It's been a while since I've made an entry other than to update the list on my first post. I haven't really had much time to do much. I have made a few quilt tops, but need to find the time to finish them. One is nearly finished. It is a baby quilt that will be donated to the teen parenting class at a local high school. I'd like to take some pictures and post them, but I'm not much of a camera person.
Recently I saw some men's shoes on clearance for $5. I bought two pair. As it will be summer soon and these were closed shoes, I wasn't sure how useful they would be or what sizes were needed most. I took them to a local shelter along with a bottle of shampoo. I was surprised at how the receptionist's face lit up when she saw the shoes. She said they really needed men's shoes. Some men need them for work. I wished I had purchased more. But my finances are very limited right now.
Yesterday I saw some men's work boots on clearance for $3. This time I bought 5 pair. I haven't had a chance to take them in yet. Today I saw a man picking up recycling in a parking lot. His shoes looked like he had them for a long time. I asked him what size shoe he wears and if he would like a new pair of boots. I had one pair in his size and gave them to him. I hope to get the other 4 pair in to the shelter soon.
Today I was in a department store and the cashier told me if I purchased another $6.15 I would get a coupon for $10 off the total purchase. I had seen some t-shirts, so went to look at them again. There was a teen girl there with her mother. I told her if she could quickly pick out a shirt her mother approved that cost between $6.15 and $10, I would purchase it for her. I asked for a gift receipt and took it back to the girl and her mother. She seemed happy I had done this for her. The shirt was $7.99, so I got $2 off my purchase. I'm not sure this counts as an act of kindness since I benefited from it. It also doesn't relate to the number 60 and doesn't fit a category on my list. It did feel good to do something nice for a stranger with no expectation of getting something in return.
Well, I went back and bought out the remaining work boots at $3 a pair. There was one more pair of the shoes also down to $3. Including the first 5 pair, there was a total of 10 pairs of work boots and 1 pair of shoes. I took them all to the homeless shelter. Two workers were walking up as I was getting the shoes/boots out of the trunk. They offered to help me take them in. They and the receptionist all seemed very happy to get them.
The quilt for the teen parenting class is just a few stitches short of completion. I also have one nearly finished for taking to a care home. I hope to have several finished by Mother's Day to take to women in a retirement home who do not have family visiting them. Time is getting short and I don't know if I will meet this goal, but I will do my best.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
4th entry
Things have been really hectic so I haven't posted lately. I have made a few donations, but nothing special. I have been trying to find places to leave books, and it isn't easy. The hospital waiting rooms are concerned about germs. The airport didn't have anyone to talk to when I went there. I will try there again during business hours and also the local bus depots.
I'm still trying to come up with ideas. I'm half way at least.
I'm still trying to come up with ideas. I'm half way at least.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Third Entry
Well today I gave away another sock package. I drove around looking for someone who looked homeless. I saw a man riding a bike and picking up bottles/cans on the side of the road. I almost stopped. But I wasn't sure he was homeless. Maybe he was just retired and supplementing his income. I didn't want to insult him. I had noticed that sometimes the homeless hang out around fast food places. So I drove to a fast food place. There was a man in the parking lot sitting on the curb by a bicycle. I pulled the car close to him and rolled my window down. I asked him if he needed socks. He said yes and came over to the car. I handed the scok package to him through the window. I explained there were some goodies in it. He seemed very happy to receive some kindness from someone. He looked like an alcoholic or drug addict. He might have needed the plastic too, but I was a little scared of getting out of the car to take the plastic out of the trunk and spread it out and cut it. I need to get over that fear. It was a public place and I was doing something kind for him.
It was cold today and there was a bit of rain. I had a big pot of chili on the stove. I wanted to take it somewhere to pass out to homeless. But I don't have disposable bowls and spoons and I don't know where I would have taken it. I also don't know if there are laws I would have to follow. I will have to keep my eyes open for disposable bowls and spoons. Maybe this can be another act of kindness, passing out food to the homeless on my own instead of a homeless shelter. There is a charity locally that serves lunch from a truck. But they don't serve on weekends. So I could try doing this on weekends. Yes, I think I will add this to my list. Just a loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter distributed on the weekends would be helpful.
