I Was wondering if any of you have done anything cool around the holidays or just any time to help those in need. To be more specific, my friend and I want to do something that takes time or energy-not just money. Like donating for toys for tots or the rescue missions is good- but we are wanting to do something more hands on. Like he is going to the children's hospital with his sunday school class and last year his roommate took turkeys to a trailer park for those who could not afford. I just wondered if anyone else had any ideas?

Glad you asked...

As a mother of a terminally ill child who passed away 10 years ago, we spent a LOT of time in the hospital and at times for long stretches.

You want to know what I remember the most out of all those times?

There was a guy (single w/no children so I thought "what a guy!") who came to the hospital (the Children's hopt.) every Sunday w/a cart that had different kinds of ice cream and various toppings and syrups. He would go room to room and ask each kid and their parent what they would like. He would make it with a smile and leave us all giddy w/the treat.

Now if you do like this idea, you have to check w/the hopt first and you might want to include some sugar free stuff for the kids who are diabetic.

The Children's Hopt. in Dallas is LARGE so if your's is large as well, you could pick the floor where the kids stay the longest like the Hematology/Oncology floor (cancer patients). This might scare you at first but let me tell you, you will walk away w/a renewed look on life. I think everybody should visit these kids just to where they can get perspective. You will never take advantage of you kids again and you will see how short life can be, etc. These kids are FANTASTIC. Some you wouldn't even know are sick except for the IVs and lack of hair. They will be so happy that someone stopped by and cares even though they don't know you.

Another thing was the "craft cart ladies." These were older ladies who would come around w/a cart of various crafts and the kids would get to look to see what they would like to make that day. The crafts would range from construction paper that they had already cut out w/instructions on how to make, for instance, a Santa Claus, to tape to the wall of their room or hang from the ceiling to a little box of colors w/a couple of cartoon pages that had been copied to color to beads and string to make a bracelet. I would recommend happy, inspirational stuff -- snowflakes, butterflies, friendship bracelets, etc.

It is so nice of you to want to do something like this -- one-on-one is so much more for the kids than $$. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

<small>[ November 14, 2003, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: SoDisappointed ]</small>

My daughters belong to a high school group that goes year-round to a mini-mall parking lot with a large pot of soup, bread, powerade, cups (used for both drink & soup) & spoons and feeds the homeless in that area every Sunday. The group has been going almost 2 years. Not a lot of expense, but it does require time and commitment...and the permission of the mini-mall manager.

So Disappointed, I am sorry about your child. That is terrific about the ice cream man!
These are Great ideas -thanks and keep them coming!

<small>[ November 14, 2003, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: adgirl48 ]</small>

There are several things our church youth group does that don't require a lot of money.

Sandwiches for the homeless: Find a shelter or organization in your community that offers food to the hungry, and if they don't have one already (which they probably do) suggest a sandwich ministry. Our church makes about 500 sandwiches, one day a month, and takes them and hands them out. (No they don't only eat one day a month; other organizations volunteer for the rest of the month <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> )

Care Center/Eldercare ministry: Visit the people in your local care center and "old folks home". The one we go to allows and encourages us to bring our pets and let the residents sit and play with our dogs, cats, reptiles, etc. while we visit.

Another one we do this time of year is to sponsor a couple of "child care evenings". We allow parents to drop off their kids on a Friday or Saturday night for a few hours, while Mom and Dad go out. This time of year, especially, this is welcome, as it allows parents time to shop for Christmas stuff together, while the kid's aren't around, and it doesn't add to the cost of Christmas.

If I think of some more I'll post them later.

Good Luck!

Oscar

<small>[ November 14, 2003, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: OtG ]</small>

adgirl48,

How about help your local county suicide hotline ?. I am start the training soon and be ready for holiday and beyond. It is youth suicide hotline.

I have a chance to present MB concepts to Divorce Care and Relationship Building group in my church for the months of Dec. meeting. I think the R pastor in my church like MB so much and he starts using it in his counseling <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> .

-rh-

Redhat,
That is great about getting to teach the MB principles at your church. Thanks for the idea about the suicide hotline, but I don't think I can do that. Too sensitive an area for me- my dad's ex-girlfriend was bi-polar and jumped off a bridge and killed herself a couple of years ago.
You would think that might make me want to help others in her situation, but it really makes me want to stay away- I guess it just scares me.
Thanks though! I think it is great that you are doing it.