" with your children and not giving in to the myth that quality time is better than quantity of time.  So I was immediately saved and we planned on spending the day together as a family!

To add a little fun to our day we decided to complete one random act of kindness for each year Chris has been a dad.  So we headed off to complete our 6 random acts!  We had an amazing day spending time together as a family and were all blessed by the responses we received at each random act and the people we met.  We wish all the dads out there an amazing, amazing Father's Day!

RAK 1 - The girls made wonderful thank you cards for the ladies that work at our local donut shop.  The ladies were so appreciative and just LOVE seeing the girls!  (Forgot to take pictures)

RAK 2 - Passed out McDonald's gift cards to dads and wished them a Happy Father's Day at Hope Park

RAK 3 - Took coloring books, crayons and books to Acute Kids Urgent Care for the waiting rooms

RAK 4 - Paid for the car behind us at the car wash

RAK 5 - Ice tea for construction workers at a nearby apartment complex (they were SO excited!)

RAK 6 - Took bubbles to our community pool and left with the security guard to pass out to kids as they arrived


Day 167 - Father's Day RAKs

Day 166 - Gifted Some Trampoline Fun

Today the girls and I went to a local indoor trampoline park, Cosmic Jump, with a friend to jump out some energy.  Luckily there was a Groupon for 2 people for an hour for just $12!  After buying one for our girls I bought a 2nd to gift to someone else.  This place is a lot of fun for the kids so I hope they enjoy this gift of bouncing!

Day 166 - Cosmic Jump Groupon

Day 165 - Plunged a Potty

Today's act is probably a little odd but definitely qualifies.  When the girls and I were at the pool today we noticed that one of the toilets needed plunging and ironically there was a plunger in the stall.  So for today's random act of kindness I plunged a swimming pool's restroom and hopefully saved them a future wet floor :).

Day 165 - Plunged a potty

Day 164 - Said Yes at Check Out

Today for my random act of kindness I made sure to check yes when asked to donate $1-$3 to a non-profit at check out.  I visited CVS and Walgreens and donated at each.  CVS was a donation toward the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) and Walgreens was accepting donations for the AHA (American Heart Association).

These are so easy to ignore at checkout when employees or automated systems ask you to donate but even the smallest donation makes a difference.  Today I challenge you to check Yes at checkout!

Day 164 - Said yes at check out

 

Day 163 - Tie Dye and Headbands for the Soccer Team

The girls had their first indoor soccer practice tonight and their season begins Saturday.  Most of the girls are from our outdoor team so they are using the same uniforms they have for outdoor.

For today's random act of kindness Chris and I decided to purchase all the girls on the team tie dye socks and headbands to match their uniforms.  Just to add a little bit of flair. 

Day 163 - Tie Dye for the girls

Day 162 - Supplies to the SPCA

Today I thought would be a great day to help out the SPCA.  I went to my favorite store and grabbed some pet food, snacks, leashes, toys, and cleaning supplies.  Before grabbing the supplies I checked the SPCA's website for their most needed items.  I swung by to drop off the donations but they were closed so I left them by the front door.

I really hope these supplies help and that they put a smile on the employee's face that finds them.

Day 162 - Supplies to the SPCA

Day 161 - Donated Books to Honor Maurice Sendak

Today would have been Maurice Sendak's 85th birthday.  Maurice Bernard Sendak was an American illustrator and writer of children's books. He became widely known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, first published in 1963.  As I child, and now as an adult, I love Where the Wild Things Are.  Such an amazingly written and illustrated book that really allows the reader to let their imagination run WILD.

So in honor of Maurice Sendak's birthday and for today's random act of kindness I donated $5 for 2 books to We Give Books.  We Give Books put books in the hands of children who don't have them and is also donating 5,000 books to Oklahoma schools affected by the recent disaster.  So for each $5 someone donates by June 30, they will share two more books with students in Oklahoma.

Day 160 - Left Bubbles at the Park

I actually saw this idea on a couple of other blogs and loved it.  One blogger did the bubbles and another a board game.  Such a fun random act and I'm sure someone will definitely get some fun out of it.  The summer is that time of year when kids get to stay up a bit later and really get to enjoy their time off.  I know the perfect child will find these bubbles and have a blast with them.

