Day 272 - Supported a Friend and Walk Now for Autism Speaks

I just received an email from a friend who is participating in Walk Now for Autism Speaks to help find the missing pieces of autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 88 children born today. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. Research is crucial. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist.  Their goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders, and soon.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is their chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. You can also join my friend and her team in their fight as they raise money to help fund essential research. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism Speaks and/or join her team online using the links at the bottom of this page.

For today's random act of kindness I made a small donation in support of their cause!

Day 272 - Supported a friend and supported Autism Speaks

Day 271 - Gave a Tree

As the kids and I were watching Disney Jr. we saw an advertisement for their Give a Tree event sponsored by Jack and the Neverland Pirates.  I suggested it to the kids and they thought it would be a great thing to participate in.

Jake and the Neverland Pirates is a popular Disney Jr. show and here is their spin to help plant trees across America.

Be a hero like Jake by telling us where to plant a real tree! Its Free!

Disney Junior and National Wildlife Federation are teaming up to plant 5,000 trees across America.
Trees provide food, water, shelter and places for wildlife to raise their families — Get started and join Jake’s tree mission today!  It's easy and free!!

Yo ho, let’s go!

You just helped plant a tree with Disney Junior and National Wildlife Federation!

Day 271 - Gave a tree

Day 270 - Left a Positive Comment

Today the girls were scheduled to play soccer but the weather was iffy up until game time.  As the game approached the league began implementing rain and lightening delays as families eagerly waited to find out when their children would be playing.

We live in a world of technology that has lead people to expect information and communication to be immediate.  Because of this there were a few upset parents when the league's Facebook page wasn't being updated as quickly as they would like.

After seeing 20+ negative comments in a row I thought it was time to cut the league a break.  So for today's random act of kindness I added a comment thanking them for all the work they do and expressing my understanding that weather can be a difficult issue to deal with as an organization for a number of reasons.  I thanked them for their numerous hours worked behind the scenes that typically went unacknowledged.  

As a positive following my comment a few other encouraging comments were posted.

Day 270 - Left a positive comment  

 

Day 269 - Supported Local Businesses

Tonight was the first night of Oktoberfest in downtown McKinney.  It's a yearly event that many look forward to.  It's also a great opportunity for residents to visit and support local businesses that they typically may have not had the opportunity to visit. 

We were very excited to go down and enjoy all the festivities as a family with some friends.  As a bonus we were able to support some local businesses as well as our local brewery Franconia.  It was a great time and another successful Oktoberfest!! 

Day 269 - Local support for businesses

Day 268 - Spirit Night at Spring Creek

This evening the girls' school had a Spirit Night at Spring Creek Barbeque.  We attended to not only support the school but also to save us the time making dinner.  Win-win for everyone!

So for today's random act we bought dinner, chatted with friends and let the girls play for a great cause.  What a great night!

Day 268 - Spirit Night for school

Day 267 - Fun for the Reward Bag

The girls' school is big on positive reinforcement and positive discipline.  One of the fun things they do is a grab bag with fun little trinkets that the kids can earn with good behavior.

One of the girls' teachers asked for a few items to help keep the grab bag stocked.  So for today's random act of kindness I went to the dollar section of the store and purchased some fun goodies for the bag.

Hope the kids enjoy their prizes!

Day 267 - Goodies for the reward bag

Day 266 - Helped Fight the Flu

Today marks the 266th act of kindness, which means there are only 100 to go.  Pure insanity, I tell ya!  So as we approach Flu Season everyone with kids in school or daycare knows how crazy this season of year can be when it comes to illnesses.  Most people with kids also know that teachers typically pay for a large percentage of their supplies, including cleaning supplies, out of their own pockets.

So for today's random act of kindness I thought it would be great to send a case of disinfecting wipes to my girls' teachers.  I'm sure they will greatly appreciate it and on a selfish note hopefully my kids can stay nice and healthy in their squeaky clean classrooms. 

