Project 17

HEARTS FOR HAITI

What We Did:

We wanted to try to raise a bit of money for Haiti in their time of need, so we created little Valentine's Day  flower pots to sell.  We painted some aluminum cans and tied a strip of scrap fabric around each and then hot glued  small painted cardboard hearts onto the fabric.  We drilled some dain holes in the bottom and planted a spring flower in each. The signs are just painted cardboard cutout hears taped to bbq skewers.  We set the flower pots up for donation before and after church.

How Long it Took:
This one took a while.  With the help of my sister and her pre-teen kids our family managed the whole thing in about 3-4 hrs.

How Much it Cost:
$4 for the flowers.  We raised $38 for Haiti :)

Would We Do It Again?
We would.  We all felt good about creating something beautiful together and raising some money for people in need.

Next Time:I'd make location arrangements earlier and give advanced notice to the buying audience.  I think this would be a fun idea for Easter and plant wheatgrass.  Maybe try to set up next to a Farmer's Market?

References:
http://www.uusc.org/content/major_earthquake_devastates_haiti_uusc_uua_launch_relief_fund

Project 16

LESS TRASH- For one week

What We Did:
After watching another week of the garbages truck going up and down our street we decided to try to not buy anything that would end up in a landfill for one week.  We felt that we could serve Mother Earth (including all of those that rely on her) by consuming less waste and reducing the effect of their production. We tried to include all package groceries, toys, products, to-go containers, ect.

How Long it Took:
A few minutes or thinking ahead, creative improvising and however long it took us to get over going without.

How Much it Cost:
This one saves you money :)

Would We Do It Again?
Yes.  This service project made us much more mindful of the amount of trash that we produce and helped us find more creative ways to reduce our waste and be kind to the earth. Ruby said that she really liked this project but didn't want to do it again for a while :)

Next Time:
Be OK with inconsistancies!

References:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill

Project 15

BEGGING HIS BREAD

What We Did:

On the way home from the park we drove past a elderly man begging for money.  The man reminded us of Giovanni from The Clown of God and we felt like we could help, if only a little.  We drove home and filled a bag with some nurishment (oranges, almonds, raisins, rice milk and some cookie dough from the fridge) for this man.  Ruby and Max also wanted to include some money from their allowance.  I through in some toothpaste and floss but sheepishly pulled them out with the almonds and raisons when we realized he didn't have any teeth.

How Long it Took:
20 minute

How Much it Cost:
A few things from our cupboard and $3.25.


Would We Do It Again?
Yes, keeping in mind what we learned this time.


Next Time:
Many people begging do not have many teeth, so nuts and raisons are worthless to them.  In the future I'd love to have a few little kits already assembled in our car to hand out to people begging. 


References:

Project 14

RECYCLE KIDS ART PROJECTS

Recycle Kids Art Projects Into Children's Hospital Greeting Cards

What We Did:

Oh, what to do with those wonderfully artistic pictures that you don't want to throw away but --wow -- how many can you save?  With three little kids we have a large stash.  So this idea is one of my new favorites. We transformed 4 paintings into 10 colorful greeting cards for children in the hospital.  I wrote "inspiring" messages on the inside of the cards and the kids added some more color.  We followed the instructions on making approprate cards for patients at  the Los Angeles Children's Hospital and dropped them in the mail to hopefully brighten a child's day.

How Long it Took:
Maybe about an four five minutes with cutting included.

How Much it Cost:
$2.40 on postage

Would We Do It Again?
Yes! . . . I just love the idea of a young patient getting a little card sent up to their room with their meal.  It was supper easy, rewarding for all of us, inexpensive and it cuts down on clutter.  We took digital photos of their work just so it wasn't too hard to let go of.

Next Time:

References:
I'm sure that most Children' Hospitals have similar programs.  I have a fondness, for many reasons, to this one in L.A.
http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.4952897/k.93A4/Greeting_Cards_for_Patients.htm

Project 13

TRAIL BEAUTIFICATION

What We Did:
We packed a plastic grocery sack in with our picnic and headed down the Bob Jones Bike Trail to pick up litter on the trail.  .The kids found plenty of litter along the path and had a nice trash bag for their own trash.

How Long it Took:

Well, the bike ride took about 2 hours but I can't say we spent more than 15 minutes picking up trash.

How Much it Cost:
$0

Would We Do It Again?
Yes . . .  It was so easy and at the end it felt good to put all that litter in a trash receptacle..

Next Time:
Bring along hand sanitizer!

Project 12

CARDS FOR THE CARDLESS

What We Did:
Here is a great project to tuck away for the holidays next year. 

You know how fun it is to get holiday cards in the mail?  Yeah, well some people don't.  So we printed 30 extra Holiday Cards to personalize and send to people in our community who need to be remembered during the season. Sadly, we just never got around to getting the cards out :( We learned again that the trick (as with all holiday cards) is to START EARLY!

How Long it Took:

It would've taken us about 45 minutes once we got all the addresses.

How Much it Cost:
About five dollars for printing and then stamps for 30 cards, about 15 dollars in all.

Would We Do It Again?
Yes . . . for the first time.  It's not much extra work if you're already writing up your holiday cards.

Next Time:
Start earlier -- like Thanksgiving!

References:
Community or church leaders seem to know those who tend to get overlooked.  Senior care facilities are a good bet too. 

Project 11

PLAYING SANTA

What We Did:

We let each child choose a new toy, walked it over to a Toys For Tots Drop Box and dropped the toys in.  Easy! 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.

How Long it Took:
45 minutes
How Much it Cost:
The minimum toy value for this drive is $10 per gift.  We found a store that was having an amazing sale and just let the kids play santa and give what they most wanted.

Would We Do It Again?
Yes...It is just fun and easy.  In our town the drop off boxes are very conveniently located.  The kids loved  the idea of playing Santa and really enjoyed scouring over the toy store.  Jane rode the hobby horse she choose all the way to the drop-box, gave it a kiss and put it in.

Next Time:
We wouldn't chance much.

References:
To find a Drop-Off Box near you, http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.asp
To learn more about the program, http://www.toysfortots.org/