Here are the helps from the LDS church for the humanitarian calling. Anyone can order these to help you in your service needs.
I am going to put the pamphlets in my humanitarian donation box and encourage people to take them. They are free!
I have also ordered 2 "In the Service of Your God" DVD's and will also put those in the donation box to loan out. (I am going to put a sticker on them to remind people to return them back to the donation box in 2 weeks.) This DVD will be great to watch for Family Home Evening.
LDS Church web site for ordering supplies: http://www.ldscatalog.com/
Pure Religion Pamphlet (free) - Item number: 35510000
In the Service of Your God DVD - ($4.50 each or $1.50 each if you order 50) - Item number 54645000
Pure Religion: The Story of Welfare Since 1930 Book - ($19.75) - Item number 35247000
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Winter Hat Drive a Success!
Our November 2008 mini donation challenge was a success! We collected and delivered 103 winter hats, 5 pair of mittens and 2 scarves to Child Haven.
Look how deep the pile is! Great job!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Salvation Army Bucket - Teach Your Children to Give
Here is a really easy and simple idea for encouraging your children or grandchildren to become "Humanitarian Helpers".
During the holidays, I get a $10 roll of quarters for each of my children and keep it in my purse. When we are out running errands, my children get to put a few quarters into the Salvation Army buckets coming and going out of the store. I give them the money while we are in the car, so it feels like they are giving it all on their own.
This is a great way to teach giving to a child. There is lots of excitement in this giving because of the bell ringing and the thank yous from the Salvation Army volunteer. It is a rewarded effort every time they give. That good feeling of giving will stick with them throughout their whole life. It did for me!
During the holidays, I get a $10 roll of quarters for each of my children and keep it in my purse. When we are out running errands, my children get to put a few quarters into the Salvation Army buckets coming and going out of the store. I give them the money while we are in the car, so it feels like they are giving it all on their own.
This is a great way to teach giving to a child. There is lots of excitement in this giving because of the bell ringing and the thank yous from the Salvation Army volunteer. It is a rewarded effort every time they give. That good feeling of giving will stick with them throughout their whole life. It did for me!
Volunteering Opportunities - Where to Start?
If you want to volunteer your service, but are not really sure where, here are some links to get you on your way!
1-800-volunteer.org - is a national database of volunteer opportunities. Put in your zip code and the number of miles you're willing to travel. Narrow your search based on the programs that interest you.
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/ - Choose a country and limit your search based on the type or work and length of job. Some projects require registration fees that can range from $200 to over $2,000.
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/ - Offers volunteer opportunities for people 55 and over.
http://www.americorps.org/ - This organization will connect you to long-term service projects, from disaster relief to homelessness. Create a user profile and apply for opportunities that interest you.
www.charityguide.org/ - Charity Guide presents service projects that are entirely flexible and immediately actionable. You can volunteer whenever you want, from wherever you want, in as few as 15 minutes.
1-800-volunteer.org - is a national database of volunteer opportunities. Put in your zip code and the number of miles you're willing to travel. Narrow your search based on the programs that interest you.
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/ - Choose a country and limit your search based on the type or work and length of job. Some projects require registration fees that can range from $200 to over $2,000.
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/ - Offers volunteer opportunities for people 55 and over.
http://www.americorps.org/ - This organization will connect you to long-term service projects, from disaster relief to homelessness. Create a user profile and apply for opportunities that interest you.
www.charityguide.org/ - Charity Guide presents service projects that are entirely flexible and immediately actionable. You can volunteer whenever you want, from wherever you want, in as few as 15 minutes.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
National toy drop locations are at Babies R Us and Toys R Us. (At our Babies R Us, the drop box was by the exit door.)
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
National toy drop locations are at Babies R Us and Toys R Us. (At our Babies R Us, the drop box was by the exit door.)
Locks Of Love
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
If you decide to get 10 inches cut from your hair, you can donate your hair to Locks of Love. (I just did this during this summer and it was something that I had always wanted to do.) Here is the "How to donate" information from Locks of Love.
