Category Archives: Volunteering

Apr 22 4 comments
Crafts, Volunteering

Awesome deal: yarn stash updated; Mother Bear Project

After the 9:00 morning service at our Lutheran church, my daughter and I stopped by a store. 

I was running out of the acrylic yarn that I use for the Mother Bear Project, and I needed more…

Crochet aminekos Red Heart yarn

Marigold and Mario (my daughters crochet aminekos) are turning up everywhere aren’t they? Now they’re on the new Red Heart yarn…

We stopped at Michaels first, since I needed eyes to complete the Red Angry Bird I’m making for my five-year old nephew. While there I decided to check out their yarn; sometimes they have great deals. Turns out I came at the right time, since the Red Heart Super Saver yarn was only $1.89.  It’s usually $2.99 at Michael’s. Red Heart yarn is cheaper at Wal-Mart. I grabbed seven skeins, thinking I’d stop by later in the day, and really clean up… in hindsight I should have bought more.

I was thrilled… since this now meant I didn’t have to stop by Wal-Mart just to pick up the yarn, however, when I walked up to the cash register I faced a slight problem…

Red Heat Super Saver yarn

The Red Heart yarn was ringing up at the regular price; $2.99. Wait… what? I told the cashier that it was on sale, She shook her head, “No, it’s not. I mentioned the sign, and so she sent another employee back to check. That employee came back, nope she didn’t see it either, and so I went back and pointed it out to her.

That sign was easy to overlook, whoever had put it there, had tucked it in a spot where it didn’t stand out, and so the one day sale on yarn which should have been removed yesterday, was still there today about twenty minutes after the store opened.

The good news is that Michael’s did honor, the lower price, and with the additional yarn I already had I have enough acrylic yarn; to keep crocheting bears for The Mother Bear Project for quite some time.

Many thanks to the cashiers at Michaels in White Marsh, Maryland, being polite, and honoring the advertised price.

Mother Bear Project Crochet

This lovely girl lives in Namibia, and  seems happy with her crocheted bear.

Why am I choosing acrylic yarn for crocheting amigurumi bears?

The Mother Bear Project sends crocheted and knitted bears to children…

The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear. 

The simple gift of a hand-knit bear with a tag signed by the knitter has touched children with the message that they are unconditionally loved. 

The last thing their caregivers needs to be concerned with is ruining the bear by washing it incorrectly; with some of your delicate fibers this can be an issue. Acrylic fiber is durable, and can be washed at any temperature either by hand or tossed into a washing machine. Perfect!

What I’ve been forgetting to do, is to take pictures of the crocheted bears I’ve already made for this organization, and sharing some of them here at Celebrate Life. Although this isn’t the normal way I volunteer, I do believe this is the perfect chance for some kindhearted crocheters and knitters to help those in need..  

 How can I participate in the Mother Bear Project?

If you crochet or knit, and would like to make bears to send to this wonderful organization, stop by the Mother Bear Project website, learn how you can donate your bears to help children in need.

Phillipians 2: 3-4

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

In my early twenties, I had a hard time giving the things I’d create to people I didn’t know. Those items were my babies, some items (such as the cross-stitched afghans) took a while to create. And so I created only items for friends/loved ones. What changed that? It’s hard to say, but I know that…

One day I thought about the amazing things that strangers have done throughout time; Soldiers fighting for us, and in many instances giving their lives so others they don’t even know might have freedom, civil rights supporters doing the same thing, organ, and blood donors, the list is endless of what some people will do for perfect strangers… and it made my hangups (about making crafted items for those I don’t know) seem a bit selfish. This wasn’t about anyone else, and what they were doing; it’s how I viewed what I wasn’t doing…

Although these children are far away, I’m thrilled that I can help out in some way, and perhaps put a smile on their faces too… Thanks Mother Bear Project!

It’s a chilly Sunday in Maryland; it’s about 45 F.  It’s Spring here, but it doesn’t feel like it. We have a fire going in the wood stove… later today I’ll be curling up next to my daughter and crocheting some bears.