Day 266 - Wipes for the teachers

Day 265 - Notes for the Neighbors

This week the daycare kids are learning about friends.  Today we talked about our neighbors and how we can be good neighbors.  We thought it would be fun to make notes for our neighbors and then deliver them.

So for today's random act of kindness the kids made cards and then we walked around the neighborhood a bit to deliver them!  They had a blast!

After we returned home one of those neighbors came over and brought cookies for the kids!!  Just as a little thank you for the card.  Such an unexpected random act and what a great one to continue our discussion on being a good neighbor!

Day 265 - Notes for the neighbors

Day 264 - Supported the Local Natural Science Museum

The weather today was amazing!!  To take advantage of that we decided it would be a great opportunity the visit local natural science museum and wildlife sanctuary and their Dinosaurs Live tour.  The girls loved the dinosaurs and always have fun checking out the new exhibits at the museum.

So for today's random act of kindness we purchased a year long family membership to support the Heard National Science Museum!!  If you are in the area I highly recommend you check it out.

Day 264 - Supported The Heard

Day 264 - Took Friends to a Party

Today is Saturday and with school starting just a few weeks ago it's right around that time when the birthday party season is in full force.

We have 4 birthday parties to attend in the next 3 Saturdays.  One of our good friends is out of town this weekend and her kids are staying with their grandmother.  So her daughter wouldn't have to miss the party we said we could give her and her sister a ride to the party.  We love their kids so much so spending time with them is always something we enjoy.

Day 264 - Took friends to a party!

Day 263 - Angel for Andrea

One of my friends, Kristie, who I've mentioned in earlier posts was born with a serious heart condition. She is currently on the transplant list to receive a new and wonderful heart.  She's had a rough time this past year or so but while she's fighting and waiting she never loses hope and her unwavering faith is amazing.

Today she posted about a friend of hers who suffered a stroke a couple of days ago.  Her friend is recovering but Kristie thought it would be awesome to flood Andrea with love, encouragement and well wishes from across the country.  Here is her facebook request...

As many of you saw yesterday, my friend Andrea Alto suffered a stroke two days ago while at work. Many of you know her as the woman behind the fundraiser Have A Little Heart, which many of you contributed to, that was started for me to pay for medical bills, medications, and the first $10,000 after transplant. She is weak and tired and has lost the use of her left side. Whether this is temporary or not is not known yet. But I need a favor from you all. Every time I was down and I received a card or flowers or a book or a dragonfly in the mail with an encouraging note it gave me the strength to fight and lean on your prayers and God. Andrea needs that now.

SO HERE IS WHAT I NEED: Let's swarm Andrea with love and support! I have Andrea's address and room number. It would be so uplifting to her to know how many people are praying for her and thinking about her. Please send a card, flowers, balloons, a funny picture, anything that you feel will give her strength and hope. She needs US now just as I need her and you all everyday, and I hope that many many mnay of us can lift her up! Here is the address:

St. Mary's Hospital
Duluth, MN 55805
C/O Andrea Alto
Room # 6254

So for today's random act of kindness I sent a Willow Tree Angel of Healing to Andrea in the hospital with a little note of encouragement.  I can't wait to hear how flooded she is with love an support during this difficult time.  For anyone reading this feel free to participate in this act as well and send Andrea a little love from around the country and around the world!

Day 263 - Angel for Andrea 

 

Day 262 - North Texas Giving Day for Guineas

North Texas Giving Day is a one day event to support non-profit organizations in North Texas.  Today, donations of $25 of more can be made beginning at 7am and continuing until midnight to more than 1,000 certified North Texas non-profits.  The donations will be amplified by more than $1.5 million dollars in bonus funds and prizes.

Over the past 4 years North Texas Giving Day has brought North Texans together to raise more than $34 million dollars.  

So for today's random act of kindness I participated in North Texas Giving Day by supporting a local non-profit guinea pig, rabbit and small pet rescue called Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig Rescue.  I think it's wonderful what they do to help animals and hope their North Texas Giving Day is successful!!

