Nursing Home Follow Up

Hello everyone! Despite the smaller group, we had a wonderful time at the Golden Years Nursing Home! The staff there was outstanding and the patients were so appreciative of the kid's efforts! I heard several of them make statements that they just don't get to see kids very often! It made the trip soooo worth it!

I would like to thank Stephanie for coordinating this event for us! Stephanie - that was so much help!! Thank you!! And I also want to thank Jennifer for bringing some chocolate with her... it was a major hit when we were passing out the cards....Big Time!!!! And even though Jennifer did not take credit for it in the email she sent Saturday... she worked as hard on getting the card packets ready for everyone as I did! Thanks Jennifer!! The cards were adorable! I have made a slide show of some of the pictures that were taken Saturday. Enjoy!!

Nursing Home Slide Show

Cards For Soldiers

Can we say WOW!?! The cards the kids made for the soldiers are totally amazing! They did such a fabulous job of showing the soldiers how much they care about them and appreciate the way they serve our country. We had a wonderful turnout for this event and were able to collect so many delicious goodies for the active duty soldiers that risk their lives everyday to protect us and our freedoms! (I guess they do deserve some delicious goodies!) Most of the cards and snacks were sent to Afganastan to a group of approximately 25 soldiers. Another box was sent to Abby's uncle who is currently based in Hawaii and a box was sent to a friend of Amy's who is actively serving! I think our group gave a lot of very grateful soldiers a much needed smile!

Cards For Soldiers Slide Show

A giant thank you to all of you who joined as we teamed up with One Heart Ministries for our December event, delivering Christmas gifts to the disabled people in our community. I know things were a little crazy at first (finding gifts, wrapping gifts, labeling gifts....) but I think it was so worth the effort! The disabled individuals who were the receipients of the gifts were so thankful and excited to not only get some gifts, but to see the new faces of people who cared enough to bring them. Thank you to all of the drivers who drove all over the city looking for the homes to deliver the gifts to! And Co-pilots, hopefully you all did a better job of reading the maps for your driver than I did for mine!! (You rock Myra!!) And I have to admit, I was super excited to have my brother, Greg, on my list to deliver to! He was soooooo excited!!!!! For a little while, I didn't think he was going to let us leave! I even had to change a lightbulb for him before we could go!! Heehee!! But I think we need to take the time to give out one special award for this event! The award is "I'm a Trooper!!" and it goes out to Jason Hoeppner who not only showed up with three small children, let them help him wrap and organize (while showing an amazing amount of patience!) but then he had to deliver the gifts on his own with the kids!! No co-pilot!! And he did it!!! Way to go Jason!!! You have totally earned this award!! :)

One Heart Christmas Deliveries Slide Show

Help a Neighbor Day

I think everyone enjoyed joining together to help two elderly women who live in our community with their yard work. The first yard was soooo large and full of leaves...but our group jumped right in and took on the challenge. Before long, we had completely raked all of the yard and had a HUGE pile of leaves waiting by the road for pick up!! I'm just not sure if they had more fun raking the leaves or jumping in them!! I am sure that Norma appreciated our work because she sent the most lovely thank you note to our group!! Since we completed this yard so quickly, we then moved on to a second yard. Even though the yard was smaller, there was still plenty to do! And we have to give Mike Pond a special pat on the back for mowing the lawn!!! The kids had so much fun... I'm sure this is one we will be doing again!!