Helping Our Earth Article

I have started a new venture in addition to my business I decided to write some articles on Associated Press, what fun it was to take an assignment, do research for it and have it published. 

The article I chose was about Volunteer opportunities in Illiniois that help improve our Earth.
How appropriate for all of my Blog readers.

I hope that each of you are looking at each day as an opportunity to give back whether it is to your neighbor, a friend or even a stranger in need.

We all can make a difference in someone elses life.

To read my article please go to Article Link

I hope to publish more and would love for you to share this link with others.  Thank you in advance!

PAY IT FORWARD

Economy is bad, people are losing houses, jobs, and animals because of this recession yet there is something good going on!   "Pay It Forward"  Check out this news report and see if you can start something in your area.  It could make someones day! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1fHlnStjk

Other ideas for paying it forward - Pay for the toll of someone behind you, leave a quarter in the cart at Aldi's, what starts with one coffee can lead to so much more.  Spread kindness it can be contagious!!

Post your ideas on here for paying it forward we want to hear how this has affected you!!

Recent Newspaper Article

We were recently asked to submit some quotes for a wonderfully put together article for the Plainfield's Enterprise Newspaper.

Madhu Mayer of the Enterprise newspaper wrote a very nice piece on the volunteer blog and makes mention of how my neighbor Catherine Leturno inspired me to do this blog.

Here is a small version of what is posted on the newspaper.

Woman creates volunteer blog
By Madhu Mayer
Instead of giving a Christmas present someone may not like or appreciate, Leslie Prohaska of Plainfield wants everyone to consider a gift that keeps on giving beyond the holiday season.

We were very pleased to have this article in the newspaper the more people that see that young and old alike can contribute the better off we will all be.

How to Teach Your Children to Be Charitable

• Spending time with your child by going through their clothes from the previous year can be both fun and charitable. Make it fun with the little ones by playing a shopping game have them go through their clothes that you have pre-sorted and know that no longer fit your child and have them pretend to buy these clothing items for someone in need. Have play money handy and a shopping bag. You can have them count out a certain amount for each bag and designate which bag will go to Charity A, B, or C. Teach your child that though these clothes no longer fit they will fit another child that might need them.
  
  
• Go through the cabinets with your child and collect canned fruits and vegetables or other non-perishable items that can be donated to a local food bank or pantry. Again if you have younger children this is another opportunity to play a game and have them shop in your pantry for someone less fortunate. Letting your children know young or old that their are families that struggle to put food on the table and that by giving food from your pantry you will be feeding a family and making them feel loved and cared for.
  
  
• Take your child to the local toy store and have them pick out an item for a less fortunate child. Many programs that work with children, including shelters and mental health centers, accept new toys year-round. Or donate a toy that you have purchased to Toys for Tots for more information about this organization click on this link. www.toysfortots.org
  

Talking to your children about charities and let them decide which one they are most interested in some charities help other children, and some help animals though each one is different the common denominator is that they are volunteers helping other people.

Ideas From - The Volunteer Family Organization

• Make pillows, cards, games, or stuffed toys for children who are sick in the hospital
• Make booboo bunnies for children to receive at a health clinic or at school
• Collect items to make baby bags for poor mothers who recently had a baby -- can contain diapers, baby bottles, pacifiers, burp rags, formula, baby food, etc.
• Plan and share craft projects with other children
• Plan a special event outing or field trip for kids in a low-income preschool
• Bake and decorate cookies with children
• Read with children at a local hospital or wellness center
• Help children at an after-school program develop their talents -- have rehearsal time and hold a talent show
• Hold a drive to collect sunscreen/flip flops/healthy snacks/school supplies for children
• Teach children a special skill or recipe
• Hold clothing drives and donate clothes that are in good condition to those in need
• Re-paint or rebuild playground equipment
• Teach music lessons to children in need
• Lead a craft project with children that will help elderly in a nursing home
• Have a birthday supply drive to give a child in need the party supplies necessary for a birthday party
• Make, buy, or donate toys for children in orphanages or shelters
• Sort through clothing, toys or books others have donated for children in need
• Play basketball or other sports with children in need
• Write letters to local and governmental leaders about the need to protect children from abuse and neglect
• Donate your hair for children with cancer or other medical conditions
• Read books to a sick child
• Befriend a disadvantaged child
• Put together a baby layette for new moms
• Help new mothers with the first 12 weeks postpartum
• Make a first-day-of-school package with school supplies
• Conduct a fundraiser to help send a child to summer camp
• Make care packages (i.e. sunscreen, stationery, stamps) for children at camp
• Talk as a family - and with other families and children - about what it means to be “safe kids”
• Write letters to or for sick children
• Organize a teddy bear drive
• Draw pictures for Save the Children
• Donate and sort books, clothes and party supplies for disadvantaged children
• Select and wrap gifts for the holidays
• Teach computer skills to children
• Donate your favorite (healthy!) snack to give to children in need

This information was borrowed from www.TheVolunteerFamily.org
Find this and many other wonderful voluteer sites under our Links section.