Photo Source: Mother Bear Project

Mar 16 2 comments
Volunteering

Lenten: Serving others; A busy month

My goodness this has been a busy month!

Lenten

Lenten is in full swing at my Lutheran church, and although it’s the first time I’ve been a member of a church that actually recognizes it, I’m enjoying the extra fellowship immensely! Wednesday, the choir that my eight-year old daughter is part of, sang in the evening Lenten service.

Unfortuantely for us, and many of the other children and their families, we left immediately after they sang, Wednesday is also their choir practice, and so we had to rush home, get our children changed, and back to church we went. Many of us left early, because homework still needed to be completed.

John 15:12

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

Serving others: Homeless shelter

This morning I was at one of Maryland’s homeless shelters, making breakfast and fellowshipping with the other breakfast volunteer. It’s the first time I’ve met her, and I really enjoyed learning more about her, swapping stories from our lives, and conjuring up ways we can make the breakfast served at the shelter a bit more interesting. I told the other volunteer,  that I’ve wanted to branch out beyond the standard ‘bacon and eggs’ and so it was nice too learn, that occasionally others from our church have done that. I love to cook, and enjoy making all sorts of dishes, including breakfast cuisine, and so my mind is already set into motion for what I can make for next Thursday’s breakfast. Our church volunteers at the shelter twice monthly.

Food pantry and Global Missions Sunday

Tomorrow my daughter and I will be volunteering at our church’s food pantry. My daughter really enjoys helping with this ministry, and I look forward to interacting with the other volunteers, and those who receive the generous food donations from the kind-hearted people in our church.

I’ll be sure to take photos of the food, but will only take pictures of the people that receive the food — if they’re allow me to take their photos.

Mar 01 1 comments
Volunteering

Lent: Keeping it simple; soup, salad, and bread

Lenten meals

This year, Lenten began on February 22, 2012 and ends on April 7, 2012.

Our Lutheran church is offering two services (morning and evening) to accommodate church members schedules. Before the service a simple meal of soup, salad, and bread were served. The church members provided the food, and the New members class (from February) served it.

The highlight of the dinner, was a delicious potato chowder soup. I was able to get some of it, since a few of us that served the food wisely ate before we served to the church members. That was smart idea on our part, since that soup didn’t last long. The chowder was made by one of the church’s schools lunch ladies.

You know I’m going to be begging her for that recipe! There were numerous other soups served; bean and ham, spicy chicken, crab soup, chicken and noodle, etc., There were a few others that I cannot remember. I was served the potato chowder and the bean and ham.

Silly me, I forgot to take pictures of the meal preparation — along with serving the food, but I’ll rectify that next time.

Service immediately followed the dinner. My daughter read the scripture reading.

II Timothy 3: 16 -17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What is Lenten?

Lenten refers to Lent, the meals served during this time are usually meager. Lenten starts 40 days before prior to Easter. The Lutheran church I’m attending now is the first one that openly recognized this ‘spiritual holiday’ so although acquainted with the practice actively participating in the tradition is new to myself.

I’ve been enjoying researching the lenten tradition, as well as learning even more about Lutherans. Actually, I did a ton of research before joining this church since it was important to me, to find a church that preached a good message, and not something ‘flowery’ to make people feel good.

For myself, researching Christianity has always fascinated me, and so I’m enjoying the time I’ve been spending learning even more about Lutheran history.

Photo Source: Pilgrim Place

Jan 16 7 comments
Volunteering

Homeless shelter: Not green eggs and ham… bacon and eggs

Scott Pilgrim

This morning, when I told a friend that I made bacon and eggs for breakfast they were stunned.

Friend: Veggie bacon and eggs right?

Me: Nope, it was the real deal

Friend: So when did you stop being vegan? You’ve been vegan for like… forever!!!!

Me: Oh I still am!

Friend: Uhm…. ????

Because of their expression of what the heck is she going on about, I let them in on a secret. The bacon and eggs were made for the homeless shelter where I volunteer. No, I wasn’t scarfing it down myself.