Day 262 - Participated in North Texas Giving Day

Day 261 - Watched a Video

A friend of mine has a daughter that is trying to win a beauty school scholarship.  She entered a contest and had to create a YouTube video explaining why she was most deserving of the scholarship.

The entrant with the most "likes" of their video and the most "comments" will be awarded the scholarship.

So for today's random act of kindness I watched Stacy's video, liked it and commented.  If you have a moment to do the same I'm sure she would greatly appreciate it.

Day 261 - Watched a video to hopefully help Stacy earn a scholarship!

Day 260 - Participated in Spirit Night

Today was a Spirit Night for the girls' school at Papa Murphy's Pizza.  We always try to do what we can and participate when the school holds fundraisers.  The girls had a soccer game tonight so it was a great excuse to just order ahead and grab a pizza on the way home for dinner.

So for today's random act of kindness I supported the school by purchasing a pizza.  Hope their fundraiser was a success!

Day 260 - Pizza spirit night

Day 259 - Wine and Chocolate for Friends

We just returned from a little vacation in Oregon and our good friends watched our guinea pig Brownie for us.  We wanted to bring them back a little gift as a thank you for watching her.  What better gift than chocolate and wine?!?

So for today's random act of kindness we thanked our friends with a bottle of wine and some chocolate treats from Portland.  Hope they enjoyed the treats!!

Day 259 - Wine and chocolate for a friend

And because she's so cute I have to include a picture of little Brownie.

Day 258 - Extra Tip for Cab Driver

We are flying back home today!!  Last night my brother and sister-in-law were nice enough to let us crash with them before flying out.  Because they saved us the cost of a hotel room for the night I thought it would be great to pass along some of those savings to an unsuspecting person. 

So for today's random act of kindness we tipped our cab driver 100% of our fare to the airport.  She was very sweet and so nice to the girls.  Hope she did something fun with the little extra tip!

Day 258 - Tip for the cab driver

Day 257 - Produce for the Neighbor

Today we are on vacation and spending time with my sister in Corvallis, Oregon and her neighbor just had a new baby.

My sister's garden was over producing so for today's random act of kindness we bagged up some produce and left it on the neighbor's porch.

Hoping they are getting some rest and enjoying that new bundle of joy!

Day 257 - Produce for the neighbor

Day 256 - Treated For Lunch

Today we went to visit the Oregon coast and it was beautiful!  We had lunch at a great little seafood restaurant that overlooked the ocean.

For today's random act of kindness I offered to treat for lunch as we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and great company.

Day 256 - Lunch for the family

Day 255 - Bought Travelers Some Water

Today we are flying to Oregon to visit some family.  We had a connecting flight and after our first flight realized that water on our airline comes at a price.  So during our short connection I had to grab us a few bottles of water for the next flight.

I decided it would be a great random act to pay for a few extra travelers' water at the newspaper stand.  The employee was very surprised but thought it was a great idea.

Day 255 - Water bottles for travelers

Day 254 - Remembered 9/11

Today on the anniversary of September 11th I wanted to do something in remembrance of that horrific day.  Children will only read about that day in books and read about it on history sites but the memories of that day are still very real for so many.

Today, because they are still too young to grasp the events,  I spent a little time talking with the Acorns about what it takes to make a hero.  What characteristics they possess and who in our lives are heros. 

Day 254 - Talked about heros

Day 253 - Coupons for a Shopper

We are traveling in a few days so I wanted to swing by the store to pick up a few things for the trip.  I had printed up some coupons for a few items before I left.

Once I arrived at the store and purchased my items, I had some coupons left over so I gave them to the customer behind me.  She was very appreciative and I hope it brought a smile to her face!

Day 253 - Coupons for a shopper

Day 252 - Donated Clothes to Goodwill

We are cleaning out closets today and getting ready to move into the new season of clothing.  We were able to gather a large bag of clothes for donation.

For today's random act of kindness we dropped off our donations at the local drop box for donations.  Hope these will touch a family in need!

