St. Therese Catholic Church - Shrine of the Little Flower

An IPad? A Zhu Zhu Pet? Jewelry? A new pair of jeans? A designer purse? A new laptop? … Could these be items on your Christmas list? What are the chances you will get what you have asked for on your Christmas list this year? For some, the chances might be high but for so many others, the chances of getting what they want, or for that matter, what they need are not very high. Thus is the case for the people we met and served as we volunteered at St. Therese Catholic Church located in the Blue Hills neighborhood of mid-town Kansas City, Missouri.

St. Therese Catholic Church is heavily involved in improving and supporting its community from helping to remove drug houses, to fighting crime, to serving their low-income and elderly residents and so much more. It is located in an area of Kansas City that is racially mixed and culturally diverse. St. Therese's parishioners embrace everyone and welcome all. That is evident the first time you step through the doors.

One particular annual service that St. Therese provides is their Christmas Basket Program. Volunteering for this program at St. Therese has actually been an annual tradition for my mom, Therese and me for almost the last 20 years. The seed was planted by my mom as she was the first one to start volunteering there years ago, and she would come home sharing her experiences with me. When I had the opportunity to take off work during that time of the year I joined my mom and experienced first-hand what she was talking about. It wasn't long after that that Therese and her then year-old daughter, Meredith, joined in.

Toiletries, paper goods, liquid items.

Knitted hats from around the country.

Donated bikes.

The Christmas Basket Program gives low-income individuals and families the opportunity to provide presents and food that they might otherwise not have. It is a very organized program. It is set up in the basement of the Church and is sectioned into three different areas. One section allows people to choose age-appropriate gifts for family members. Another section provides staple items like diapers, toiletries, dry goods and a wide variety of paper goods. The third section, which is the section that we volunteer in, provides a large amount of canned goods. In "our" section we were known as "the Bag Ladies" because we were responsible for filling paper sacks with cans of beans, corn, peas, soup, spaghetti sauce and a multitude of other canned goods. By the end of the day, our bodies were sore, our arms were scratched up and our feet were tired but our hearts were full of warmth knowing that this year these families would be able to feed their families, watch their kids open presents and have use of everyday items that we all take for granted.

Therese and Mom filling bags.

Mom and Meredith pulling canned goods.

Sandy and Ernestine checking the client list.

Helping those whom cannot help themselves is very rewarding in itself. This is one reason that we continue to go back year after year. However, another reason that we enjoy volunteering at St. Therese is the people we serve with. There are so many warm and giving volunteers that come from all walks of life that we are privileged to stand next to and work with at St. Therese during this time of year. They come for the same reason that we do … to help those in need and share the grace of God. There is a special bond that has formed over the years with the many people that we have worked with. We may not only see them but once a year but it always seems like it was just yesterday that we stood next to them and filled bags of groceries.

Sandy, Therese and B.J.

Ernestine and Joe

Jo in the Gift section.

Christmas is the time of year that we honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Sometimes though the true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the commercialism of finding the most expensive or "perfect" gift for your loved one or the self-centered aspects of our everyday lives and hectic schedules. We forget that the true gift to each other during this time of the year (and every day) is in the gift of giving … giving of one's time and one's talent. Where we see despair in other's lives, and we have the ability to give hope and lift them up, it is incumbent on us to do so.

Sharon (Mom), Ernestine, Sandy, Therese and Joe

Warm covers … a pair of gloves … a Christmas dinner … a simple toy for a toddler. These are items you will find on the Christmas lists of those we served. Nothing fancy like the gifts listed above yet so needed and appreciated by the people who receive them. Giving of our time and volunteering at St. Therese was worth so much more to us than receiving any gift that one could give us this Christmas. May the giving spirit be with you this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Made by our special little helper, Meredith.

 

 

What gift of time and talent will you give throughout the new year?

Women Build — Habitat for Humanity

There is nothing like the feeling of literally having a hand in knowing that you can contribute to making someone's life just a little bit better. That is the feeling I had when I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program to help in the construction of a new home for a family who would not be able to afford one otherwise.

