Week 23 - Give a Drink...Succes!

So this last week, I had a short list of ideas so I wouldn't forget about our project again. I wanted to do something simple that the boys would be participating in, not just me.

On Friday, we decided to "give a drink" to random people.

There are only two spots in town that I know of with vending machines (besides the community college and schools), one on each end of town.

First, we went to Wal-Mart to pick up masking tape and get some change. When we got outside, I pulled my Sharpie marker from my purse and wrote on the masking tape. Then, Noah stuck the quarters to the tape, and we pressed the whole thing onto the machine. Nobody noticed us.

20 oz. bottles for $1.25 each

Next, we stopped at a local pharmacy. We took care of our little routine, and again, no one noticed us. I was hoping to see someone walk up to the soda machine before we left, but no luck there.

12 oz. cans for 50 cents each

Today we stopped at the pharmacy to get a couple cans of soda, and the quarters were gone. I don't know if one person took all our quarters, or if they were used one by one, but it was definitely fun to stick them up on the machines!

Week 19 - Stamp Out Food...Success!

So last week was Week 19, and we participated in the national food drive "Stamp Out Hunger" that is spearheaded by the US Post Office. This is a really cool idea, and the boys got a kick out of putting food into our mailbox instead of letters.

We stuffed our mailbox on Saturday with oyster crackers, elbow, pasta, chocolate pudding, and two packages of wild berry muffin mix - some of our family's staple food items. 

To learn more about "Stamp Out Hunger" - be sure to visit their Facebook page. I was surprised that this was their 20th year of doing it. They are still collecting totals, but the numbers that individual areas are reporting are pretty impressive!

Week 16 - Give a Train Ride...Success!

On Thursday, Jacob and I went to the zoo. One of the special treats for us is to ride the train tour around the zoo. So we figured a train ride would be pretty special for other children visiting the zoo.

First thing we did was to pick up a zoo membership. This made the cost of train rides less than half the regular price. And, we have extra tickets for the children's zoo and the shark exhibit for another day. Bonus! 

As we were walking, we kept an eye out for small families who looked like they would like a random act of kindness. Our first family was a father and his two girls from Kentucky. We asked if they had been on the train yet. When they answered that they had not, I said that I have tickets for them if they would like to ride. The father was surprised and happily accepted the tickets.

The others were the same - pleasantly surprised and walked away with smiles and a little bit more of a spring in their step. The second family was a mom, dad, and young daughter from Hannibal, Missouri. The third was an older man and woman from Robertsville, Missouri, whom we met while viewing the new baby elephant. And the last tickets we gave out as we left the zoo were to a father and son from St. Louis.

The day was beautiful, we had a wonderful time, and we had the opportunity to bless several families. It definitely was a successful day!

Week 13 - Ice Cream (just a little late!)...Success!

Lion's Choice

Today we had to run to the orthodontist...again. Our 8 year old's head gear wasn't fitting properly, so back we go to get it adjusted.

And, surprise!  No more head gear - we are moving on to a full time retainer. So he got to pick out a cool retainer with a design on it, from about 30 choices. Why didn't they have fun retainers when I had to wear them?

So to reward the boys on how well behaved they were at the office, we went to Lion's Choice for ice cream cones.

Our 10 cent ice cream!

Their ice cream is delicious! And, it's only 15 cents for a small cone, or 29 cents for it to be dipped in chocolate. They must have been running a special today, though, as I only paid 48 cents for 4 cones. Yum!

The two unsuspecting vehicles behind us.

Then on impulse, I decided we would pay the tab for the car behind us. Then I overheard the cashier tell the next car their total, which I thought was just 30 cents. Sweet! When the cashier handed me my last two cones, I handed him my debit card and said I would like to pay for the two orders behind me.

He stared at me. He was a little confused.

"The two orders behind you?" he wanted to clarify.

"Yes," I said.

He finally took my card and then gave me the receipts. Both vehicles had ordered 2 roast beef sandwiches. I didn't have time to watch their reactions in the mirror, but I am sure they were a bit baffled. :D

Week 14 - Fry the Chicken...Success!

First day of Week 14, and we are finished with it already!

Mike took this one on his own...fry the chicken.

Today was the annual Lions Club Chicken Dinner to raise money for the Union Lions Club. What does this club do with the money?

