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Category: Charity

Feed the Hungry this Christmas as You Light The World
In the midst of commercialization, kids begging for the newest gadgets, and a bit of seasonal depression setting in, I find solace and joy in serving others. This particular service event to feed the hungry was made possible by the amazing people at Boncom, and I feel incredibly lucky to partner with them as we Light The World.

Related Content: Personal Care Bags for Moms in Need

I often find myself asking why it is that I love the holidays so much? I’m not a great gifter, and if you were to ask me what I want, very little of it consists of things. However, with the Christmas Season comes an abundance of opportunities to serve.

Light The World: 25 Ways in 25 Days

My mom taught me that the best way to change ourselves is by focusing on others. Having a bad day? Serve someone. Feeling down? Serve someone. Mad at someone? Serve them. Struggling with faith? Go out and serve.

So a week after some depression hit hard, I did just that. I had heard that the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana needed volunteers to come cook freezer meals for their residents. It was exactly the kind of opportunity I needed. I texted my sister in law to see if she’d like to join in giving this service and then went shopping.

The Ronald Mcdonald House only asked for one freezer meal, but I knew I had time to put together at least 2 casseroles, as well as bake a few dozen cookies.

As I walked into the Ronald McDonald House, my spirit lifted. A natural smile crept across my face, and I knew this is where I was meant to be. My spirit yearns to give service and the depression that had begun to set in, lifted if but just for that day. Today I would feed the hungry, but my own soul would be spiritually fed. We chopped, boiled, fried, and baked for the next 2 hours. Since it was the middle of the day the House was pretty quiet. Most of the Ronald McDonald House residents are at one of the area hospitals during the day with their sick children. Coming back to the house for a bite to eat and sleep.

The casseroles were coming together nicely, and the cookies were almost done. When the first guest we had seen all day walked in. He was grabbing some snacks to take to his wife and discussing things with the manager.

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to overhear. Their utility bills were late, they didn’t really have enough to cover the bill anyway, and he guessed it wouldn’t matter if their power was shut off because they weren’t home.

The cookies were done, so we placed them on the counter for whoever might need a bite of something sweet. Before this man left, he turned saw the cookies, and asked if they were for anyone. We indicated they were available for all and then tried to blend into the background.

I had debated buying that cookie dough. I didn’t know if there would be cookie sheets to cook it on, or if leaving a plate of cookies on a counter would be something the Ronald McDonald House would even allow. In that one man, though, I knew I had made the right decision. In the excitement I heard behind his voice as he told us how much his wife would enjoy these, I knew for just a moment, whatever his story, this small seemingly inconsequential choice I made was the right one.

Get Involved!

There are opportunities all around to Feed the Hungry. It’s probably one of the easiest services you can give. Whether you donate a can, or a whole meal, there is something everyone can do
- Donate food to your local food pantry
- Go make meals at your local Ronald McDonald House
- Put together snack bags to hand out to the homeless
- Serve at the food pantry
- Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
- Make a meal for someone in need
- Invite someone who may be lonely to have dinner with you
Food fills our physical hunger, but it is through Christ we can fill our spiritual hunger. These service ideas and countless other ways to serve will help fill your spiritual hunger. I know this to be true.

If time or finances are tight, and you can’t get out to serve the physical hunger in our world, consider feeding someone’s spiritual hunger.
- share your favorite scripture with a friend
- Invite someone to worship with you
- pray for the well being of someone today
How will you Feed the Hungry? Please share more ideas in the comments, or over on our facebook page. Tag #lighttheworld and join a movement to share God’s love with the world.
December 21, 2017
Help Tackle Kids Cancer this Holiday Season

DONATE TO KIDS CANCER HERE

“Mom it hurts”

My vivacious 7-year-old complained to me one morning. Pointing at her leg, she specified more clearly that the congenital mole behind her knee was hurting.

That’s interesting I thought. Since it was behind her knee, I brushed it off as probable growing pains. I figured at 7, she connected the physical pain with the only thing she could visibly see.

We moved on with our morning, and I sent her to school with a hug and kiss. Hopefully, if it was growing pains, they’d subside throughout the day. I concocted a plan to not bring up her mole again until she did.

After school came, and it was all she could talk about. It still hurt. It hurt all day at school too. So I made a call to the doctor. Our story ended well (expensive) but well. My dear little Rosalina had a normal mole – albeit a weirdly shaped and growing mole, it was still just a mole. We removed it, and she hasn’t complained of any pain since.

Not All Kids are that lucky.

Becca Boo

Becca Boo complained of pains that her parents also thought were just growing pains. Unlike our story, Becca was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. You can read more about her story and others on Tackle Kids Cancer.

You can help Tackle Kids Cancer

This holiday season, consider donating to Tackle Kids Cancer. Every little bit helps! Whether you donate financially, coordinate a fundraiser or event, or even volunteer your time, you’ll be helping the fight against pediatric cancer.

Pediatric Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children. With only 4% of government funding for cancer being directed to pediatric cancer research, they need all the help we can give.

Donating through Tackle Kids Cancer helps children worldwide as the pediatric cancer research community is a small one. Your donation will make a difference for kids like Becca.

Donate to Kids Cancer Research Today

December 8, 2017
No Baby Unhugged Personal Care Bags for Moms in Need
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NoBabyUnhuggedCB #CollectiveBias

Every baby deserves to be hugged. A mother shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their baby in fresh diapers. That’s why I was so excited to hear about Huggies No Baby Unhugged donation program in conjunction with Meijer stores.