I'm not making a lot of progress, but then I have a few years and I need more ideas for my list.
It was cold today and there was a bit of rain. I had a big pot of chili on the stove. I wanted to take it somewhere to pass out to homeless. But I don't have disposable bowls and spoons and I don't know where I would have taken it. I also don't know if there are laws I would have to follow. I will have to keep my eyes open for disposable bowls and spoons. Maybe this can be another act of kindness, passing out food to the homeless on my own instead of a homeless shelter. There is a charity locally that serves lunch from a truck. But they don't serve on weekends. So I could try doing this on weekends. Yes, I think I will add this to my list. Just a loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter distributed on the weekends would be helpful.
I'm not making a lot of progress, but then I have a few years and I need more ideas for my list.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Second Entry
Yesterday I took two sock packages with me. I found a small group of people to the side of a street who looked like they might be homeless or needy. I pulled over and stopped. I rolled down my window. A couple of them came over and I asked if anyone needed socks. They said yes and another man came over. Then a second man was also indicated as in need of socks. I handed them the socks and explained there were some items inside that might be useful for them. Then I left. I don't know what their reaction was to the items inside or if they shared any of the items. It would be helpful to have some feedback on what items are most useful and which are not useful and suggestions on what items might be a better option.
Also yesterday I picked up some more toothbrushes. I originally purchased 10, but I am putting those in sock packages. I found some for 50 cents each. So I bought 10 more yesterday to take to a homeless shelter. Today I took some items to the local food bank/homeless shelter. I was able to donate all 60 razors at once. That was good. I really need to find more acts for my list. So far I only have about 1/3 the number of acts of kindness I need.
Also yesterday I picked up some more toothbrushes. I originally purchased 10, but I am putting those in sock packages. I found some for 50 cents each. So I bought 10 more yesterday to take to a homeless shelter. Today I took some items to the local food bank/homeless shelter. I was able to donate all 60 razors at once. That was good. I really need to find more acts for my list. So far I only have about 1/3 the number of acts of kindness I need.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
First Entry
So, here I am planning 60 acts of kindness. It's not as easy as it sounds. My 60th birthday is still several years away and I thought this would be a good way to celebrate. I have some simple guidelines. I must remain anonymous. I will not support organized charities or do fund raising. I would like each act to be somehow connected to the number 60. While I want the acts to be acts, so far most involve money. That's not what I have in mind but for now it is the best I can do.
If anyone reads this, I hope you will make some suggestions for me if you have any.
Right now I am going through some tough times. Many people are. I won't elaborate. But it has been my practice, when someone does something mean to me, to try to "balance the scales of the universe" by trying to do something nice for someone anonymously. I know people sometimes celebrate a milestone birthday by doing something physical like bungee jumping or parachuting. I decided I'd rather celebrate a milestone birthday by trying in some small way to make the world a better place. And it may "balance" some of the hateful things that have been done to me lately.
Here is my list so far:
1. 28 gift boxes to armed forces members
2. 60 trees
3. 60 toothbrushes to homeless shelter - Done!
4. 58 bags of dog food to shelter
5. 59 coats to homeless shelter
6. 19 books to a school or shelter
7. visit 54 shut-ins
8. 41 stuffed socks to homeless
9. 53 bags of cat food to shelter
10. 56 bags of cat litter to shelter
11. 43 pairs of shoes to a homeless shelter
12. 59 prepared food dishes to homeless shelter
13. 55 boxes of bandages to homeless shelter
14. 58 towels to animal shelter
15. 60 hours of volunteering at animal shelter
16. 58 toys to battered women’s shelter
17. 51 bags of rice to food bank
18. 56 bags of beans to food bank
19. 42 tarps to homeless for sleeping mats
20. 57 blankets to homeless
21. 60 razors to a homeless shelter - done!