Day 252 - Donated clothes

Day 251 - Provided Needed Encouragement

Today was a day that I went to my email and sent a couple of encouraging messages to offer support.  Because there are a few of you that read this I'd prefer to keep this act a bit more anonymous.  It was just something I thought was needed to give some folks a little dose of encouragement and a reminder that they're doing a great job!

Day 251 - Needed encouragement

Day 250 - Tattoo for a Good Cause

This evening was the girls' Back to School picnic and everyone had a great time.  There were booths set up around the event raising money for the school.

For today's random act of kindness we paid for both the girls to get tattoos to support one of the parent's groups. 

Day 250 - Support for the school

Day 249 - Socks for the Soccer Team

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our next outdoor soccer season!!  The girls are moving up to the next age group which means bigger fields, longer games and new uniforms!

For today's random act of kindness we purchased matching socks for all the girls on the soccer team.  Just a little something to girly up their uniforms.

Day 249 - Socks for the soccer team

As you can tell from the picture the socks didn't arrive yet but will be here for our next game.

Day 248 - Special Muffins for Breakfast

This morning Ryan had surgery to receive ear tubes.  Because I would be gone in the morning I wanted to get the daycare children a special treat for breakfast.

So for today's random act of kindness we purchased them mini blueberry muffins and fruit for breakfast.  They were so excited to have something special!

Day 248 - Special breakfast

Day 247 - Provided 5 Weeks of Protection for Families and Pets

Because so few domestic violence shelters have the ability to accommodate pets, victims often feel like they only have two options when it comes to their animals: leave them behind, or remain with their pets and subject themselves, their children, and their pets to continued abuse.

RedRover’s Safe Escape grants provide timely financial support to enable victims and their pets to flee their abusers. Grants are available throughout the United States and may be used to pay for emergency boarding and veterinary care. They also provide support to domestic violence shelters to help them expand their services for those with pets.

For today's random act of kindness I provided five weeks of peace and protection for these families and their pets by just clicking in support.

Day 247 - Provided 5 weeks of protection for families and their pets

Day 246 - Clicked to Give Two Weeks of Meals

Huger in America is such a huge, huge problem.  Statistics show that increasing cut backs in government programs, a poor economy, and other factors have led to a rise in food insecurity — especially among families with small children and senior citizens. Although related, food insecurity and poverty are not the same — and the hungry are hidden among us. According to numerous studies by the government and independent organizations, food insecurity exists in every county in the United States. Tonight somebody close to you, maybe a neighbor, is going to bed hungry.
Feeding America strives to close this food gap. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 Feeding America member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.
Just one click will help Feeding America give two weeks worth of meals to thirty more families.

So for today's random act of kindness I "clicked" to provide 2 weeks of meals to 30 families.  Such a simple act but what an impact it could have.  Please go click if you have a moment.  It's free and can make a real difference!

Day 246 - Clicked for 2 weeks of meals for 30 families 

Day 245 - Labor Day Appreciation

In the United States, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a celebration of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.

With the girls out of school today and Chris and I out of work we thought it would be a great opportunity to acknowledge the labor of others for Labor Day.

So for today's random act of kindness we decided to grab a few boxes of cookies, attach a note of encouragement and deliver them to folks working hard today.  We delivered cookies to a local ER, a gas station, a tire and lube station, a drugstore pharmacy, and a local fire station.  They were all excited to have a little treat.

Day 245 - Labor Day appreciation

Day 244 - Crashed a Wedding (Registry)

Weddings are always fun and something wonderful to celebrate.  An amazing friend of mine was just married last week and I love buying wedding gifts!  I feel truly giving and random today, so I want my random act to reflect it.  I saw this act on another blog and thought it was a great idea!  So today, for my random act of kindness, I am crashing a wedding registry.  I am going on Target's registry, typing in 2 letters in the first name and last name, and randomly selecting a couple who has an upcoming wedding.  I am then going to buy them something small and write a nice message to them. I am super pumped for this act because I could only imagine what it would be like to get a random present.

Day 244 - Crashed a wedding...registry