I took my donation to Great Clips (hair cutting salon across the US). They had me fill out a donation sheet and they sent my ponytail in for me. It was a wonderfully rewarding experience, complete with a thank you letter a few weeks later.
If you decide to get 10 inches cut from your hair, you can donate your hair to Locks of Love. (I just did this during this summer and it was something that I had always wanted to do.) Here is the "How to donate" information from Locks of Love.
I took my donation to Great Clips (hair cutting salon across the US). They had me fill out a donation sheet and they sent my ponytail in for me. It was a wonderfully rewarding experience, complete with a thank you letter a few weeks later.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Write a Thank You Letter to A Person in Our US Military
Ever wanted to give a million thanks to the men and women in our US armed forces? Well, now you can!
A Million Thanks is an organization that sends your heartfelt thank yous to our US soldiers. Here is the information from their site:
"We are asking individuals, schools, churches, and businesses around the U.S. to participate by having their students, congregations, and customers write letters, cards, email messages, or prayer messages. We will forward your appreciation message to a service man or women either active duty or retired through our many contacts. Your messages will also be delivered to many USO’s and Veteran’s Hospitals for distribution."
Mail the letters to:
A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861
IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR LETTERS!! Click here and be sure to read & follow our RULES AND GUIDELINES to avoid disqualification of your letter(s).
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
A Million Thanks is an organization that sends your heartfelt thank yous to our US soldiers. Here is the information from their site:
"We are asking individuals, schools, churches, and businesses around the U.S. to participate by having their students, congregations, and customers write letters, cards, email messages, or prayer messages. We will forward your appreciation message to a service man or women either active duty or retired through our many contacts. Your messages will also be delivered to many USO’s and Veteran’s Hospitals for distribution."
Mail the letters to:
A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861
IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR LETTERS!! Click here and be sure to read & follow our RULES AND GUIDELINES to avoid disqualification of your letter(s).
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Recycling Idea - Save Your Soda Pop Can Tabs!
The Ronald McDonald House gladly accepts your pop tabs! They are a charitable organization all over the country. They have a living facility for families to stay in that have children in a nearby hospital. The stay is only $10 per night, but they will never turn a family in need away.
Here is what the Las Vegas, NV Ronald McDonald House says about their collections: "The little, seemingly insignificant tab you pull to open your aluminum cans is like gold to the Ronald McDonald House. We collect these pop tabs, recycle them, and the proceeds go directly to Ronald McDonald House families. When family needs assistance with travel costs, clothing and hygiene items, or the costs associated with the death of a child, our Pop Tab funds are there to help."
1.) Pull the tab off any aluminum can.
2.) Collect the tabs.
3.) Drop the tabs off or mail them to:
The Ronald McDonald House
2323 Potosi St.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Office Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM everyday
Office Phone: (702) 252-4663
Here is a flyer for you to print if you would like to collect tabs in your local school, church or community group. Pop Tab Flyer
Anyone can lead or participate in this easy and rewarding service project! Cheers!
Here is what the Las Vegas, NV Ronald McDonald House says about their collections: "The little, seemingly insignificant tab you pull to open your aluminum cans is like gold to the Ronald McDonald House. We collect these pop tabs, recycle them, and the proceeds go directly to Ronald McDonald House families. When family needs assistance with travel costs, clothing and hygiene items, or the costs associated with the death of a child, our Pop Tab funds are there to help."
1.) Pull the tab off any aluminum can.
2.) Collect the tabs.
3.) Drop the tabs off or mail them to:
The Ronald McDonald House
2323 Potosi St.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Office Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM everyday
Office Phone: (702) 252-4663
Here is a flyer for you to print if you would like to collect tabs in your local school, church or community group. Pop Tab Flyer
Anyone can lead or participate in this easy and rewarding service project! Cheers!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Humanitarian Leaders - Make Donating Items Easy
Here is one key to a successful donation drive. Make donating items very easy for the participants. In my group, I keep a donation box on my porch. Everyone knows that they can leave any donations at any time. It just hides behind a pillar on my porch. I weight it down with a brick inside, so nothing will blow away. I also used containers that have lids that snap shut.
