Day 111 - Called the Police to Check on Someone

So I went to grab a few things at my favorite store today for our fundraising event and when I pulled in I realized the car next to me has someone that appeared to be asleep in the front seat.  He wasn't moving and it just seemed an odd time (11am) for someone to still be sleeping off his fun from the night before.

When I went in the store I mentioned it to the employee and asked if maybe he could go check on the man.  He said anything outside the store is nothing they typically handle.  So after I left the store I checked on him again and he hadn't moved at all.  I didn't want to knock on the window just in case so when I got home I called 911 and told them about him.

They said they would send an officer to check on him and thanked me for letting them know.  I'm sure that officer just ended up waking him from his peaceful slumber but better safe than sorry.  I'd feel horrible if something had really been wrong with him and I did nothing.

So if you're the gentleman that was simply sleeping in your car in front of Dollar Tree today and were abruptly woken by the police knocking on your window...I'm so sorry :(.  So, so sorry!

Day 111 - Called the police to check on someone in the parking lot

Day 110 - Cash for Veterans

The girls had a birthday party to attend today and we had to make a super quick stop at Walgreens for a card.  Outside was a super sweet woman asking for donations for US veterans.  I didn't have any extra on hand but when I was checking out grabbed a little extra cash so the girls could donate.  They enjoyed putting the money in her bucket and she was very appreciative.  I appreciate all our service men and women do to keep us safe and strongly believe we need to not forget our veterans.

Day 110 - Donation for veterans

Day 109 - Donated Supplies for West

Organizations, groups and restaurants in our area our doing all they can for the people of West.  One of those restaurants is Quaker Steak and Lube.  They are collecting supplies for the city today through this weekend.  The most requested items include diapers/wipes, new underwear, blankets, water bottles, grocery or home supply store gift cards, toiletries, sports drinks, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, nonperishable food, clothing, bedding, and dog and cat food.

So for today's random act of kindness we took a few cases of water as well as toiletries to Quaker Steak to be delivered to West.

If you are looking for ways to help here is a great resource that was just updated yesterday.

Day 109 - Supplies for West

Day 108 - Lunch for the Burn Intensive Care Unit

Yesterday in West, Texas, a town about an hour from us, there was a huge fertilizer plant explosion.  As of today there were 35 deaths (including first responders) with almost 200 injured.  Homes were destroyed over a mile from the blast site.  The town is very small and has been completely rocked by this tragic event.

Because we are one of the closest major cities and with Dallas having one of the best Burn Units in the country our community is ready to help in any way we can.  A number of those injured have been transferred up here to Parkland Hospital's Burn Intensive Care Unit to receive some of the best burn care in the country.  I worked for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, which is affiliated with Parkland for over 6 years.  I spent many hours with the students, staff and physicians of Parkland and they are a wonderful group.

I called the Burn Unit this morning to see how many staff members and doctors were working today to give me an idea on how much to order.  So for today's random act of kindness I sent them 8 yummy pizzas for lunch.  I'm sure they are swamped with work, questions from media and calls from family so hopefully this will give them one less thing to think about today.  I just can't imagine seeing people in that much pain day in and day out.  Definitely takes a special kind of person.

Hope you enjoy the pizza and we appreciate all you are doing to care for your patients including our neighbors from West.

Day 108 - Lunch for BICU

Day 107 - Went Door-to-Door for Relay

Today's random act was to accomplish two goals.  First and foremost to raise money for relay but secondly to get outside my comfort zone and meet some of my neighbors.  Without getting into too much detail I am currently fasting from Facebook for 7 days (hint, hint another 7 Experiment fast).  The idea is to work more on my "real life" relationships and less on my "virtual" ones.

I also feel like the art of little kids going door-to-door is almost a lost one.  It could be for a number of reasons but today we brought it back.  I came way out of my comfort zone and the girls and I headed out after work and went through the neighborhood asking for donations to our Relay for Life team in memory of our sweet friend Ileana.  For each donation we gave them a purple Hope/Faith/Love cancer awareness bracelet and little card about our cause and Ileana.

The girls did so great and I tried to keep from tearing up when I would share Ileana's story but I think it was therapeutic and a great way for the girls to tell neighbors about their wonderful friend.  We talked to a few neighbors who shared their own stories of cancer and how it had affected their family.  It solidified our mission and goal to raise as much as we can for the American Cancer Society in loving memory of Ily.  Go Team Imagine Dragons!

Day 107 - Door-to-door for Relay

Day 106 - Went Barefoot

Today is the annual event hosted by Toms Shoes One Day Without Shoes.  One Day Without Shoes is a day to bring global awareness to children's health and education by going without shoes.

For today's random act of kindness I will be barefoot all day.  My daughters' amazing school is also participating as well as my home childcare children and the 300 ladies in our women's bible study tonight!  That's a lot of pretty toes!


Unicef estimates that out of 2.2 billion children in the world, 1 billion live in poverty, with 300 million of these kids estimated to lack a pair of adequate shoes.  One Day Without Shoes has a mission to bring awareness to these heartbreaking numbers.  Joining and supporting organizations that provide shoes to children in need can make a lasting impact.

Here are 3 great giving organizations that are making a difference:

** IMA World Health give de-worming medication along with shoes to children, helping them stay healthy with a combination of prevention and treatment.

** Goods for good provide shoes, uniforms and educational support to help children stay in school.

** Save the Children and Cambodian Children's Fund provide youth leadership programs where students help educate the community on health and hygiene and provide shoes to younger children.


Day 106 - Went barefoot

Day 105 - Rain Ponchos for Parking Volunteers

As I hear discussion about more rain coming this week I can't help but think of all the people that either work outdoors when it's raining or volunteer outdoors when it's raining.  I have been holding on to a pack of 20 rain ponchos that my mom gave me over a year ago.  I knew I could come up with a great way to utilize those ponchos so today is my opportunity.

We have an amazing, amazing group of volunteers that serve each week at our church Preston Trail.  The parking crew is the first group we see.  They are so efficient and always the same group of guys.  They probably receive very little acknowledgment but they are out there serving EVERY Sunday through the heat, freezing cold and even the rain.

So for today's random act of kindness I'm donating these 20 rain ponchos to the parking crew to use for any future rainy Sundays.  Thanks guys for all you do!!  Hope these can help keep you dry.

Day 105 - Rain ponchos to the Parking Crew