 own schedule!){kind=link}
Kindness costs nothing but means everything.
World Kindness Day is here! The purpose of this day is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This November 13th, I encourage you and your family to choose one way to spread kindness.
Here are 5 ways your family can volunteer from home on your own time schedule:
The Angel Card Project
Join this army of 8,000 volunteers who send Christmas Cards to those who need some extra love. People of all ages are nominated for this list by their friends or loved ones. The founder states: “We want every individual in need to know that they have a purpose, they are cared about and they are loved. If we can reach just one person and leave a positive lasting influence in their life, then our mission has served its purpose well.”
When you sign up to receive the list, you can send as many cards as you like. Cards can be store-bought or homemade. You may even get cards or thank you notes in return. Fair warning – the reasons people are requesting cards will break your heart. It will also make you grateful for the chance to send some much-needed love their way.
Tip: If you join The Angel Card Project Facebook group, you and your kids can make and send cards throughout the year as requests are made through that group outside of Christmas.
The Confetti Foundation
We all know how much children look forward to their birthday! This organization’s mission is to provide birthday parties to children who have to spend their birthday in a hospital, pediatric oncology clinic, or hospice facility. They need handmade cards (no envelopes) to put into their birthday boxes for the children. Check out the link above for specific directions on making and sending cards for kids. This is a great service project your kids can work on anytime and a fun one to do with a group of friends, too.
Tip: Keep card-making supplies in a basket or drawer that is easily accessible so kids can make cards in their free time. Listening to music or an audiobook makes it even more fun!
Cedar Valley Humane Society
When we learned that each dog at the Cedar Valley Humane Society was given a blanket when they came in and takes their blanket to their new home to help ease the transition, my kids were all in! Who understands the value of a security blanket better than a kid? All you need is one yard of fleece for the top of the blanket and one yard of the same or a coordinating fleece for the bottom. This tutorial is a great place to start! You can also make toys for the animals as well!
Tip: When fleece is 50% at Jo-Ann’s, grab several kinds and have them ready for the kids to work on all winter.
Lasagna Love
A mom and her toddler started this new organization at the beginning of the pandemic. She states on the website, “What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness and strengthen communities. Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty and stress.” You can sign up for what works for your time and budget and you’ll be matched with a family who can use the meals you make. Love through lasagna? Sounds delicious! What a great way to get kids in the kitchen with you!
Tip: Check out this recipe for ravioli lasagna. It’s a simple one for little kids to help with or older kids to make by themselves.
Cakes from the Heart Iowa
Cakes from the Heart is a sweet organization all around. Their mission is to help the socially or financially disadvantaged kids & seniors in our community celebrate their special day. They partner with many different agencies throughout the city to provide homemade cakes to kids and seniors on their birthdays. Volunteers bake and decorate cakes and cupcakes, especially for each person or event.
Tip: Your littlest ones can help mix up the cake and frosting, while older kids can help with the decorating. Older kids can use Pinterest and YouTube tutorials to help create cake ideas to delight the recipients.
I hope one of these ideas inspires you and your kids to be intentional about loving our community through kindness. Not just on World Kindness Day, but throughout the year. Check out this post for more ideas of how to spread love and kindness right here in the Cedar Rapids area.
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao-Tzu
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