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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Capital One for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Every Christmas we are reminded of how much we have and how blessed we are. We are reminded that we can change the world- one person at a time.
they get toys…
they get clothes…
they get treats…
they get electronics
they get books…
they get little trips…
We spend our Christmas break doing this for US.
We go shopping…
We go out looking at lights…
We go to friends and family’s houses…
We open presents…
We open more presents…
One day, my husband and I were sitting down, watching a TV show when a commercial came on, showing a child with next to nothing and that was when it hit us: What have we taught our kids? Really? We need to be teaching them to GIVE to others.
We needed to do more…
We needed to be more…
We needed to set an example…
We needed to teach our children…
Here are 5 ways that you can help someone else this year:
1. Collect clothes from neighbors. Take them (with your kids) to your local Christian City Misson.
2. Gather toys that your kids help you collect (for the playroom and their room) and wrap them up. Leave them on the home of a less-fortunate family’s doorstep. If you need help finding a family, ask a local church.
3. Make a meal for a family in need. Last year, we contacted a local church that offers lunches for children that do not have them and we asked them to get us in contact with a family in need. My mom and I each donated food and a meal to this family.
4. Look no further than their own classroom. Ask your child’s teacher to find a family in the classroom that could use extra Christmas gifts this year. Find out what they need and leave it in a big black garbage bag on their doorstep with a note that says “Love, Santa!”
5. Volunteer in a Sunday School Classroom and let your kids be your helpers.
6. Take an ‘Angel’ from an Angel Tree & give generously.
7. Pay it forward. Pay for the drink of the person behind you in line.
8. Do the little things- help someone carry groceries to their car. Hold the door for someone and go out of YOUR way to do it.
9. Have a Holiday Party- everyone brings money and their favorite pot-luck meal. The money is donated to a hospital, charity or family in need.
10. Enter the #WishForOthers contest.
We found a company that was doing things for others and we are joining in. Capital One is working on their #WishForOthers campaign. It is simple and we are doing it this year (You should, too!). They are just hoping to help make the holidays a little brighter by helping to share and grant people’s wish for others. You can enter to make someone else’s wish come true.
This year, we are wishing for something pretty big (and pretty fun!)
Our kids go to an AWESOME school! I was a teacher there, so I may be partial! haha! Our school district is one of the best in the nation (it was actually voted the top school in the nation), but we are also in a very low-income area. This means that the majority of our children’s school population is low-income. Most of the children in our school recieve free or reduced lunches. Most of the kids in our hometown school are not able to pay for things like lunch, gift or fieldtrips.
This year, the Kindergarten staff want to take the Kindergarteners to an awesome place called Tweetsie Railroad (I have taken our kids here and they love it!).
The problem is that because the majority of the kids can not afford to go, they are trying to raise money. The tickets are $21-$41 per person, not including the transportation (which will be a lot) or lunches.
The Kindergarten staff just hosted a ‘parents night out’ this week, trying to raise money to go. I would love to be able to have the trip sponsored for them – oh the look on those little 5 and 6 year old’s faces if they get to go would be worth it all! To get to experience all of this…
They would LOVE the trains, the rides, the little learning stations (the have so many there!)
This year my kids and I are making a wish together– our wish is that we can have this fantastic trip sponsored, because this is going to be the only time that most of these kids will ever go here, even though it is close to their hometown.
I would LOVE to hear your wishes, too. Who would you make a wish for this year? A family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a community? Share your wish with me on Twitter, Instagram, or the Capital One Facebook page from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23 for a chance to make it come true. Visit Wish For Others for more information and to see the wishes that others have submitted. Submit your wish on their Facebook page or on their Twitter page by marking your photo with the hastag #WishForOthers ... I’ll see you there!
