Disclaimer: Occasionally
on this here blog I feel a teeny tiny bit self conscious about posting my beliefs,
thoughts, ideas, etc... I don't know who all reads my family blog... all I know
is I push a button and it goes out there in to the universe for anyone to
read. And that's fine... it’s my choice not to make my blog
private.
But I shouldn't feel self conscious about posting my thoughts, beliefs, ideas, etc since its my blog... but nonetheless sometimes I do.
This is one of these times... mostly because it’s
something that's personal to me and something that I feel strongly
about. So I guess what I'm saying... if you think my ideas are dumb and
cheesy just don’t tell me :) ** end of disclaimer**
“What wisdom can you
find that is greater than kindness?”
--Jean
Jacques Rousseau
One of our New Year's Resolutions (which I'll post soonish... where did January go??) is to be more involved in service...
It's so important to me that my little family is thankful for what we have and to be thoughtful and caring
people. I want us all to actively participate in more service.
So I've come up
with a plan. We're going to do a planned, prepared, thought out family
service project every month for 2010... and I want it to be something
"active"... I want us to give of our time (and money).
I have to be a little bit realistic though... I
have a one year old... so I need to be able to do an activity that he can be
involved in that are safe... which right now excludes building a
playground.... there will be a time and a place for that when he's older
:)
And I want my children growing up knowing that service can be fun and
rewarding. I spent a couple of hours on the internet coming up with a big list of family service projects and narrowed it down to twelve projects
for 2010... one for each month.... we're calling our year of service Operation Team Francks.
our service projects for 2010
Our Family Mission
Statement:
“A family with a purpose is a family who knows who they are, what they stand for, and
what they want from life. They have goals and dreams and plans to make them
happen. They are families who live their lives with a purpose.”
We believe that because we have been given much we too must
give. We hope that as we find fun
and creative ways to serve that we will learn and teach compassion for
others. By serving we recognize and are grateful for all the many
blessings that our Heavenly Father has given us.
January– Haiti Hygiene kits (I had something different planned for January but after the earthquake changed our activity to help those in Haiti)
February–"Heart Attack" on a friend, neighbor, teacher or
church leader who has blessed our family. Cut out paper hearts in a variety of
colors and sizes. Write special messages on the back. Scatter the hearts (or
deliver a treat) on a front door, vehicle, etc. for the person (or family) to
find .
March- drive-thru McDonalds, Starbucks or some other drive-thru
and give the attendant a $5 bill towards the payment of
the next person in line…. We’ll do this a couple of different times and
different locations… who doesn’t love a Random Act of Kindness?
April- Welcome new neighbors. Greet people who are new to our
neighborhood (or ward) and make them feel welcome by delivering a pan of brownies.
Put together a packet that includes a map and a pamphlet of what to do around
town.
May- Leave flowers and flags on several graves at a Cemetery for
Memorial Day.
June- Pick up Trash (we'll be at the beach in Gulf Shores so we'll do our project there)
July- Donate Food. Each
time we shop for groceries, add an item to our cart to donate. When we’ve collected a bagful we'll deliver it to our
local food pantry. We all need a variety of food to live healthy lives and that
not everyone gets the nutritious food they require.
Visit the Second
Harvest website (secondharvest.org) to get contact
information for area food bank.
August- Pack school boxes for children in need (our community has done this
in the past… if they don’t do it I’ll contact a local elementary school)
September- Look for a particularly happy or
well-kept yard in our neighborhood. Write an anonymous note of thanks and
mail it or leave it secretly on the doorstep.
Express appreciation to this resident for adding beauty to our
community.
October- “Boo” neighbors and “Costumes on Parade” at a Nursing Home... (dress in costume and visit the elderly... they love seeing little kids in their costumes!)
November- Operation Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org)
December- 12 days of Christmas to a family in need who could use some
extra holiday cheer!
And of course I'll be taking a picture of each service project and at the end of the year we'll have a fun little scrapbook of our service projects. :)
If you have any cool family service ideas I'd LOVE to hear them!!!
