"If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things. The powers-that-be can break up any big thing they want. They can corrupt it or co-opt it from the inside, or they can attack it from the outside. But what are they going to do about 10 million little things? They break up two of them, and three more like them spring up!"
- Pete Seeger, in YES! Magazine

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Roadside Assistance

Today we headed home after a little over a week in Southern California. Traffic was horrendous, but the road was just the ticket for today's simple charitable deed.

The project:
Lend a hand to another traveling family.
While traveling north along the busy freeway I spotted a family wagon in a large pullout alongside the freeway. Two adults stood outside staring at a surfboard laying next to the car. I pulled over to offer a hand or use of the cell phone.

Turns out it was JUST as it had appeared. The couple, traveling freeway speeds, lost their surfboard off the roof of their car. They had looped around to pick it up, but were wondering how to better attach it to the rack. Apparently, the original bungee cord job didn't work out so well.

I had some extra rope in the back of the van (the trunk box) which I gladly handed over and we were on our way.

Time:
5 minutes

Why bother?
I never like to see a disabled vehicle alongside the road. Always feel bad for those folks. I REALLY don't like to see families there. Very unsafe. So if I can safely lend a hand and get someone rollin' again, wonderful.

Worth it?
Yep. They were friendly people who saw the error of their ways and looked to provide a better solution. And they were thankful for my bit of (non-elastic) rope.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Project Linus

We were still on the road today, but I've been researching some potential projects in which to take part when we return home. A friend suggested this one. We've been ushered into the program and look forward to getting started next week.

The project:
Project Linus provides blankets to children in times of trauma and stress. I found the local chapter, contacted the area leader and have been accepted to serve as a "Blanketeer."

Time:
20 minutes so far - research and communications

Why bother?
The girls like to sew, and I've made a couple of quilts and really had a good time. We have allowed our sewing efforts to be thwarted by the mere fact that we don't have an outlet for the things we make. We don't know many people who can use another blanket or quilt. Project Linus knows a LOT!

Worth it?
I hope so. We'll let you know how this project progresses.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Moral Support

It looked like Baby & Toddler Day at L.A. Zoo today. Strollers and mommies, grannies and grampies and babies everywhere. While wandering the zoo with our girls and a granny of our own, I saw a young woman breastfeeding in a corner, clearly a bit uncomfortable and trying to keep the baby hidden.

The project:
Help a breastfeeding mom feel good about the great, natural care she was providing her baby.

Time:
60 seconds

Why bother?
We're mammals. That means we are among those animals that wander Earth with mammary glands, those meant to provide our young with their earliest nourishment. In these days of heavily marketed alternative food choices it can be tough for a new mom to decide whether to go with the flow, the norm, the crowd or use the natural food her body can usually provide. Then there's the whole shame associated with public breastfeeding, while private feeding areas are, most often, not provided. But a baby's got to eat when a baby's hungry, wherever that may be.

Worth it?
If my comments supporting her choice to breastfeed keep her at it a little longer, if they help her feel more secure in her decision, if they cause her to become supportive of another mother's choice, then these few seconds were absolutely well spent.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Simple Kindness at the Grocery Store

We spent most of today resting at the house, playing games, reading and lounging. Still, a trip to the grocery store lent plenty of fodder for acting charitably.

The project:
Grocery store kindnesses: handing my cart to someone else before getting my own, allowing someone with only two items go ahead of my lightly-laden cart, using my own bags

Time:
Minutes

Why bother?
These are simple ways to spread goodwill.

Worth it?
Absolutely. It's amazing what a simple smile or lending a tiny bit of help can do for someone's day.

In other news: January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Since 1994, the nation has recognized this day as a day of contributing to the community. This year, come up with your own service project, organize friends or a club, or check out USAService.org for events already scheduled in your area.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

"Every Little Bit Helps"

How many times have you committed time or money or goods to someone or some charity only to come away feeling, well, like your contribution was somehow insignificant? Like your deed, your donation, has gone unrecognized? Was perhaps even unwelcome?

If you haven't felt this yet, try giving a little to a REALLY large organization.

Go ahead.

Don't be put off if it looks like your bundle of goodies is no more than a dust bunny for the corner shelf of a giant warehouse. Don't do it for recognition or thanks. Do it because, as we were told today by perhaps one of the largest food banks in the country, "Every little bit helps!"


The project:
Donate the box of foodstuffs collected from Mom's pantry during the cleaning project.
(While we were there, we also helped a volunteer put an entire pallet of food into a tiny Toyota so it could be delivered to a neighborhood kitchen. A very entertaining volunteer effort, and he was ever so grateful for the unexpected help.)

Time:
15 minutes (including the car stuffing)

Why bother?
Sharing Mom's plentiful pantry with people who could use a little help.

Worth it?
I confess I was pretty intimidated when V and I peeked inside the warehouse at the Los Angeles Food Bank. The place is ENORMOUS! And there were caseloads of food being loaded into various vehicles for delivery all over the Los Angeles Basin. Add to that the 18-wheeler that pulled up to make a delivery. I realized our box wouldn't provide nearly as much help as the local pantries and kitchens could use.

I suppose it was a good thing, then, when Mom voiced her thoughts on our relatively insignificant contribution to a warehouse volunteer who quickly put us back on line. "Oh, don't feel that way! Every little bit helps!"

The things we brought will be stacked with other people's donations, and eventually build a case, then a pallet, delivered as needed. Our contribution WILL help folks in need. Especially if you add another box...and you...and you.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Temporary Adoption

Today we visited the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Our girls were among 143 homeschooling children from throughout Southern California who converged upon the Annenberg Building for hands-on lessons in electricity. Homeschool families run the gamut from singles with only children to couples with multiple children. No matter how the family's described, every parent needs a hand now and again. Today, we were that helping hand.

The project:
Temporarily adopt one of the older of five children so she could take part in hands-on activities and an IMAX film while her mom watched over the younger children who were not quite ready for either.

Time:
2 hours

Why bother?
Every parent needs a hand now and then. Watching well behaved Maisie, who had adopted E & V early on, was an easy way take a bit of the load off her mom, who was busily carrying and tending to an infant, two of Maisie's younger siblings, and her older brother.

Worth it?
The girls made fast friends with this well-behaved little girl. The mom was mightily pleased, and she I swapped e-mail addresses. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up closer to home in the near future.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Everyday Parenting Deeds

I do believe most people perform charitable deeds as part of their daily routine. Perhaps we too often overlook these. Then again, are they charitable deeds if they're expected of us? If a doctor saves a life, is that simply her job? Today I didn't manage to do anything super special. Nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, all the deeds I can recall have to do with mothering - holding open doors for my children, helping them dress (then dress again and again at a children's museum), spending time with my children and, at times, giving them my full attention.

The project:
Being an attentive parent.

Time:
Most of the day.

Why bother?
We have always said we wanted to raise our own children. We like to believe that children need special attention in their early years. (Plus, it's fun to be with our kids, most of the time.)

Worth it?
Absolutely.