Help for Haiti...

There are so many people reaching out to help the people in Haiti. I think all of us are yearning to do something--anything--but giving money just feels so... not enough. I think we all wish we could actually send bottles of water or open our home for awhile. For most of us, giving financially is one of the only things we can do. I spent some time investigating which charities were the best to contribute through, right now, to help in Haiti. Keep in mind that most of these charities have their own focus and mission in Haiti, and you may want to choose the charity that applies to the area where you would serve directly, if you could.

All of the following charities all have a Four Star Charity Rating.

Action Against Hunger USA --Already on the ground when the earthquake hit, this is a great organization if you'd like to contribute to the urgent need for food and water in Haiti. They are working to provide water to 35,000 residents and refugees from the quake, as well as basic sanitation supplies.

Unicef -- If you are drawn to the plight of the children in Haiti, then there is no better organization in the world than Unicef. 100% of your donation will go directly to caring for children. Since almost 50% of Haiti's population are children under the age of 18, who are particularly susceptible to disease and malnutrition, it is essential to get these children food, water, shelter, and reconnect them with their families.

Doctors Without Borders -- I have really come to admire Doctors Without Borders for the work that I've watched them do in the Darfur region of Sudan. They are truly courageous, amazing people who do amazing work. I've been really, really touched by their desperate need in Haiti. They are still working to save the critically injured in the most awful circumstances. Performing surgeries out in the open. Trying to save lives without equipment. If you want to help the people that were injured in the quake, then please--give here.

There are so many more amazing, worthwhile charities that you can give to, or rather--give through. For more information, please visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/.

Of course, I find myself closing my eyes and just praying a lot. Praying for the people on the ground, who are able to do and be what I am not. For the people still worrying and wondering about family members. For children who have lost their parents, and parents who have lost their children.

It's the most I can do.

Operation Sandwich

Christmas is such a great time for serving. When I was younger, I loved to do any number of services, any time of year, but one of my favorites was to go caroling at rest homes. I have to admit that taking my children to a rest home is daunting now. Not even so much because of the kids, but because when I hold hands with the very old, I look down and sometimes--for a fleeting second--I can't tell which hands are mine. And that is sobering.

Although it's true that our kids would definitely find some way to wreak havoc at a place of comfort and quiet.

So, we are trying to work in appropriate service behavior, trying to prep our kids for trips to the rest home to sing. What service is. How we do it. And why we love it.

Those things are SO much easier to teach if you get friends involved, and today we did that.

Today, we made sandwiches for a place that needs 800. Every.single.day. Sure, after two seconds, and the realization that the sandwiches weren't actually to be personally consumed, Thing 2 announced "Actually, I no want make sandwiches." But service was being done, you know, in his proximity.

And when all is said and done, I'm continually amazed and humbled by the simple fact that if there is a need, and you ask people to help... they will.

To the tune of 150 sandwiches.

And that is amazing.

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?... Service

Every year, around this time, I start thinking about Christmas.

It isn't just because it's blazing hot and humid outside and I'm wishing for cuddly sweater days and hot chocolate.... mmmmm.... sweater days and hot chocolate.....

Oh, uh--no. That's not why I start thinking about Christmas at the beginning of summer. It's because, every year, my (incredible) in-laws ask for their children and grandchildren to do a service project as their Christmas gift to them. In an effort to make it something truly meaningful, both for them and for us, I need to get the wheels turning about 6 months beforehand.

I want it to be something worthwhile, but do-able. Do-able gets trickier when you want to involve your three tiny kids, which I do. I want them to remember the experience and how they felt. I want it to be a true service--something needful--that hopefully will bless people in our community.

I'm on the hunt for this year's project, but in the meantime, definitely finding lots of great ideas. Would you like to get into the spirit of Christmas, with us? Here are a few of my favorite volunteer websites:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/ "Where volunteering begins..."
I love VolunteerMatch because you can put in your zip code, and search for opportunities close by. You can choose to see service opportunities for groups, teens, kids, families, or by type of opportunity--education, special needs, elderly, women and children, etc. This is where you can go to sign up to help with Special Olympics, volunteer for an Avon or Komen cancer walk, or even find volunteer opportunities that you can do from your home.

http://www.colorasmile.org/ "Our goal is to make people smile..."
I love this one, because it's PERFECT for kids. You have your kids color a drawing and write their name and age on the front, then send it in and they distribute these pictures to rest homes, shut-ins, and care facilities. They have coloring pages you can print out, or let your kids use their imaginations. Easy!!

http://www.doonenicething.com/ "Every Monday do at least one nice thing for someone..."
This is a brilliant idea. Every Monday, they post something for you to do that day, or just take on the challenge and do an extra service for someone that day. If everyone in the world were looking to serve someone on Monday instead of thinking about themselves, how different would this world be???