Posts Tagged ‘giving’

Giving Thanks by Giving

Thursday, November 2nd, 2017

cardaying giving thanks

 Miss Sue waited until all the “Can Dos” got settled in their seats before she began to speak about her topic, giving. “Good Morning children, she said. “Thank you Miss Pat for allowing me to speak to the class this morning about a new program of the ‘Can Do” Street Community Center, Giving Thanks by Giving.”

Yundi and Wendy beamed with pride as their grandma, Miss Sue, continued to speak to the class. “Thanksgiving is coming and I want to invite you all to be a part of keeping the spirit of giving alive in Thanksgiving,” said Miss Sue.”We have a few weeks to work together on a few projects. I am going to tell you about they projects and then you can each decide what project is for you.

First, there is the clothing drive. We need to collect warm clothing such as coats, hats, gloves and such to give to those families who need warm clothes for the winter. We need men’s and women’s clothing as well as clothing for children and teens.

Second, there is the food drive. We want to stock the food pantry in town with canned goods and boxed foods like pasta and rice for those who need food for their families. We need lots of families giving what they can.

Third, there is the school supplies drive. We want to be able to help out families that can’t afford school supplies by giving their children what they need for the school year.

Willie raised his hand and Miss Sue called on him. “Miss Sue why do people need all these things?” Miss Sue smiled and answered, “That is a good question, Willie. Some families have been having hard times and need a little help to get through until things get better for them.  Some dads and moms, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs. In other families, a dad or mom has been sick and unable to work, so there isn’t much money to buy what the families need.”

The class was quiet for a few minutes, then Hector raised his hand and said, “I’ve got lots of cousins, uncles and aunts. I will ask them to go through their closets and donate anything they haven’t worn in a year and don’t think they will be needing. I’ll ask my mom and dad and grandparents too.” A few of the “Can Dos” also signed up along with Hector.

Annie volunteered to collect food from family and neighbors for the food pantry. A couple of the other kids in the class did too.

The “Can Do” Kids Cooking Club volunteered to holding a bake sale at the Community Center and said they would be giving all that they raise to buy school supplies.

Soon everyone in the class was signed up for one of the three drives as their way of giving thanks at Thanksgiving.

What about you? Is there a way you can practice giving at Thanksgiving time?

Pocket

You Know What You Want for Christmas; What Are You Giving ?

Wednesday, November 30th, 2016

During recess, Miss Pat overheard the “Can Dos” talking about what they want for Christmas.

When recess was over, Miss Pat said, “I overheard some of your conversation about what you all want for Christmas, but I didn’t hear any thing about what you are giving anyone at Christmas. Let’s talk about the spirit of Christmas for a few minutes. Can anyone tell me what the spirit of Christmas is?”

Yundi raised his hand and said, “It’s about giving, not getting.” The class all looked at him funny. Hector said,”That can’t be right!  It’s about kids getting stuff they want.” Kathy shook her head slowly and said, “I think it is about giving. My grandma starts talking to us in August about doing chores to earn money to buy presents for my mom and dad.” Miss Pat smiled and said,” Yundi and Kathy are right. It is about giving, that is why you get presents because the people who love you want to give to you.”

Miss Pat asked, “Who wants to share with the class what they are giving to their parents for Christmas”?

Nellie raised her hand and said, “Grandpa Dooley took a picture of us and we made a frame for it in crafts class at the community center. We sent it to our mom. She can’t come home for Christmas, cause she’s in the Army, far away.” Everyone was silent for a minute or so. Then Miss Pat said, “That is very thoughtful of you and Willie. I know your mom will be so happy when she gets your gift.”

Bobby raised his hand and said, “I earned enough money from doing chores to buy my mom a fancy key chain and my dad soap on a rope”!

“Those are wonderful gifts children, but some of the best Christmas gifts don’t cost any money at all.

Can anyone think of gifts that don’t cost money, but your parents will love to receive,” asked Miss Pat. Jay raised his hand and said,”I am going to give my parents the gift of a month of sweeping the floor after dinner, emptying the trash and reading a bedtime story to my little brother.” Arthur J smiled and said,”I know what I’m going to give them …a report card with all A’s. They’ve been asking for one of those for a long time!”

Pocket

The Nearly New Toy Drive

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

The “Can Do” Kids were helping their parents and grandparents decorate the party room at the community center for the Holiday party. Just then Miss Sue, the center director, came in and asked to talk to everyone. Parents, grandparents and “Can Dos” all sat down to listen to Miss Sue.

“Good morning everyone,” said Miss Sue.” While I’m happy parents and grandparents are here, what I have to say is mostly for the “Can Do” Kids.” The “Can Dos” looked at each other, worried that they did something wrong but not able to remember what it could be.

Miss Sue smiled. She knew what they were thinking. “You are not in trouble, children. I want to talk with you about what we can do for all the children who lost their toys and books during the hurricane that hit the next town from us. The “Can Dos” looked sad at just the thought of losing all one’s toys and books in a flood from a hurricane.

Orrie asked,”How can we help?” Annie said, “What can we do?” Hector added, “We’re only kids, how can we help them get toys?”

“Well,” answered Miss Sue, “The holidays are coming and you will all be getting gifts of new toys and books. What about going through all the toys and books you have now and giving toys you don’t play with anymore and books you have read to children who lost all the toys and books they had?”

Hector wasn’t so sure. He loved all his toys, even the ones he didn’t play with much. Kathy and Annie were having a hard time with the idea of parting with some of their old toys too.

Orrie was the first to offer a toy and some books. Then Willie and Nellie agreed to go through their toys and books and find some that would make good nearly new play things. Pretty soon all the “Can Dos” agreed to give away a toy and a book to children who lost all their toys and books. Even Hector, Annie and Kathy said they would chip in a toy and a book.

Miss Sue told the “Can Dos” she was very proud of them. “Let’s call our project the Nearly New Toy Drive.”

Miss Sue added, “Be sure that the toy and book you decide to give to the toy drive are in good condition. They need to be clean and have all their pieces if they are games, parts if they are toys, and pages if they are books. Don’t give away anything you wouldn’t want to get yourself.”

The “Can Dos” all nodded. The parents agreed to help them pack up what they were giving to the toy drive. The grandparents offered to help the “Can Dos”write notes to go with the toys and books they were giving away.

Boys and girls reading this, here is a question for you…Do you have a toy or book that is in good condition that you could give to a nearly new toy drive near where you live?

Pocket