Unfortunately, this was one of those times where I was not able to participate in a volunteer activity with my sister, Therese, but it was an opportunity I did not want to miss. The selected location for the construction of the new house was at 22nd and Quindaro in Kansas City, KS. When I pulled up, I saw a modest structure with walls already braced up, a roof that had the paper secured on it and the basic shell of a house.

I chose the Women Build program because I wanted to help with the construction of a house but I knew that I was not as saavy when it came to the technical aspects of construction. I already knew how to swing a hammer, lift a paint brush and had some very basic skills but I knew I would need instruction on how to perform the needs or duties that were unfamiliar to me. I thought I would be able to learn better from another experienced woman instructing me and possibly work side-by-side instead of just being an "assistant" as I had experienced in other house building projects I had participated in the past.

The need that day was framing up walls in the basement or installing the composite shingles on the roof … I chose the roof. I had never done anything remotely close to roofing before and I let them know that but I told them if shown, I could learn how to do it. So, throwing any trepidation aside, I climbed up the ladder and spent my day on the roof helping others lay down the composite shingles. Standing on top of the roof, looking down at the other houses in the neighborhood (some where fairly run down), I was reminded as to why I was there ... I was literally helping to put a "roof" over a low-income family's head.

Habitat for Humanity is yet another opportunity for people to involve themselves in something special. Their Women Build program "promotes the involvement of women in the eradication of poverty housing by working on the construction of Habitat houses. Women Build projects provide low-income families with decent, affordable homes and an opportunity for women to learn construction in a supportive, encouraging and empowering environment." 

So, pick up the hammer … what are you waiting for?

How can you "build" up someone else's life and make a difference?

The Life Giving Gift of Blood

Did you know that every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and that more than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day? I always knew blood supplies were an important factor in each city especially during certain times of the years but it's hard for me to grasp that every 2 seconds someone is in need of the blood supplied by various agencies. It's something that many take for granted until it's needed. We all have our own supply of this precious gift but not all have the ability to give. In fact, according to the Red Cross less than 38% of the population qualify to donate. Regardless of which percentage line you fall upon, each of us can help contribute to adding to the nations blood supply.

I work with someone who takes it upon himself to organize a blood drive each year. I usually donate at his drive as well as the one organized through my church. I spent a lifetime afraid of needles and would always shy away from donating until a loved one and friend were hospitalized and were in need of blood. I wasn't able to donate for them specifically but as a wife, mother, daughter and sister I couldn't bare the thought of someone needing something that I can so easily give.
Thinking about giving it a chance? You don't need to wait for a drive in your area in order to donate just check online for the blood centers in your area. Most have walk in availability.

So maybe you've already talked yourself out of trying to donate. Too busy, hate needles, faint at the sight of blood well there are other ways to save lives and it's as easy as picking up a pen and signing the back of your drivers license to be an organ donor. All it takes is a pen.

What are you waiting for?
Make a difference in somebody's life!

The Giving Goes International!

The second part of our trip up North entailed having a Mother/Daughter Weekend (minus one of our sisters unfortunately) in Canada spending it at the Evergreen Gate Bed & Breakfast in Selkirk, Manitoba. While crossing the border into Canada we had run into an "issue" with my mom's passport. Canada almost didn't let her in their country because of insufficient documentation. And, even though they eventually did allow her to cross the border into Canada, the concern at that point was whether the U.S. would allow her back into the country given the issue we had already encountered.

Fortunately, we were granted permission to cross the border; and once inside, we stopped at the duty-free shop to exchange our currency. Aside from the Canadian pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters we received, we were also given "loonies" ($1 coins) and "toonies" ($2 coins) in exchange for our American dollars.

The drive from the Canadian border to where we were staying was scenic at first but the magnificent blue sky with the farm-like landscape slowly transformed into the outskirts of the city and then to the Downtown district of Manitoba. There was one section that we drove through that was characterized as "Skidrow" with the stereotypical seedy hotels, pawn shops, homeless people walking the streets and people gathered around the Salvation Army building waiting for the doors to open. It was driving through that section of town that we were able to see the side of Canada one typically does not see in the brightly colored tourist brochures one peruses before going on vacation. Once we reached our destination and settled in for the weekend, our time in Canada was spent enjoying the scenery, going shopping, taking a paddlewheel ride up the Red River and just spending time together.