Twice monthly, my Lutheran church prepares meals for the guests. Today, we had thirty guests. This homeless shelter is located in the suburbs, and so you”ll the majority of the guests is Caucasian that’s a bit different from I’m used to when I volunteer in the city.

I really enjoy doing volunteer work in homeless shelters. I imagine some might be surprised at how many are like you or me. It is even more common in this present economy.

No show

There was another lady who was supposed to help… unfortunately, she was a no-show. That was uhm… interesting especially since it was my first time at the location. I had no idea where things were located. However an angel appeared in the form of the man that had volunteered to stay over as the overnight helper. He hung back and assisted me when he realized I didn’t have any assistance. How sweet was that?

 

He told me up front he didn’t know how much help he’d be since he wasn’t a cook, I responded that any help he could give was appreciated. He did well, and the time flew by while we prepared a breakfast for 30 guests.

Service with a smile

The meal was served, and we had quite a few that came back for seconds (and in some cases thirds). Several thanked me for the meal, and told me it was excellent. I chatted with several guests while serving the food. I really enjoy chatting with them, and it’s a great feeling to help others when you can.

 

Leftovers from last evenings meal, was already packed in lunch bags, and given to the guests. The guests can’t stay there during the day, but thankfully since they receive a packed lunch they have a meal, and they can come back for dinner. Admittedly, I was a bit concerned at how they got around. It’s not like the homeless shelters I’ve volunteered at in the city, and so if they don’t have transportation, bus routes are sporadic.

This homeless shelter is small. I’ll definitely be coming back there to cook for the guests. Being there today, gave me ideas of other ways I can assist. I’ll be brining vegetables during harvest time, so the guests can receive the fresh produce from my garden. I’m also going to prepare a few treats to accompany the meals.

Asfaw Crown Wrap 1

I’m totally loving this loc wrap! I stumbled upon this beautiful loc wrap (and lady) on the Rebel with a Cause Facebook page. Once I learn a few more crochet stitches, I’ll definitely make something like this.

Since I have long hair, I had to tie my locs back. I figured if they had hairnets, it wouldn’t be large enougn to tuck all my locs into. Last evening, I’d completed a crocheted Loc wrap. Although not as fancy as the one above, I love it! More importantly, it serves its purpose — keeping my locs under wraps. My newly crocheted design turned my already fabulous locs a bit trendy with the added accessory.

Photo Source: AshlyNTess, Rebel with a Cause

Jan 03 13 comments
Crafts, Volunteering

A new year, more volunteering opportunities: Charity; 12 for 12 in 2012

I’m not one to make resolutions for the new year. I have various short and long-term goals; in this case some of my newer goals just happened to coincide with 2012. The reason is simple, my crochet skills have improved to the point where I can now make items for others, and so some of the crochet projects I’ve been itching to become involved with are now a reality.

You might be wondering what 12 for 12 in 2012 is about. Well, as the title states it’s for charity. Many thanks to Kathryn, crochet blogger, the talented author at Crochet Concupiscence for coming up with this fabulous idea.

As some of my readers already know, I already craft for charity; Machine sewn quilts created by my local church quilting group are donated to Lutheran World Relief. I also volunteer at a local homeless shelter,  monthly. I prepare morning breakfast for our guests. They are fed between 5:30 and 7:00 each day.

 

Namibia header

 

The Mother Bear Project

 

Back in December 2011, I talked about The Mother Bear Project. The Mother Bear Project is a fabulous organization that donates hand crocheted and knitted bears to children in other countries. From their site…

The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear. 

The simple gift of a hand-knit bear with a tag signed by the knitter has touched children with the message that they are unconditionally loved.

FADROWSKI and shon

 

 

Helping Kids at Johns Hopkins

I recently discovered this group. The group founder lost her daughter, Gabrielle, in June 2008. I can’t even imagine outliving my daughter. Six times per year, there are various projects that are listed. for January/February the project is a blanket. This upcoming project gives me the perfect excuse to purchase yarn, and take time to create an adorable afghan for some deserving child in the Pediatric intensive Care Unit.

