The Mother's Day Project is well under way and from where I stand, things are coming together nicely. I am eager to see the amazing things that will come together to make this project a success again this year.
Here are a few updates that you might be interested to know...
1. In my day to day travels, I have noticed that Target and Michael's both have a nice selection of appropriate bag items in their dollar bin areas. Michaels has sadly raised their prices to $1.50 for most items but that is still a reasonable price.
2. Target is carrying the Mother's Day bags this year in their dollar bin area.
I grab every one that I can find when I happen by our local Targets. If you see any more, would you grab them? Please leave a comment if you need reimbursement for these bags.
3. I am looking for someone who might be able to contact Chick-Fil- A on behalf of our foundation. It has come to my attention that they are giving away a book that a Mom and child can create together in their kid meals. Klutz is the publisher of the book. I need someone who might take on the task of seeing about getting some of these donated and/or purchased by Chick-Fil-A or Klutz. They are really sweet. Again, leave a comment if this task is of interest to you.
4. I am also pursuing the possibility of having a volunteer staged here at my house for the BIG Stuffing Week. I was hoping to have a person in charge of opening the door, greeting volunteers, and getting them started on the tasks that are needed to be done.
If you have availability the week of April 30- May 4th during the day and are willing to camp out here at my house for a few hours at a time, please leave a comment or email me and let me know.
5. Are you available that week to stuff bags? Please leave a comment or email me the days and times that you are available to stuff. I am putting together a schedule now. I need to make good use of our time and I am hoping to get a few people together at the same dates/times.
6. Just a few tips if you are new to this project...
You really can donate just one item. All items collectively work together for a greater purpose and accomplish amazing things. Imagine the possibility of making a difference to just one human heart, it matters. Yes, one roll of lifesavers will be appreciated and bless a mom in need.
You can make a bag in memory or in honor of a special person in your life. You can fill the bag with items that remind you of that person. This bag can be different from other bags because these are not conference bags. The moms will not take opportunities to compare the contents of their bags.
You can donate a variety of objects or several of the same item. For example, maybe you have a ten dollar budget. You can send along ten notebook/journals or you can send ten different items, maybe a journal, a pen, a word search book, etc.
Trust me...this is one of the most amazing things to witness come together. In the past three years, there has never been an overabundance of one item and a complete deficit of others.
The economy has been hard on a lot of families...we are in need of time, talent, and treasures. I need help with stuffing, writing letters of encouragement, prayers, and also shopping, etc. In years past, I have received monetary donations and need shoppers to purchase items for the bags. There are plenty of ways to be involved. Don't let a lack of funds stop you from being part of this project.
The number one question that I am often asked is "What do you need? What should I donate?" There are endless possibilities of contents to be placed in the bags. Listen to your heart, follow your nudges, suggest items that are comforting to your own heart on a bad day, etc.
Do you turn to Starbucks on a bad day? Maybe a small gift card to Starbucks would bless a fellow coffee lover.
Do you turn to a hot bath and the latest issue of a favorite magazine? Bath salts, bubble bath, scented soaps, books, magazines, and lotions might bless someone.
Do you love to get lost in a good story? Maybe pass along a copy of your favorite book. In general, books with small short encouraging stories, like the Chicken Soup series, are always useful.
How about a good movie? Walmart often has good movies in the $5 bin
Are you like me and find comfort and inspiration in music? Cds and Itunes gift cards might be the answer that you land upon.
There is a subway restaurant within the hospital. Gift cards for the mom to grab a sandwich would also be a blessing.
There were days that I did not have the opportunity to shower. I felt disgusting...How did I cope?
I was gifted travel sized toiletries like deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and smelly lotion. An added bonus was mascara, lip gloss, gum, and breath mints. There were so many people in the hospital to talk with on a daily basis but who wants to have an intelligent conversation while sporting fuzzy teeth and stinky breath? I think overall, the doctors understood my place in the world but I did feel better about myself when these items were available for me to use. I was blessed to be in my own community where my family and friends could be an amazing support to me. Others come from all over our country and the world to receive medical treatment. These moms have NO ONE to love on them while they are here with their child.
I have long hair. On the second or third day of no shower or without the time to dry and style my hair, I often turned to clips and hair bands for a
stylish updo or ponytail.
If you know me, you know I cry. Soft tissues were an absolute essential.
I spent hours on word searches. They were mindless and could be done even with the many interruptions throughout my time at Jeremy's bedside. Did I mention, that I could never find a pen? Those are always welcomed additions to the bags.
How about notepaper or journals for the moms to record important information or to even journal through their thoughts.
Prayer shawls, other homemade items, and handwritten notes of love and encouragement meant the world to me. I saved every one and they covered the walls of Jeremy's inpatient room. Don't ever underestimate the power that our human hearts have to love on one another, even strangers. Are you crafty? What might you be able to make that would be a blessing to someone else? Some of my favorites were scarves, blankets, bookmarks, note cards, cd's of inspirational music for me and for Jeremy to listen to...
I thank you for the interest in this year's project-together we will make a difference in the hearts of many moms who are in need of our love. Please feel to leave comments or contact me if you have any further questions.