For today's random act of kindness I left a big container of bubbles at our neighborhood park.

Day 160 - Bubbles at the park

Day 159 - Arcade Tokens for a Stranger

We went to a fun little birthday party today at a bounce house and the kids each received a bag of tokens to play with.  The girls didn't use all their token during the party so for today's random act of kindness we left a bag of tokens outside the facility for the next person.  Hope they enjoyed a few extra games!


Day 159 - Tokens for a Stranger

 

 

Day 158 - Awareness for Skid Row

I recently watched a documentary called Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home that looks at the lives of eight remarkable individuals--people who have found a way to make a life for themselves within the community of homelessness.  Currently there are 3.5 million homeless and mentally ill people on the streets of the US and 1 in 4 people will be touched by mental illness at some point in their lives.

One of the individuals interviewed said something that really resonated with me was "We don't need more people coming down to hand out sandwiches, we need more doctors to address all the mental illness".  I have little to no experience with extreme homelessness, even severe poverty or mental illness so I have a great deal of respect for those that make their life mission to help those individuals.

One of those groups making a difference in Skid Row is Lamp Community.  Lamp Community is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that permanently ends homelessness, improves health, and builds self-sufficiency among men and women living with severe mental illness.

They help people living with severe mental illness move from streets to homes. Lamp offers immediate access to affordable, safe and permanent housing without requiring sobriety or participation in treatment. Once settled in their home, new tenants are surrounded with customized services such as mental health treatment, drug recovery, healthcare, budgeting, visual and performing arts, job opportunities, and other supports to help them achieve their goals and become a part of their community.

So for today's random act of kindness I made a donation to Lamp Community to help support what they are doing for the individuals of Skid Row.

Day 158 - Help for Skid Row

Day 157 - Random Walmart Giftcard

I had to make a quick trip to Walmart this evening for a few things.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something fun for today's random act.  I decided to grab a gift card when I was checking out.  I was planning on just giving it to the cashier for the next person in line but then changed my mind.  I ended up finding a car in the parking lot and put it on their windshield.  Hope they enjoyed their little surprise when they finished shopping.

Day 157 - Walmart giftcard

Day 156 - Bread and Treats to the Food Pantry

Wednesday is the one day during the week that our local food pantry is open late to accept donations.  Therefore we always try and visit one or two Wednesdays each month.  I'm just so glad they update their "Current Needs" list daily because it really helps folks know what is most needed.  Today that #1 item is bread so we headed to Dollar Tree (note to self: purchase Dollar Tree stock) and cleared out the bread shelf.

The girls and I then talked about how lucky we are that we don't have to worry about food but that there are families, even in our own neighborhood, that have to worry about it every single day.  I also told them that a lot of families don't get to have treats and cookies very often because they just don't have the extra money to spend on special treats like we can.  So for today's act I allowed the girls to grab some of their favorite treats/snacks to donate to pantry so one of our neighbors in need could enjoy a special treat.  The girls were very excited and the pantry staff very appreciative. 

Day 156 - Bread and treats to the Food Pantry

Day 155 - Bookworms and Late Fees at the Library

Today the girls and I decided to take some treats to the library.  We passed out little bags of gummy "bookworms" to folks reading or working and everyone loved them.

We also grabbed a few books and while we were checking out realized I had a $2 late fee (surprise).  Unfortunately our library only accepts cash or check and I only had $1 on me.  So they held our books while I ran home to grab cash and my checkbook.

Once back I decided to offer to pay for a few people's late fees just to save them the hassle.  They said it wasn't possible to do randomly but sent me to another employee.  He confirmed they couldn't pick people randomly but told me he had just been on the phone with a woman in tears that was unable to afford her late fees.  I'm just amazed sometimes at God's timing.

So for today's random act of kindness I offered to pay off her late fees.  The employee was very skeptical at first and was so surprised someone would offer to do that.  He said he had to talk to her first before applying it to her account but thought she would not object.

After leaving he called and told me he had talked to her and her child was in the hospital.  She had been overwhelmed and stressed recently and completely forgot to turn in the items that incurred the fees.  He said I had "blown her mind" which is why I'm doing these random acts.  To re-instill a faith in humanity and to spread anonymous kindness and love where we can.

Day 155 - Bookworms and late fees