A way to give

This time of year, life gets busy. School programs, soccer games, rehearsals, homework, family gatherings, holiday events, shopping, winter preparation, sick days, the list goes on. It's easy to get caught up in ourselves. I know, because I seem to do it every year.

If you know me at all (or have even read 2 sentences of any of my posts) you know I adore my family. Yep, every single one of them. Here's just one example of why they are so awesome. Heidi, my lovely sister-in-law and her husband (who kind of looks like Jeff) have taken nine different foster children into their home in the last couple of years. They worked through The Christmas Box House to help these children have a safe haven during their transition periods. The last child they cared for, they brought home from the hospital after his birth, and have now closed the adoption and are sealed to him forever. It's obvious why they feel a desire to do something to help this organization.

So, here is your opportunity to do some good for someone else amidst all the craziness, even before a lot of it begins (good timing, right?).

Heidi is working to collect a large number of hygiene items to assemble kits that will go to children as they transition from one home to another. She is in need of these items:

Children kits:

Child size toothbrush

Children’s toothpaste (full-size)

Children’s shampoo w/conditioner (2 in 1)

Sensitive Skin body wash or full-size bar of Sensitive Skin soap

Comb

Teen kids:

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body Wash or full size bar of soap

Deoderant

Brush or comb

She has already received some items, but in this case, more is better! Many of these items are available at the dollar store (toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, etc), sometimes several in a package. Other things will be cheaper elsewhere. If you are a couponer, you probably have loads of that super-bargain shampoo or free toothpaste and brushes in your storage area. Now's the time to use them! If it's easier to donate money, she (or myself) is happy to go and buy what we need to even the amounts up to complete the most number of kits possible.

This is a great chance to let the kids go shopping with you to pick out the items, knowing they are going to children in need. Children that don't have nearly what we have.

Heidi is working hard to gather everything before Thanksgiving, in a hope to assemble the day after. She'll need help putting them together too, so if you're up for the task on that day, that's another GREAT way to put your little one's hands (and your own) to work to help others. What a great time of year this is!

Here's Heidi's post about this project, where she's offering up her own fresh produce from her garden in appreciation for all donations. Not sure if there are still tomatoes out there, but if not, you could put in an order for next year, I'm sure. She's quite easy to work with. Like I said, my family is great.

Feel free to email me, or Heidi herself, if you have questions. I'm happy to pick up and deliver things to her house, or like I said, if money is easier, send a check. It will definitely go where it's needed most. Believe me, we know how to stretch a dollar.

Thanks to Heidi for providing an opportunity to start out our holiday season remembering what it's really all about.