22. 42 quilts to charity (baby, lap, twin, etc)
23. 53 tote bags to charity
24. 53 jars of peanut butter with bread to homeless on weekends
25. 52 pillow cases to homeless/women's shelter
26. 37 bottles of shampoo to homeless/women's shelter
27. 50 books left in random places for anyone who wants to read a book
28. 59 vases of flowers to residents of care homes
29. 58 sweaters to a homeless shelter
30. 60 hours of volunteer ushering at local center for the performing arts - Done!
31. 58 snacks to emergency workers (ie firemen, highway patrol)
32. 58 prom dresses to local high school (given free to high school girls)
33. 51 bags of potatoes to homeless shelter/food pantry
34. 59 packages of feminine hygiene products to a homeless shelter
35. 48 pounds of garden vegetables to shelter
36. 59 bottles of electrolytes to a shelter
37. 59 boxes of laundry detergent to a shelter
38. 59 bottles of cooking oil to a shelter
39. 59 bags of masa to a food bank
40. 58 lbs of lentils to a food bank
41. 60 lbs of chickpeas to a food bank
42. 23 loaves of bread to a food bank/shelter
43. 60 hours of volunteering at local museum - DONE!
44. 52 cans of vegetables to a food bank
45. 59 bags of salad to a food bank
46. 56 pounds of oatmeal to a food bank
47. 50 hair ties to homeless
48. 56 rain panchos to homeless/shelter
49. 49 tubes of toothpaste to a shelter
50. 59 bags of corn husks (for tamales) to food bank/shelter
51. 55 pairs of shoe laces to homeless/shelter
52. 10 yards of fabric to charity quilting
53. 56 lbs of tvp to food pantry
I haven't yet figured out what trees or who to give them to. I'm hoping for fruit trees that will be used to help feed homeless and poor people. Whenever I make a donation, I will deduct it from the number of that item. I figure the only way I can do this is by chipping away at it. I don't have to do each item all at once.
I picked up a few items today that I haven't donated yet. Until they are donated, they don't count. A few items were inspired by an article I found online. There was a suggestion that homeless people need plastic to sleep on to keep dry.
Yesterday, Christmas, I took a large roll of plastic and a blanket and went looking for a homeless person or persons who might want the plastic and blanket. I found two men sleeping on the wet grass in a park. It was a bit scary, but I parked and got out of the car. I cut up the plastic into two pieces large enough to sleep on, put them on the grass, put a blanket on one, and put a wrapped biscotti on each. As I was leaving, another man came up on a bicycle and started talking to one of the men. I told him the plastic and blanket were for the two men. I was sorry there was only one blanket. He got the man he was talking to to lay on the plastic and covered him with the blanket.
Today I went shopping. I had read a suggestion somewhere to take socks and put one inside the other, then fill them with health care items for the homeless. I bought 5 pairs of long, thick socks today. I filled one with things like soap, granola bar, bandages, antiseptic cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, chapstick. I will make at least one more sock package tonight. I will put them in the car and whenever I see a homeless person that looks like he/she could use the care package, I will hand it out.
There are some reasons for some of my guidelines. I don't want to "enable" anyone with addictions, so I won't give money. I don't want to give anything that violates my personal value system. But I want to acknowledge that all of us humans need to be given respect and compassion. I want to do what I can to meet the needs of others, even though I am just one person and very limited, especially financially at this time.
While it would be nice if I inspired others to show compassion in some way, I don't want to take credit for anything like that. I am in need of more acts of kindness for my list, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Peace out.
If anyone reads this, I hope you will make some suggestions for me if you have any.
Right now I am going through some tough times. Many people are. I won't elaborate. But it has been my practice, when someone does something mean to me, to try to "balance the scales of the universe" by trying to do something nice for someone anonymously. I know people sometimes celebrate a milestone birthday by doing something physical like bungee jumping or parachuting. I decided I'd rather celebrate a milestone birthday by trying in some small way to make the world a better place. And it may "balance" some of the hateful things that have been done to me lately.
Here is my list so far:
1. 28 gift boxes to armed forces members
2. 60 trees
3. 60 toothbrushes to homeless shelter - Done!
