Pass It On - The Gift of Used Books

Donate your used books to your local library!  If you are finished enjoying your book there are others in your community that will benefit from the gift of your books. 


If your library doesn't need your used books. search at Donation Town (donationtown.org) for charities that do.  Donation Town is a national network of charities that provide free pickup service.  

Help your public library THRIVE!

Public libraries are an invaluable resource, but with shrinking budgets and closures they need your support more than ever.  

1. Ask for a card - and then use it.  A large number of active cardholders helps a library prove its worth to the community and justify its funding.  Encourage your friends and neighbors to get cards too.

2.  Donate your change - The coins you drop into the collection jars at the desk add up.  In some locations this can amount to thousands of dollars per year.  So dig out your loose change before going inside and leave a few dimes when you check out your  book.

3.  Supply a subscription - Share a periodical your family enjoys, with the whole town by offering to pay for a subscription ($10 - $30 per yr.) If you can't decide on a title, ask your librarian or check the library's website for a subscription wish list.

4.  Support sales - Many libraries organize sales of used donated books, DVD's and board games.  The events offer great deals for buyers - generally .50 to $5 per item - and the sales help bring in much needed funds.

5.  Remind your representatives - Share how much the institution means to you by emailing  city council member, state legislator or member of Congress.  Your positive notes can sway lawmakers to lend their support.

Two-Minute Do-Gooder

Help the American Association of School Librarians remind people how important school libraries are! Tweet or post to Facebook:  "We need our school libraries and librarians! #SLM#NLW"

(The #SLM stands for School Library Month and #NLW stands for National Library Week.)

It doesn't take much time, but it reminds people of the invaluable resource of a library.

Save our libraries!

The Kindness Project

Small deeds of generosity performed for others - whether they are family, friends or strangers.

The payoff is rich, but the action doesn't need to be costly or difficult.  Some ideas:

• Tell your parent they are doing a great job and that you appreciate all of their hard work.  (They probably don't hear this very often!)
• It it's trash day and your neighbor has forgotten, take their trash to the curb...then return their empty trash cans back up to their house!
• Write a teacher you loved when you were younger a thank you note.
• If someone is short a few dollars at the store, make up the difference for them.
• Place a flower on random windshields with a note that says, "Have a nice day."
• Yield your parking space to the other person vying for it.
• If someone's doing great work, tell his/her boss and sing their praises!
• When your family makes soup, take a small container to an elderly friend, family member or neighbor.
• Tell a veteran you appreciate what he or she has done for the country.

Just one act of kindness can give others inspiration.  You may encourage them to repay the kindness to someone else!

Cookie PARTY!

HOST A COOKIE PARTY!

A few days before the holiday, ask your students' families to help bake and frost sugar cookies.  The frosting process can happen in your classroom!  Then take them to local shelters.  You can do this at any time during the school year, not only over the holidays.  The nonprofit Drop In & Decorate has recipe and frosting tips online, along with a list of organizations across the United States that will accept your delicious donations.  

dropinanddecorate.org

Share a Bedtime Story

Injured service members who are separated from their children can read them a bedtime story via video.  United Through Reading volunteers help wounded service members at Naval Medical Center San Diego select books, and make a video of the parent reading aloud.  The DVD is sent to the children, who can listen to Mom or Dad again and again.

This program lifts everyone's spirits! "As parents read to their children, you can see the joy and love in their faces - they light up,"says volunteer Cindy Maurer.  "It gets them out of military mode, which has them constantly on high alert, and turns on the daddy or mommy switch.  It's a kind of healing."

To start one yourself, visit unitedthroughreading.org.  You and your students can help set up a new program for a service member's unit or check to find an active one near where a soldier is stationed.

Why Not?

Students can participate in the lives of those in need with one simple act.  They can collect and mail manufacturer's coupons to Teach Me 2 Save Ministries, a group that uses them to make care packages for people in need.  Send your coupons to:

Teach Me 2 Save Ministries

13762 West State Road 84, #129

Davie, FL  33325

Visit teachme2save.com for details!

Two-minute Do-Gooder!

Pop Tops!

