Giving Back in Kansas City
June 17th started out like any other day. I woke up and fed the kids breakfast, but that was the only thing normal about that morning. Rather than play with my kids and work around my house, I was part of a great event sponsored by Libby’s to help our local Habitat for Humanity Chapter in Kansas City.
I wasn’t sure exactly what the day would hold for me. I was excited at the possibility of learning how to do something new but more about helping out local families getting ready to move onto the next phases of their lives – home ownership. Of course, the plan was to work with many other volunteers, but Mother Nature decided to rain on our parade – literally.
That meant flexibility was the word of the day. So rather than work with more than 75 workers and volunteers, I met up with 4 other local area bloggers at two homes which were nearing completion. Our job? Help knock things off of the punch list.
We all jumped in and removed paint, cleaned, hung mirrors, put down trim, hung shelves, cleaned, swept, cleaned, painted – and did I mention cleaned? It wasn’t difficult work, but it certainly was hard work. However, it was “GOOD” hard work. Good because as I walked through the house, I could envision Mom tucking in her three young daughters into bed and Dad enjoying laughter-filled dinner at the table. I saw kids running in to get Mom up on Christmas morning and Dad playing tag with his kids in his backyard. Things that I realized can easily be taken for granted. It made me appreciate the blessings I have been given and how grateful and humbling it is to pay it forward.
In fact, it is important to teach the acts of empathy and giving to children. My husband and I have done this with our three children. We have taught them to be thankful for what they have and to always help others. Each week, when they receive their “commission” (we don’t call it an allowance here), they always take 10% of what they have earned and place it into an envelope called GIVE. They then are required to donate that money; be it to a local charity, to help a family in need or even in the weekly collection basket at church.
You are never too young or too old to help others in need. It doesn’t have to be helping to build a house. It can be a simple task like opening a door, buying a couple of extra cans of Libby’s Green Beans to donate to your food pantry or even participating in a fundraising event. Just do something. Your conscience and heart will thank you.
