We know October is busy but many of you have recently asked how you can give back before the year is over. I will keep looking for fun and easy ideas for your families into 2019! Right now, here are some things going on some of you may be interested in!
November 17th is FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY sponsored by Disney.
Now is a great time to get started and organize a way to help serve your community that day. And who said family can’t include friends that are family?
OCTOBER EVENTS!
Host some marines or service members for Thanksgiving
A couple of years ago we started doing this and it was by far the best Thanksgiving we had. Everyone enjoyed having these young marines away from home come to our home and enjoy a great meal, games and some fun. There are several organizations that help manage the process from beginning to end with easy times for pick up in your area, drop off, etc. If you are in Orange County we recommend the Villa Park “Adopt a Marine” Which you can register for here.
If you live elsewhere, you can contact any local base and ask who you can speak with to host some marines for the holidays. Most bases have programs directed towards these such events.
The Compton Initiative
The Compton Initiative has been beautifying and improving Compton for years now. We jumped in last spring (seen above) with the kiddos and they had so much fun, they didn’t want to leave and asked for MONTHS when we could do it again. They do these sessions quarterly and start off in the morning with a pep rally and then give you your project with a team of volunteers. Last time we painted the outside of a church and had ages starting with age 3 with us. They paired us with volunteers from Starbucks and we painted this church and were done late morning. The mayor even stopped by and said the neighbors in that neighborhood said that this program has brought their neighborhood together and closer than the residents have ever seen. The residents said it’s completely changed the mood and dynamic of the people there, not just the buildings and gardens. Click here to learn more or sign up for October 20th!
Traveling Tutus
We have implemented this program with my daytime job company. We are currently collecting gently used dance clothes, shoes and costumes for free dance classes offered to underprivileged children around the world. If you wish to donate any items we are doing a mass shipment in January. Please contact Kim here for more information.
Halloween Costume donations
Donate your old Halloween costumes by October 15th and we will get them into the hands of kids that cannot afford costumes this year. Not in OC? Do your own drive or collect from your friends, schools and sports teams and donate to a local program near you. If you cannot find one contact Kim for several organizations that collect year round.
Food donations
The holidays are coming up and I am one to plan ahead to avoid stress during this busy time. There are local food pantries that will be asking soon for donations for the holidays. For Orange County, my friend at Operation Warm Wishes had a brilliant idea of getting a storage unit donated for their food bank. This is now open and I am accepting donations to help supply his local bank! Here is the article in the OC Register. He is a total stud!
Here’s to being awesome this October! Let us know how we can help you spread the word!!
Kim
