Toys for Tots

Have your children clean out their closest and toy boxes. Express to them how blessed they are to have clothes on their backs, food in their bellies, and a roof over their heads. Take the items (clean and in good working order) to a nearby orphanage or to families you know of that are in need.

Visit a Nursing Home

Visit a local nursing home in your community. Many elderly in a home enjoy playing games, talking, or listening to a good book. Bring some home baked treats or a friendly card to share with the elderly.

Help the Animals

Children love animals, so why not use this interest in animals to help out at your local Humane Society by donating your time or supplies (pet food, old blankets). Ask your children to donate an old blanket to help keep an animal warm.

Read Me

Supplies:
Paper
Markers or crayons
Post-its

Directions:
Cut the paper into strips and write positive messages on them such as “God Loves You”, “You are beautiful”, and “You are loved”. Be creative! Any nice note will do.
Then decorate them, fold them in half, and attach a strip of a post-it on it that says, “Read me”

Then take them to a busy place- The park, a shopping center, maybe even the mall and hide them. Leave the “read me” end sticking out of plants, holes, and slits and then watch as people walk by and pick them up.

Teach your children that it’s not always necessary to get a pat on the back from someone you did a good deed for. Sometimes we get the warmest fuzzies inside from doing something for someone without them even knowing it. Remember: your treasure lies in Heaven.

Good Works

*Suggested Reading*

Clifford's Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell
The Ant and the Elephant by Bill Peet
The Little Engine That Could: The Complete, Original Edition by Watty Piper
Rainbow Fish to the Rescue! by Marcus Pfister
The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen


Items needed this week:
Paper
Markers or crayons
Post-its


Preparations to be made:
Think of people you know who are in need of service. Is there someone who needs some yard work done, or a meal, or maybe just a friendly visit or simple heartfelt note? This is the week to involve your children in kind, selfless, acts of service. Call your local Humane Society and make an appointment to visit the facility. Also, call your local nursing home and set up a time to make a visit to the elderly. Make sure you ask what they are in need of. Even a quick “drop off” of items they are in need of would be greatly appreciated.