I also take a donation box to my church every week. It goes in our Relief Society room for all three of our meetings. Again, everyone knows that it will be there every week.
We have donation challenges, so we have donations coming in all of the time. These two drop off locations create predictability and organization for everyone involved. It makes giving really easy!
I have two sizes of donation boxes. A smaller one for compact donations (such as winter hats) and a bigger one for bulkier donations (such as games).
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Muslin Dolls - Easy Handmade Donations
The largest pediatric hospital in Las Vegas, NV, Sunrise Hospital, is in need of handmade muslin dolls. They use these dolls for medical play with the children. They can express their feelings, explain physical pain and learn about procedures to be done on them with these donated dolls. All children that are admitted to the hospital have the opportunity to use the muslin dolls.
1. The directions are on the pattern. Contact Sunrise Children's Hospital for the pattern.
2. They do not want anything on the dolls, so the children can be creative with them.
3. They need all different skin colors for the dolls.
If you live out of state, these would be very easy and lightweight to ship. The contact information is as follows:
Contact: Jody Bardoun -- Child Life Specialist, Sunrise Hospital
E-mail: Jody.Bardoun@hcahealthcare.com
Phone: 731-8961
Work Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Address: Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
3186 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Drop Off Items: You can drop of the items anytime in the Children’s Hospital Lobby. Just mark the items for “Child Life”. The ladies at the information desk can pass them along to the Child Life department.
This would be a great project to teach your children to sew these simple dolls and to give service to another child.
1. The directions are on the pattern. Contact Sunrise Children's Hospital for the pattern.
2. They do not want anything on the dolls, so the children can be creative with them.
3. They need all different skin colors for the dolls.
If you live out of state, these would be very easy and lightweight to ship. The contact information is as follows:
Contact: Jody Bardoun -- Child Life Specialist, Sunrise Hospital
E-mail: Jody.Bardoun@hcahealthcare.com
Phone: 731-8961
Work Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Address: Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
3186 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Drop Off Items: You can drop of the items anytime in the Children’s Hospital Lobby. Just mark the items for “Child Life”. The ladies at the information desk can pass them along to the Child Life department.
This would be a great project to teach your children to sew these simple dolls and to give service to another child.
Warm & Cozy Tied Blankets are Needed
Sunrise Hospital Children’s Care is also in need of tied blankets!
Jody said: “If you have anyone interested in making tied blankets we are in need of warm and fuzzy blankets for children of all ages.”
Contact: Jody Bardoun -- Child Life Specialist, Sunrise Hospital
E-mail: Jody.Bardoun@hcahealthcare.com
Phone: 731-8961
Work Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Address: Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
3186 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Drop Off Items: You can drop of the items anytime in the Children’s Hospital Lobby. Just mark the items for “Child Life”. The ladies at the information desk can pass them along to the Child Life department.
Jody said: “If you have anyone interested in making tied blankets we are in need of warm and fuzzy blankets for children of all ages.”
Contact: Jody Bardoun -- Child Life Specialist, Sunrise Hospital
E-mail: Jody.Bardoun@hcahealthcare.com
Phone: 731-8961
Work Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Address: Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
3186 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Drop Off Items: You can drop of the items anytime in the Children’s Hospital Lobby. Just mark the items for “Child Life”. The ladies at the information desk can pass them along to the Child Life department.
Recycling Humanitarian Opportunities
We certainly do not have to purchase or make something to further our humanitarian efforts. Sometimes we can just look around our home! Here are some ideas for you or the group that you are working with.
1. Donate your old prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses: http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/eyeglasses-donation.htm
2. Collect unused toiletries from vacations or business trips. Use these to make hygiene kits for local shelters that are in need.
