hangin' out to help haiti

the kids are always wanting to have late-overs with their friends, and one of my goals this year was to do a major family service project once a month... so i decided to combine the two and let addison and landon invite their friends to gather with us and have a fun night where our focus was on the people of haiti as we made hygiene kits.

each child was asked to contribute toothbrushes and combs, and we provided washcloths, toothpaste and soap. it was so heartwarming to watch each child arrive with their sack full of goodies to put in the kits.

after the kids filled their bellies with some dinner, we gathered in the family room. we discussed the situation in haiti and talked about how blessed we are and how others need our help right now, then we watched a humanitarian video by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. i had goosebumps all over as i observed the kids quietly and reverently watching the video... there was a definite spirit in the room touching their hearts. one child of mine in particular was apprehensive about showing the video since not all the kids were members of our faith... but i assured her that there was nothing offensive in banding together for a common good, and that it may even be an opportunity to open the door in sharing her faith with others. love for mankind is the only common belief you need to have to give service to others.

we then divided the kids into groups-
sixth grade girls put washcloths in the bags
sixth grade boys did bars of soap
fourth grade boys did toothpaste and toothbrushes
and
third grade boys did the combs




after everyone had finished their jobs, we took a picture with our completed kits. i think the kids were really proud of their accomplishments and the enthusiasm in the house was pretty exciting! they were rewarded with happy feelings... and some sweets. then the different age groups went their seperate ways watching movies, playing games, and raising all sorts of craziness.
bless their hearts.
***

kids (& baby)-

23

hygiene kits assembled-

100

food consumed-

34 waters

8 pizza's

3 bundles of celery

lg. bag of carrots

24 cookies

15 brownies

25 laffy taffy ropes

***

this is the video we watched...

it's only a little over ten minutes long,

A MUST SEE!

ATTA WAY KIDS!!

THANK YOU for...

all the donations brought by the children,

soap and toothpaste donated by Melaleuca,

extra supplies purchased

from Mandalay International

and kindly picked up by mama belinda,

crying all evening by the leprechaun,

&

moral support by papa bear.