Good times were had in Canada but the days went quickly and it was time to pack up and head back to the states. With new lifelong memories to take back with us and a sense of apprehension about getting back into the U.S. we also had pockets full of Canadian currency that we had acquired. Therese had come up with a brilliant idea as we began our travel back to the border. Why not combine all of the loonies and toonies and other Canadian currency leftover from my mom and sisters into one lump sum and purchase as many McDonald sandwiches as we could and hand them out to the homeless in the Skidrow district as we made our way back to the border? What a truly magnificent idea! Showing compassion and caring for our fellow human beings by giving the gift of food to those in need. 

As we drove the streets searching for those who appeared to be down on their luck, my sisters, Therese and Patty, would jump out and hand an unsuspecting person a hamburger or chicken sandwich. Some who were approached were hesitant or suspicious but once they saw there was "no catch" their hesitation turned into gratitude. One particular gentleman who was by himself leaning against a building had a look of loneliness and despair. Therese walked up to him, offered him a sandwich and a smile beamed on his face as he lit up.

There was also a father with two small children on one of the side streets near the Salvation Army who appeared to be busy fixing a problem with a tire. Were they living out of this vehicle? We weren't sure and didn't ask. Showing respect and allowing one to keep their dignity in tact is what is important. He was approached by Therese and Patty and given three sandwiches. The children were so excited to receive McDonald hamburgers.

With one sandwich remaining, my mom made mention of a man she saw a couple of blocks back who appeared to have difficulty making his way up the street. His clothing was soiled and tattered and he walked with a distinct limp. As we turned around and found him, he was attempting to cross Main Street. I was able to pull over on the other side of the street and let Patty get out to take him a sandwich. As she approached him, the man was in the process of lifting up the lid of a trash can to see what he might find inside. At that point, Patty handed the man the last sandwich we had purchased and the lid to the trash can was closed. To think, his next meal may have been someone's discarded leftovers in the garbage. Sadly, this is the reality not only in Canada but in every country on a daily basis. 

It didn't take much … just an idea and turning that idea into action. Although the gift was nothing more than a sandwich we were able to feed much more than just their hunger. Just as "The Prayer of St. Francis" expresses, where there was despair, we wanted to give hope. Where there was darkness, we wanted to give light. And, where there was sadness, we wanted to give joy. 


We eventually made our way back to the border with a profound feeling of satisfaction and joy knowing that we had made a difference in someone's life that day. And, although we were unsure as to whether we were going to make it back to the states without incident, it was with the grace of God watching over us and surprisingly my Jayhawks that we were able to cross back over to the United States. (Side note: the border guard was an alum from North Dakota State University (NDSU) who happened to be the team that beat the KU Jayhawk's football team while we were vacationing in Canada. Needless to say, he was in a giving mood as well that day.)

Even on Vacation ...

Vacations are usually designed and meant for rest and relaxation. Perhaps hanging out on a beach watching a sunset or hiking with some friends up the side of a mountain or even playing 18 holes of golf with some college buddies at a well-known golf course. Vacations usually don't include having to think about or do anything for other people, let alone people we don't even know. Therese and I chose to change this popular position about vacations, and what it is all about, and show that just because you are on vacation doesn't mean that you can't give a small gift of your time to those who are in need.

We, along with our mom, started our long journey to Minnesota last Thursday to visit our other sister, Patty, and her family. One of our goals was to find something not only that we could do to continue our mission but something that could be done along with my mom, my sister and her two kids, Austin and Abby. They also share the giving spirit and compassion for others. My sister, Patty, came up with the perfect place, The Great Plains Food Bank, located in Fargo, North Dakota. This is an organization which collects surplus food and grocery products and distributes them to the hungry through charitable feeding programs.

Gathering food to fill the boxes.

