To Remind Myself

I recently designed a cover for my phone to reflect the things I love - music and service.  It's funny, but I can be frustrated, in a bad mood, or acting badly, and then I pick up my phone and read the words on the cover.  It really helps to change my attitude.  I love how my phone reminds me to be anxiously engaged in a good cause!

Finding Local Needs

Today is my 36th birthday, and I had planned on going forward with organizing a project to assemble LDS Humanitarian Hygiene Kits once more this year.  However, my mother-in-law called this morning to wish me many happy returns, and as we spoke she stopped us in the middle of our conversation because she felt impressed to tell me something and didn't want it to go out of her mind.  She then told me that she couldn't quite remember how she heard it, but that she remembered hearing something about how the LDS Church was changing their approach on how some types of kits were assembled.  As a result of this, I decided to make sure to check my facts before putting out the call for donations.  I couldn't find any recent information online, but then I found a phone number that put me in touch with the LDS Humanitarian Aid Center.  I spoke with someone there, and they affirmed that the Church is now encouraging members to find local needs if they would like to organize a project.  They were finding that they were having to go through all of the kits that had been donated by different efforts to check and make sure that they were to the exact specifications - and many of them weren't.  (not my kits though!!  you all know I followed the guidelines.)  :)

So if you're looking to donate on a more global level, doing it financially to the LDS Church's Humanitarian Aid fund is the best way to do that.  They then get supplies and money to where they need to go in the most efficient way.  Otherwise, they are encouraging members to find the local needs of the surrounding communities and find out ways to help them.

This puts me back to square one - hmmmmmm, what do I do?  I will do my best to figure this out in the next couple of days.  I am open to suggestions!

This summer I ended up making a label for our not-very-fancy jar to collect change for my birthday charity effort.  Here are some pics!

Change for Charity

This year my husband and I decided to take whatever amount was in our "change jar" and dedicate that to the hygiene kit project.  It ended up being a lot more than we had guessed, and I thought, "Why don't I make a jar or can labeled "Change for Charity" to put on my counter where we can put our spare change during the year and then use for the hygiene kit project?"  I haven't designed my label yet, but when I do I'll share it so that if it's something you'd like to do - either for this project or for other charities you support - you can use the label.  It might not happen for a few months until we're settled in after we move though. 

Also, if doing something like this happens to be a particular talent of yours and this sparks your interest, I would be thrilled if you emailed me a design to consider!

I think the name could also apply to the change that happens in our hearts as we serve others.  Cool double meaning!

However I get the design, I'm excited about my future "Change for Charity" container!

This is our current jar.  I'm thinking I'd like the new one to be bigger, and also be something you couldn't see through.

Humanitarian Efforts

Here is a GREAT LINK telling about what my church does as far as humanitarian efforts.  If you scroll down to where it says "how you can help", the hygiene kits are under that, along with the other types of humanitarian kits that can be assembled.

Special Delivery

My husband delivered the hygiene kits to the LDS Bishops' Storehouse today!  From there the kits will be transported to Salt Lake City and they will be shipped to their final destination from there.  He said they were so excited about the kits, and they said, "Tell your wife that we love her!"  And I hope all those who helped with this project know that it really means they love all of you too!

I'm not in any of the car loading pics, but I did help load boxes into the car.  :)

Assembled!

My friend A. came over on Friday February 10th to help me set up and organize the items so that they'd be all ready to assemble.  It was fun to do that part with a friend and I'm so grateful that she came over!

On Saturday February 11th, many of my friends joined me and my family to assemble the hygiene kits - we had a wonderful time!  Thank you to all who joined in making this project a success!  I LOVE YOU!! 

My friend E. organized the food for the event, so after we assembled the kits we enjoyed delicious food and conversation.  C. provided the birthday banner and made a birthday card for me that everyone signed - it was a lovely evening!  I will miss these friends so much when I move.  During the evening they talked about coming to where I am next year to help me with the project again - I DO hope that will work for you all! 

We now have 153 Hygiene Kits that will go somewhere in the world where people desperately need them.  Thank you!

New Donation Total

An additional $90.00 worth of donations have come in, bringing the grand total to $640.24!  Thank you again to all who contributed!!  Anything beyond our costs for this year will be put towards next year's project.