Volunteering & Volunteer Students

Things picked up! The kids have collected quite a few coats - haven't counted them yet - promises of more - 16 blankets - and over $115 in cash donations in two days. We'll be at WalMart again tomorrow afternoon. Then I think we'll switch to Plan B.

Plan B: Contact local senior citizen centers and ask for volunteers to donate or sew blankets. Contact schools to include memo in bulletins for coats, caps, gloves. Contact Chamber of Commerce to include project in their newsletter asking area businesses to collect items or donate to project. Contact police departments and fire departments to ask them to collect and/or donate. Ask American Legion post to sponsor an 'event' to benefit the project...In other words, involve everyone possible and extend the project until we get where we want to go with it.

But first - I have to make a side trip to the hospital to clean out my arteries - again - and a few days to rest.

Most touching comment from those who donated: A male teenager, when thanked for his donation, said, "I know what it's like not to have a coat." Somehow, that broke my heart!

His comment matched our observations of those donating. It wasn't the ones in obviously expensive clothing doing the donating. They walked by with eyes straight ahead as if we were invisible to them. When the kids tried to hand them their 'business cards' that give an overview of what they are trying to accomplish, even they noticed that the ones who 'looked' most able to help brushed them off - and in a few cases were downright rude to them.

Those who stopped to talk with them  about their project, who encouraged them; those who donated coats, blankets, and money - were very clearly people who know what it's like not to have something they need (or needed) at some time.

Together, the difference in responses provided an interesting lesson for the kids. Of course, being their gramma, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask which kind of person they want to be themselves. I'm happy to say they made the right choice - and decided that when they are older and wealthy - which they plan to be - that they will always remember to be compassionate and caring people. Needless to say, I'm very proud of these children!

Most surprising thing that happened: A lady that I don't know asked if she could pray for me. Thinking that I can always benefit from prayer, I told her I would be very grateful for her prayer. She immediately prayed for my healing. Now, I don't look sick, don't think of myself as sick, and don't discuss health problems very often - so I asked her why she prayed that I be healed. She said because the Lord spoke to her; that she had been there the day before a few hours before we got there - and felt she should come back instead of just leaving the coats for us.

Most entertaining thing that happened: A shoplifter was escorted out in handcuffs. Normally, I wouldn't consider this entertaining - but this lady had the long skirt with the gizmos underneath to hang (or however they do it) the things she was stealing - and was riding around the store on one of the motorized carts they provide for the disabled. Those things don't go over two miles per hour so I'm not sure how she thought she was going to outrun the po-lice. Seriously, you have to wonder what in the world WalMart has that anyone would even begin to think it worth getting arrested and going to jail. Another educational moment for the kids.

The funniest thing that happened: This beautiful little girl grabbed one of the balloons, hugging it and telling us "I love b'loons!" and POP went the balloon. Not fazed at all, she went for another balloon. Her mother had another child in her arms and was trying to stop the little girl without dropping the baby - while apologizing for the balloon. We rescued 'the mom' by giving her a bag of fruit snacks. But a little later when they came out of the store, here came the little one again, all excited and yelling "I love b'loons!" We asked if we could give her one, but Mom said no and dragged her away.  I don't think I've ever seen a little one who loved b'loons as much!

Then there was the guy who told Eli "You got coats? Thanks! I really need a coat. Can I have it now?" Eli didn't know what to say but his sister rescued him by telling the man, "We've got a real pretty pink one you might like..."

In general, people have been wonderful and it's been a good experience for the kids. They are making a difference for others - and that's the best lesson they can learn.