"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.

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.

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.