The money goes directly back to the community. One of the main focuses for the club is to provide better eyesight for community members. When the club hears of a child or an adult who needs glasses, the Lions Club pays for an exam as well as a pair of glasses for the person in need.

The Union Lions Club has also provided park amenities to our local parks department, including a set of nice swings. Each year the club also gives out several small college scholarships to local high school students.


The mission statement for the Lions Club International:

To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

So, this morning Mike spent over 4 hours frying chicken for the meal today.

And it was some good chicken! The club also served mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, cole slaw, applesauce, rolls, and dessert. This was an all-you-can-eat meal, and club outdid themselves this year.

Note: I realize we skipped Week 13. Somehow the week got away from us, so we will be doing it this week.

Week 12 - 10 Books...Success!

So last week was Week 12. And we were on track! The boys decided they wanted to purchase some books and hand them out to other kids.

We hit up the store and found a series of Elmo books. I figured Elmo is a pretty safe character for small children. There were 4 different stories, and we picked up 10 books.

Now, we just had to hand them out...not an easy task!

We brainstormed on where we would find a bunch of kids...

the grocery store...but the store might carry books
the park...good idea
a restaurant...good idea
school...won't work out

So the weekend past, and we are now into Week 13, and have yet to start this week's project - yikes! So yesterday I had to run to Home Depot. I thought, "Great! A place with bored kids." I grabbed my tote with the books on my way out the door.

Well, I saw 1 child while I was there, and they were completely on the other side of the store. Fail! But that's okay, because my boys weren't with me, and part of this project is that we are doing it together.

Today, we had the perfect opportunity! The No. 844 steam train was going to roll through the town next door, and we were going to see it. I carried the tote of books, and we gave out our first book before we settled into our spot to watch for the train. But, then one of the boys had to use the restroom...

We used our time to hand out 3 books while at the restrooms...

Then the train came through. During the stop, we handed out 2 books to one family, and then another 2 books to these girls watching the train with their daddy.

With just 2 books left to give out, my 2 youngest boys claimed the privilege of handing them out. When we were nearly back to our vehicle, we passed a brother and sister, and we gave them the books.

After the books were gone, the boys asked for more to give out to the rest of the kids in the area. Whoa! Sorry, boys. I wish we could have, but there was at least 100 kids there with their families.

But I am happy to know that my boys enjoyed giving away the books and receiving the smiles from strangers.

Week 11 - One Dozen Cookies

So I decided today that we would make cookies for someone...

I whipped up Betty Crocker's recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and let the boys lick the beaters. Of course, I had to taste the dough, too, before I popped them in the oven.

The cookies turned out delicious! Soft, chewy, and chocolatey (I can't resist adding a little more chocolate than what a recipe calls for).

After they cooled, I wrapped up a dozen in some baggies, placed them in a brown lunch sack, added some simple white tissue, and tied a nice spring bow around the top.


Now who should we give the cookies to? 

Tomorrow we shall decide! Maybe the new neighbors across the street...or maybe drop them off at the ambulance house or the police station...maybe we'll see an Ameren crew working on some electrical lines...

Decisions, decisions! This will be random... : )

Week 9 - Success!

The 4 passes and $10 gift certificate.

Wednesday (Leap Day!) before picking up the kids from school, Jacob and I ran over to the bowling alley to pick up the gift card and passes.

I then printed out the paper and placed everything in a plain envelope.

That evening we headed over to our local hospital, just as the sun was setting. We had wind advisories that day, so the flags were at attention, and we had to keep from blowing away!

Our local hospital.

I approached the front desk, and explained that we had a request. I handed her the envelope and said that we would like it delivered to a child on the pediatric floor who needed some cheering up. The receptionist was a little surprised, but she accommodated us.

We hope there was one surprised little person with a smile that evening!

Week 9 - Bowling for 4

We have made it to Week 9 - yeah! Today over a special brunch at IHOP, the boys' favorite restaurant, we discussed what we should do this week for our random act of kindness. Joey's suggestion was to go bowling. So, we are going to put together a card with 4 bowling passes and a $10 gift certificate for our local bowling alley. We will then take it to the hospital and ask the receptionist to send it up to a child who needs a little cheering up.

Have you done a random act of kindness lately? Please share with us!