3. Donate your used books to the library. Did you know that you can donate your used books to the library and it is tax-deductible? They will give you a receipt for your items at the circulation desk when you give them your books. If it is a new or popular book, they will put them on their bookshelves! (They were so happy when I gave them my Twilight series, because they are in such demand!) If they don't put the books in circulation, they sell them for library funds.
There are many other posts on this blog about recycling projects for humanitarian opportunities.
1. Donate your old prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses: http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/eyeglasses-donation.htm
2. Collect unused toiletries from vacations or business trips. Use these to make hygiene kits for local shelters that are in need.
3. Donate your used books to the library. Did you know that you can donate your used books to the library and it is tax-deductible? They will give you a receipt for your items at the circulation desk when you give them your books. If it is a new or popular book, they will put them on their bookshelves! (They were so happy when I gave them my Twilight series, because they are in such demand!) If they don't put the books in circulation, they sell them for library funds.
There are many other posts on this blog about recycling projects for humanitarian opportunities.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
"Spread the Word" - Literacy Organization in Henderson, NV
Spread the Word
Spread the Word is a literacy charitable organization operated out of Henderson. I spoke with Lisa, the director, and enjoyed her passion for her job and the children that they serve. They have been operating 8 years. They take 2 new schools on each year and now have 16 low income schools. They give a canvas bag to each child in that school with 5 books in it to start their “home library”. Then, they get a new book each month. A lot of these books go into homes that do not speak English by the parents. So, it is a literacy campaign, as well as an English language campaign.
How Your Organization Can Help:
They need new or gently used books for elementary aged children. They just gave away their 1.5 millionth book!
You can drop off gently used book to help fight illiteracy at any Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Henderson, NV or Las Vegas, NV
They also need volunteer groups to have book cleaning parties. (They will bring the books to your church group.) You check the books to see if all of the pages are there, repair books and clean book covers. Any group can help Spread the Word. Since I am working with an LDS group, this would be an activity for any organization in an LDS ward – pack meetings, cub scouts, primary activity days, YM/YW, Elders or HP service project, RS enrichment night, ward activity night etc. etc. – They do need adults to help with this project, so the kids could not be the only ones doing the work!
They also need volunteers to serve breakfast each month at different schools.
They need volunteer readers to read one on one with the children at the schools.
If you are interested in learning more about Spread the Word, how you can help with a cleaning party, or anything else please contact info@spreadthewordnevada.org I spoke with Lisa, the director, at 702-564-7809. They are a WONDERFUL organization with very kind and organized leadership.
Spread the Word is a literacy charitable organization operated out of Henderson. I spoke with Lisa, the director, and enjoyed her passion for her job and the children that they serve. They have been operating 8 years. They take 2 new schools on each year and now have 16 low income schools. They give a canvas bag to each child in that school with 5 books in it to start their “home library”. Then, they get a new book each month. A lot of these books go into homes that do not speak English by the parents. So, it is a literacy campaign, as well as an English language campaign.
How Your Organization Can Help:
They need new or gently used books for elementary aged children. They just gave away their 1.5 millionth book!
You can drop off gently used book to help fight illiteracy at any Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Henderson, NV or Las Vegas, NV
They also need volunteer groups to have book cleaning parties. (They will bring the books to your church group.) You check the books to see if all of the pages are there, repair books and clean book covers. Any group can help Spread the Word. Since I am working with an LDS group, this would be an activity for any organization in an LDS ward – pack meetings, cub scouts, primary activity days, YM/YW, Elders or HP service project, RS enrichment night, ward activity night etc. etc. – They do need adults to help with this project, so the kids could not be the only ones doing the work!
They also need volunteers to serve breakfast each month at different schools.
They need volunteer readers to read one on one with the children at the schools.
If you are interested in learning more about Spread the Word, how you can help with a cleaning party, or anything else please contact info@spreadthewordnevada.org I spoke with Lisa, the director, at 702-564-7809. They are a WONDERFUL organization with very kind and organized leadership.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)