Collect the pop tabs from your aluminum soda cans and mail or drop them off at a Ronald McDonald House Charities collect location.  The organization sells the tabs to a recycling center, then uses the money to provide housing for families to stay near their hospitalized children during treatment.  Visit rmhc.org to find collection containers near you, or ask your local RMHC chapter is they accept mail-ins. 

Gifts that keep Giving

Make your birthday count!  

As your students think about their birthday, encourage them to think of how they can impact the world around them on their special day.  

For example, on their 12th birthday, they could spend the day doing 12 acts of kindness!  Some ideas would be to pass our water bottles to joggers, after using a gift card at a restaurant leave the remaining balance for the person behind you, feed parking meters for shoppers, take doughnuts to a crew fixing power lines, take balloons to the hospital, or buy a gift card at the grocery store and give it to the person behind them in line.  There are dozens of little things that can be given to those around you! You will be overwhelmed by the reaction of those that receive your act of kindness.  

thebdayproject.com

Helping Teens in Need

Each year more than 1.6 million children are homeless at some point in their lives, and that number is increasing (The National Center on Family Homelessness). Along with losing their home, community, friends, and routines as well as their sense of stability and safety, many homeless youth are also victims of trauma. While trying to survive on the streets, youth are exposed to countless dangers.

How can your students help?  Small gestures can go a long way.

1.  Feed a teen for a full day by sending $10.00 to Covenant House, the largest private national agency exclusively serving homeless kids.  Last year, they cared for more than 56,000 children.  Give now at covenanthouse.org.

2.  Drop off new school supplies like pencils, notebook paper, and binders at a local Staples store at the beginning of each school year to help high school students succeed.  Get details and store locations at do something.org/staples.

3.  Head to goodsearch.com instead of Googling your online queries.  The site will donate one cent to the fight against homelessness every time you search; just enter the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth as your  favorite charity.

4.  Be a lifeline for homeless teens in your area by volunteering through the National Runaway Switchboard.  They need Street Team members to identify at-risk kids and direct them to 1-800-RUNAWAY for information on safe housing, food, and counseling.  Find out more at 1800runaway.org/get_involved. 

Bring Joy to a Recovering American Soldier

Recovering American soldiers are often away from their families as they recuperate. Students have the ability to bring a smile to our face...how much more, to the face of a recovering soldier!

As you bring Christmas into your classroom, have each student write a note to a recovering American soldier at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Younger children can draw a picture.  

Direct them to encourage each soldier with the love of Christ.

Students should not include home addresses, phone numbers or last names.  

Refrain from using glitter on the notes or pictures as it may interfere with the health of the soldier.  

Use generic greetings such as Dear American Soldier.

Notes can be sent to this address:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue

NW Washington, DC  20307-5001

Enjoy blessing the life of someone who has given so much for each of us.  

From Lisa's heart...

Baby blankets...it seems so simple.  Each of us, as parents,have several for our children.  We didn't worry about what we would wrap our precious children in to keep them warm and protected.  In  southern Africa, moms worry every day about how they will protect their children.  

Wouldn't it be an amazing gift to them if your class could adopt a village and outfit them with blankets for babies?  My heart breaks as I think about how difficult it would be to be unable to meet such a simple need for my child.  New blankets can be collected and sent to missionaries serving in South Africa or money can be raised and then sent for the purchase of blankets.  My friends, Steve and Pam Hill are currently serving with One Heart International Mission in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal.  

Blankets can be mailed to Steve and Pam and they will distribute them to moms and babies in need.

24 Gordon Rd.

Hatton Estates

Pinetown, KZN   3610

Join me in praying for safety for these precious lives!

From my heart,

Lisa 

Compassion: Quest for Compassion

The purpose of Quest for Compassion is to educate your children about global poverty and help them develop a heart for the poor around the world. When children understand poverty, they grow into compassionate adults.

Quest for Compassion

Begin by downloading this study guide provided by Compassion.

Quest for Compassion Study Guide

Thanksgiving Blessings

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, what a great time to involve your students in ministering to those less fortunate.  All communities have a local Salvation Army or similar organization that can use your help!