We’ve never had a lot, but we have also never wanted for much. I’ve never had to make the choice between food, bills, and essentials like diapers for my kids. To that end, I feel extremely blessed. Unfortunately, not everyone has been as fortunate as my family. Kimberly-Clark put out a study in 2010 that found 1 in 3 US moms suffer from diaper need.

This year we’ve been looking for more ways to help those in our community get back on their feet. I’ve taken the kids out to help set up apartments for refugees, we’ve donated self-help books to the prison, and collected clothes and hygiene products for the local women’s shelter.

This month we’ve found one more way to give back that was super easy since I shop at my local Meijer stores and am prepping for this new baby come March. See when I buy my Huggies diapers and wipes at Meijer, the return is two-fold. Through January 2, 2017 Meijer will donate $1 to the National Diaper Bank Network, and Huggies will donate a whole day’s worth of diapers! In total Meijer will donate up to $10,000 while Huggies will donate up to 150,000 diapers, making sure that no baby will go unhugged within the midwest.

I can’t think of a better place to stock up on my baby needs than with 2 companies that share the same values I do with giving back. Since I’m not quite ready to be stocking up on the diapers yet, I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to get the kids excited for a new sibling, while also reminding them of the blessings we have. So together we made Personal Care Bags for donating to the woman’s shelter and to pass out to any homeless moms we see this winter.

While the girls were at school I hit up Meijer to grab our Huggies Little Snugglers and Huggies Natural Care Wipes. This is the 4th year Huggies and Meijer have teamed up to help you and I give back through our normal purchase of diapers and wipes. I also browsed their personal hygiene aisle where I found everything else I needed for a bag that Mom’s can take on the go and in an emergency. When the girls got home from school, I had everything set up in an assembly line so they could fill the bags and be just as involved in this project of giving hugs.

No Baby Unhugged Personal Care Bag
- Travel toothbrushing kit
- deodorant
- razor
- shaving cream
- hand sanitizer
- chocolate
- Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers
- Huggies Natural Care Wipes
- Fabric Bags
Each bag received 8 Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers, 1 pack of Huggies Natural Care Wipes, and 1 each of the other items. The bag allows the Mom to take it with them during the day as they search for employment and housing, without having to worry how they will also take care of themselves and baby.

The kids are so excited for baby brother to make an appearance and putting together the No Baby Unhugged Personal Care Bags was exactly what they needed to get in the spirit of giving this season while they continue to wait. We’ll be heading back soon to stock up on our own diaper needs. I love that the new Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers were inspired by hugs to keep my baby’s skin clean and healthy. From their hypo-allergenic design to the pocketed waistband, and new soft breathable covers, Huggies are just the hugs my new baby needs along with the smothering of hugs from his siblings.

Are you looking for ways to help out this holiday season? Download the new Huggies app and donate your points to help moms and babies get the hugs they need. Let’s all work together to make sure No Baby Unhugged received the support and attention it deserves. After all, no one, but especially mothers of babies, should have to make the choice between food and cleanliness.
December 13, 2016
Thank Mom for Giving You Life and Give another Mom Life

This post is sponsored by the Everywhere Society and Macy’s. All opinions are my own.

This Mothers Day thank Mom for giving you life, while also giving life to another Mom with a purchase from Macy’s Heart of Haiti line.

I’ve shared my love for the Heart of Haiti line before, and since moving here to Indiana I’ve been able to incorporate it more year round in our decor. So when they asked me to check out what was new in the line, I was more than happy to. I was drawn straight to this Papier Mache Tree of Life tray.

The Tree of Life on this tray represents the connection between all life. It almost immediately made me think of my Mom, and the life she has physically given to me, but also the life she continues to give me through her constant support, counsel and friendship. I owe so much to my own mother.

After I graduated high school, my mom decided to go back to school. She had dropped out when she decided to have a family, and so my whole childhood she was home. From teaching piano to babysitting, she always found ways to be with us while still helping out financially. Her drive and love for us has meant to much to me.

Similar to my own Mom, mothers all over the world are doing the best they can to make a difference and be an example for their children. Just like Yvette in this video. She employs a number of artisans in Haiti and supports her own child, nieces, and nephews. She does this all through the support of Macy’s Heart of Haiti line.

All profits from the Heart of Haiti line go back to mothers like Yvette who are doing their best to be an example for their children, and those around them. I feel incredibly blessed to have this Papier Mache Tray on my table now. The display will change throughout the year, but it will always contain items to remind me that Mothers are all connected, no matter where we are, or what path we’re on.

How will you Thank Mom this year? Check out the Heart of Haiti Line at Macy’s today.

May 7, 2016
Can you feel the beat…to beat Polio? Spread the word by dancing and donating to Shot@Life

Black Friday is behind us, and Cyber Monday is almost here. What I look forward to every year though is Giving Tuesday – a time that truly helps remind me of all I have and should be grateful for. This Giving Tuesday I’ll be donating to Shot@Life to help kids around the world beat polio. Check out the initiative below and then join me in dancing to beat polio!

Did you know that in 1988 there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries? Today there are only 51 cases in 2 countries! We have almost eradicated this debilitating disease completely!

This year Shot@Life is encouraging everyone to take to social media and share videos or gifs of you, your family, and/or friends dancing to help spread the word, and encourage those who can to donate to Shot@Life. Why dance you ask? Polio often causes paralysis, making walking – let alone dancing – impossible for some. We want to live in a world where everyone can dance!

This year Nigeria was removed from the list of polio cases. If it stays polio-free, Africa will be polio free for the first time! With your donations to Shot@Life, the UN helps deliver billions of polio vaccines to kids each year, along with other essential health care services.

Will you donate? Share your dance videos with #ShotatLife and spread the word!

November 28, 2015