Operation: Team Francks

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!!!