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?