Phone your local organization and inquire as to how your group may be of the most help.  They need help putting the meals together, as well as serving meals on Thanksgiving day.  The meal prep includes not only the food preparation, but could also include the room set up.   Students may be assisting with peeling potatoes, wrapping silverware, or setting tables up.  

You can plan on spending an afternoon or just a few hours.  

Engaging our students in local ministries allows them to develop a passion for the needs of local community members and helps to instill the gift of compassion in their hearts and minds.  

Enjoy time spent together, blessing your community! 

Acts2HelpOthers

As I walked through a local farmer's market last weekend, I was presented with an amazing opportunity to show compassion and kindness to others in need.  (This particular organization is local to Central Florida, therefore, direct involvement is only available for local students.  If you are part of a school that is not in the Central Florida area, there may be a similar local ministry that you can participate with. )

Acts2HelpOthers is a humanitarian relief organization that partners with 

local food pantries and agencies to provide them with nourishing Kids Against Hunger meals and other vital supplies.  

They partner with other organizations to maximize global impact.  In doing so, everyone gains from each others strengths.  

How can you involve your students?  

Acts2HelpOthers is in need of funding.Your students can organize a carwash or bake sale and send the profits to Acts2HelpOthers.  They can raise awareness for local and global needs that can be met.  

Volunteer!  Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your students.  They will not only feel like a part of their community, but they will develop a new skill, meet a diverse range of people, create leadership skills and engage in a new experience.  Contact Acts2HelpOthers directly, for volunteer opportunities.  

www.acts2helpothers.org

1701 Kennedy Pointe, Suite 1009
Oviedo, Florida   32765
866.722.3773

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World Vision: Classifying Conflict

Resources for grades 6-8

Classifying Conflict (PDF) 

In this activity, the participants demonstrate understanding of the causes of conflict and identify types of conflicts.

Church Children

Adult leaders in local churches can always use a helping hand with the little ones in nurseries and in pre-school departments.  A helper's role is to help provide safe, secure, and nurturing environment. Their ministry responsibilities may include playing with the children, reading to them, praying for each child, and exhibiting Christ-like patience and love.

Before you begin:

• Contact your local church to determine what availability and needs they have.
• Age requirements for volunteering in nurseries and pre-school departments may differ for each church.
• Develop a volunteer schedule.

Service Expectations: 

• Arrive 15 minutes before scheduled service time.
• Help clean and straighten the room after the children leave.
• Attend occasional Ministry meetings.

Interacting With Parents:

• Always thank the parent for bringing their child. It is our privilege to serve them!
• Always smile (even when you are tired)

He put a child in the middle of the room.  Then, cradling the little one in His arms, He said, “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me – God who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)

World Vision's KidzCase

Most children in the United States have ready access to education and opportunities to pursue their interests and achieve their dreams. But for millions of children around the world, life is simply a daily struggle for survival. With our world now a truly global community, how can we help our children learn more about the issues that impact others?

KidzCase is a new way for children in the United States to learn more about the lives of children in poor communities around the world. Through games that are both fun and educational, elementary-age students can learn about and come to understand the challenges these children face. All games focus on helping kids explore what life is like for children in circumstances different than their own. Eight games included. 

KidzCase Website

World Vision: Food Not Famine

Resources for grades 6-8

Food Not Famine (PDF) 

This activity helps participants understand the difference between hunger and famine and why hunger is such a problem in the world.

Adopt-a-School

You can make a difference!  Your service can bring about eternal results in the lives of those you serve.  Adopt-a-School is a ministry outreach to children and youth in public schools.  

There are four steps to joining in the ministry of Adopt-a-School:

1. Choose a school that you would like to partner with.
2. Identify your ministry within the school.   Perhaps the school needs art supplies or books for their library.Mentoring is usually the greatest need, and involves the highest commitment.  After-school clubs or intermural sports often need adult helpers.  See if the school has a special project coming up and offer support
3. Call the school contact person and give them your group information.
4. Attend any required orientation for the school you choose.  
5. Follow through and make a difference.

There is no greater gift you can give a child than to show them the love of Christ through your gift of time.