Show Someone You Care

Collect or buy some items to make a care package for someone, such as a soldier serving overseas or a child in need you have found through an agency. I have two shelves in my closet where I stash stuff I know will make a difference in someone’s day. I picked up this wonderful habit from my mom and the ladies at her church. They have the knack of knowing just what people want.

Operation Gratitude

I learned about this from my mom, whose church regularly sends cards, letters, and care packages overseas to the armed forces. My mom and her fellow church ladies bake some of the best cookies in the world, so they gather up all kinds of goodies and treats and send them overseas where the taste of down home surely brings many smiles of satisfaction. Those who are less gifted in the baking department (such as me!) can make a $15 donation to Operation Gratitude, which pays for one care package for one serviceperson. Operation Gratitude  (operationgratitude.com) has sent over a million of these kindness kits around the world!

Care package

Instead of throwing old luggage away, donate your used suitcases and roller bags to foster homes. The children there often pack their clothes in garbage bags. Contact Family Services in your county to ask how to donate.

Show Someone You Care

Collect or buy some items to make a care package for someone, such as a soldier serving overseas or a child in need you have found through an agency. I have two shelves in my closet where I stash stuff I know will make a difference in someone’s day. I picked up this wonderful habit from my mom and the ladies at her church. They have the knack of knowing just what people want.

Happy Halloween!

Bowl of candy? Check. Costume on? Check. Pumpkins carved? Check. Today is All Hallow’s Eve and what better day is there to dress up, go out, and overindulge on sugary sweets?

However, take a few precautions before venturing out:

• If you have kids, don’t let them trick-or-treat without supervision.
• Don’t let your child eat candy that doesn’t come in a wrapper.
• Hold a flashlight when outside so drivers can see you.

But Halloween doesn’t have to be all  about the sugar rush and crazy costumes. It can also be a very charitable day:

• Make cards of kindness.
• Some children are too ill to go out trick or treating. Make homemade Halloween cards for hospitalized children with life-threatening illnesses and mail to either Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness (loveletterscares.org) or Hugs and Hope (hugsandhope.org).
• Many dentists’ officers participate in post-Halloween candy buybacks. Donated sweets are sent to organizations such as Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.com) or Operation Shoebox (operationshoebox.com). Both organizations include the candy in care packages for US soldiers in harm’s way. Find a participating dental office near you at halloweencandybuyback.com.

Welcome to the World!

    Assemble a baby care kit to help young mothers in need with newborns. Visit the Church World Service website for information on what to pack and where to send the shipment at cwsglobal.org/get-involved/cws-kits/baby-care-kits.html

Operation Gratitude

I learned about this from my mom, whose church regularly sends cards, letters, and care packages overseas to the armed forces. My mom and her fellow church ladies bake some of the best cookies in the world, so they gather up all kinds of goodies and treats and send them overseas where the taste of down home surely brings many smiles of satisfaction. Those who are less gifted in the baking department (such as me!) can make a $15 donation to Operation Gratitude, which pays for one care package for one serviceperson. Operation Gratitude  (operationgratitude.com) has sent over a million of these kindness kits around the world!

Care package

    Instead of throwing old luggage away, donate your used suitcases and roller bags to foster homes. The children there often pack their clothes in garbage bags. Contact Family Services in your county to ask how to donate.

The Sweet Life

    Show your support of childhood cancer patients and survivors with Lily’s stevia-sweetened chocolate (lilyssweets.com). A portion of profits goes to nonprofits in Pennsylvania, California, and New York. Opening up a box of joy is good for us all!

Show Someone You Care

    Collect or buy some items to make a care package for someone, such as a soldier serving overseas or a child in need you have found through an agency. I have two shelves in my closet where I stash stuff I know will make a difference in someone’s day. I picked up this wonderful habit from my mom and the ladies at her church. They have the knack of knowing just what people want.

Welcome to the World!

     Assemble a baby care kit to help young mothers in need with newborns. With the pandemic and quarantines still continuing, help has never been so necessary for these amazing women and their babies. Lend a helping hand by visiting the Church World Service website for information on what to pack and where to send the shipment for its week-long quarantine at cwsglobal.org/get-involved/cws-kitds/baby-care-kits/html.

Operation Gratitude

    I learned about this from my mom, whose church regularly sends cards, letters, and care packages overseas to the armed forces. My mom and her fellow church ladies bake some of the best cookies in the world, so they gathered up all kinds of goodies and treats and send them overseas where the taste of down home surely brings many smiles of satisfaction. Those who are less gifted in the baking department (such as me!) can make a $15 donation to Operation Gratitude, which pays for one care package for one serviceperson. Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.com) has sent over a million of these kindness kits around the world!

Show Someone You Care

Collect or buy some items to make a care package for someone, such as a soldier serving overseas or a child in need you have found through an agency.



I have two shelves in my closet where I stash stuff I know will make a difference in someone's day. I picked up this wonderful habit from my mom and ladies at her church. They have the knack of knowing just what people want.