Our task for the day was to organize and fill boxes with a variety of food products which would then be shipped to those in need. Each box contained things we take for granted: meat, cereal, canned goods, powdered milk, pasta, etc. Items we don't give a second thought to when we go to the grocery store and fill our baskets when we are in need. The people these boxes were going to don't have that luxury. Their shopping carts usually contain everything they own and value in this world. Although we did not get to see the people who would receive these boxes face to face, we felt and saw their need as we passed many homeless people on our drive to the facility. We saw the look of despair and hopelessness of the many who wandered the streets not having a place to call home or knowing where their next meal would be coming from.

One whole skid of filled boxes at the end of the day.

The truly amazing part about this experience was that it turned into a "family affair," not because my mom, sister, niece and nephew "had" to help, but because they wanted to help without hesitation. Planting the "seed" in the mind of younger ones as to the importance of doing for others is the true goal. It is our responsibility to teach them that they too can help others in need and make a difference with the gift of their time no matter how old or how young.

Yes, vacations can be filled with wonderful experiences, amazing adventures and fantastic food but sometimes the amazing part of the adventure can lie in the unforgettable experience of giving to those the gift of your time.

What can you do on your next vacation to make a difference?

Our First Gift

Have you ever gone into someone's home to find piles of newspapers, mail and clothes and think this person has a problem? Perhaps you've driven through a neighborhood and noticed one home that doesn't look as well kept as the others and immediately thought poorly of those who live there. Why don't some people notice the disarray around them and willingly live in an unkempt space? It's not our place to judge these individuals. Instead try to place yourself in their shoes. That's just what we did this weekend. A neighbor whom I had never met was in such a situation. I had heard of this neighbor through another neighbor and while strolling one day through the neighborhood noticed she was in need of some help. I called her to introduce myself and offer some yard work but was met with disbelief. Her concern was "What's the catch?"


It's not our purpose to point out people's mistakes or bad luck but to lift them up with their dignity intact. She reluctantly agreed to allow us to come over on Saturday and spruce up her yard. So it began. Our new journey of actively seeking out the opportunity to be the loving hands of Christ by helping each other in times of need. Not only did she appreciated the labor of love we were doing for her but the small gesture of giving home grown tomatoes were also well received. We had the opportunity to share a conversation, create a new outdoor space for her to enjoy and, most importantly, let someone know we cared.

How are you going to let someone know you care this week?

A Gift of Time … How It Started

Who would have thought that an annual visit to the eye doctor would jumpstart a long-standing desire of two sisters to help others in their lives and make a difference?

It started with the usual waiting that one does when you go to a doctor of any kind. Arrive to your appointment early, hope to get in earlier than your scheduled time, but usually end up waiting. This visit was no different. My wait consisted of a small waiting area with a few choice magazines to read. Nothing really appealed to me so I decided to pick up the Reader's Digest - Large Print Version (which makes sense because I was afterall in an eye doctor's office). I skimmed over most of the articles but there was one that caught my eye in particular. The article, Make It Matter: Blogging for a Better World, was about a woman, Raegan Payne, who turned one volunteer activity into 50 different volunteer projects over the course of a year and blogged about them in her blog thegoodmuse.com. Her goal was to show people different ways to get involved. After reading this article, I was inspired and the wheels started to turn.

It didn't take much to recruit Therese to join my cause because we have had discussions in the past about how we wanted to do something so much more than what we do on a day-to-day basis. Something with a purpose … something unselfish … something good. A "Pay It Forward" so to speak. Thus, with thought and desire, we have decided to start this journey of giving our Gift of Time to those who need it. A journey which we hope will provide happiness and hope to others who are less fortunate and in need and to reflect the presence of God in our lives. And, hopefully, as we share with others our experiences through our blog it too will inspire at least one other person to make a difference in someone else's life.

We welcome any thoughts or suggestions for volunteer opportunities. No matter how big or small the endeavor may be, we hope that our "light" will shine and will make a difference somehow.

Who would have thought that a trip to the eye doctor would open my eyes and see life so clearly and so differently?

What are you going to do this week to make a difference?