4. 58 bags of dog food to shelter
5. 59 coats to homeless shelter
6. 19 books to a school or shelter
7. visit 54 shut-ins
8. 41 stuffed socks to homeless
9. 53 bags of cat food to shelter
10. 56 bags of cat litter to shelter
11. 43 pairs of shoes to a homeless shelter
12. 59 prepared food dishes to homeless shelter
13. 55 boxes of bandages to homeless shelter
14. 58 towels to animal shelter
15. 60 hours of volunteering at animal shelter
16. 58 toys to battered women’s shelter
17. 51 bags of rice to food bank
18. 56 bags of beans to food bank
19. 42 tarps to homeless for sleeping mats
20. 57 blankets to homeless
21. 60 razors to a homeless shelter - done!
22. 42 quilts to charity (baby, lap, twin, etc)
23. 53 tote bags to charity
24. 53 jars of peanut butter with bread to homeless on weekends
25. 52 pillow cases to homeless/women's shelter
26. 37 bottles of shampoo to homeless/women's shelter
27. 50 books left in random places for anyone who wants to read a book
28. 59 vases of flowers to residents of care homes
29. 58 sweaters to a homeless shelter
30. 60 hours of volunteer ushering at local center for the performing arts - Done!
31. 58 snacks to emergency workers (ie firemen, highway patrol)
32. 58 prom dresses to local high school (given free to high school girls)
33. 51 bags of potatoes to homeless shelter/food pantry
34. 59 packages of feminine hygiene products to a homeless shelter
35. 48 pounds of garden vegetables to shelter
36. 59 bottles of electrolytes to a shelter
37. 59 boxes of laundry detergent to a shelter
38. 59 bottles of cooking oil to a shelter
39. 59 bags of masa to a food bank
40. 58 lbs of lentils to a food bank
41. 60 lbs of chickpeas to a food bank
42. 23 loaves of bread to a food bank/shelter
43. 60 hours of volunteering at local museum - DONE!
44. 52 cans of vegetables to a food bank
45. 59 bags of salad to a food bank
46. 56 pounds of oatmeal to a food bank
47. 50 hair ties to homeless
48. 56 rain panchos to homeless/shelter
49. 49 tubes of toothpaste to a shelter
50. 59 bags of corn husks (for tamales) to food bank/shelter
51. 55 pairs of shoe laces to homeless/shelter
52. 10 yards of fabric to charity quilting
53. 56 lbs of tvp to food pantry
I haven't yet figured out what trees or who to give them to. I'm hoping for fruit trees that will be used to help feed homeless and poor people. Whenever I make a donation, I will deduct it from the number of that item. I figure the only way I can do this is by chipping away at it. I don't have to do each item all at once.
I picked up a few items today that I haven't donated yet. Until they are donated, they don't count. A few items were inspired by an article I found online. There was a suggestion that homeless people need plastic to sleep on to keep dry.
Yesterday, Christmas, I took a large roll of plastic and a blanket and went looking for a homeless person or persons who might want the plastic and blanket. I found two men sleeping on the wet grass in a park. It was a bit scary, but I parked and got out of the car. I cut up the plastic into two pieces large enough to sleep on, put them on the grass, put a blanket on one, and put a wrapped biscotti on each. As I was leaving, another man came up on a bicycle and started talking to one of the men. I told him the plastic and blanket were for the two men. I was sorry there was only one blanket. He got the man he was talking to to lay on the plastic and covered him with the blanket.
Today I went shopping. I had read a suggestion somewhere to take socks and put one inside the other, then fill them with health care items for the homeless. I bought 5 pairs of long, thick socks today. I filled one with things like soap, granola bar, bandages, antiseptic cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, chapstick. I will make at least one more sock package tonight. I will put them in the car and whenever I see a homeless person that looks like he/she could use the care package, I will hand it out.
There are some reasons for some of my guidelines. I don't want to "enable" anyone with addictions, so I won't give money. I don't want to give anything that violates my personal value system. But I want to acknowledge that all of us humans need to be given respect and compassion. I want to do what I can to meet the needs of others, even though I am just one person and very limited, especially financially at this time.
While it would be nice if I inspired others to show compassion in some way, I don't want to take credit for anything like that. I am in need of more acts of kindness for my list, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Peace out.
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