 

Volunteer 1 3 12

Volunteering: How can I help?

The balls in your court, think about ways you can help others. It doesn’t have to be a craft, perhaps you can give your time, donate material, or money to assist a non-profit organization.

Having worked in the non-profit sector, I can tell you that every single bit helps. There are so many places looking for assistance, but not as many people are willing to turn their intentions into actions. If possible, find time to help those in need. If you’re in the United States and are unsure of what opportunities are in your area, check out Volunteer Match. If you are in another country (or like to assist in other countries) check out the Global Volunteer Network.

If you’d like to participate in Kathryrn’s charity crochet project. Write a post about it, and link back to her site.

Photo Source

Nov 29 16 comments
Crafts, Volunteering

Busy fingers and the Mother Bear Project

Yarn

Besides spending time with my daughter… crafts, volunteering, fitness, gardening, and writing are the things I enjoy most.

Earlier this week, I stumbled upon an amazing opportunity, called The Mother Bear Project. I learned about it through a local yarn shop, Lovely Yarns.

The Mother Bear Project is a grass-roots, non-profit group dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of hand-knit and crocheted bears.  To date, 27,300 bears have been sent to South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Namibia and other countries as we find out more about children in need.

What a great cause, right? I did have a slight problem…I haven’t crocheted in years. Last week I told one of the ladies from my quilting group that I wanted to pick up crochet again. She told me to bring my hook and yarn the following Monday.

Naturally I took her up on that offer. Do you think I’m going to pass up on that opportunity? Mrs. G was thorough! I really appreciated that she took her time to teach me some crochet stitches. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to brush up on the basic and the more complicated stitches that she showed me.

Being that it’s been a while since I’ve picked up my hooks, I was repeatedly pulling out my stitches before I finally hit the sweet spot (well at least for the basic stitches I’m doing) and I wasn’t making anymore mistakes. What a great feeling! I won’t be making a bear right away, I want the first bear I make to be really nice, and so the next few months I’ll devote to making a variety of items before I make a bear for the project.

I learned about The Mother Bear Project (indirectly) through Julia, of Aberrant Crochet. Julia makes gorgeous crochet, so be sure to take a peek at her virtual home. Julia was kind enough to reply to my comment in her Mommy Can’t Right Now, She’s Texting. In her comment, Julia was kind enough to share a few sites that would be beneficial to a noob crocheter like myself.

The website, Ravelry, is an online knitting and crocheting community. It’s chock full of information, through my virtual puttering around on that website, I discovered there were quite a few local yarn stores in my area! Who knew? I visited a few of the websites, and that’s how I eventually learned about the Mother Bear Project.

Crocheted Projects

Let’s see… I’ve already made a shocking pink cape for Draculaura, one of my daughter’s Monster High dolls. Currently I’m working on a cute cream colored mini-skirt for Clawdeen — another one of the Monster High dolls.

My daughter is a true fashionista, and so for Christmas (or perhaps a little after) I’m making her a scarf with beads woven in the fiber. It’s safe too say that I’m enjoying my crochet time. ;)

 

Nov 21 13 comments
Crafts, Volunteering

Volunteering: People will judge you by your actions…

Quilters June2011 1

Say hello to the quilting group where I’m the newest member.

The above picture was taken last year. I wasn’t a member then. However, it includes some of the ladies that are part of the quilting group. We meet each Monday for three hours. It’s a great time of fellowship, and it gives me a chance to do something crafty… sewing. I learned how to sew when I was seven.

“We judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our actions.”

Many of us have the best intentions when it comes to serving others, but how many of us follow through? If we don’t watch out, we can easily forget the promises we’ve made.

Since my parents have always been active in helping others (even when the early years when they were poor themselves) I try to make an effort and give back to those who might not be as fortunate as myself.

Helping others, is something I strongly believe in, and it’s something I put into action since I was a child. My parents are great role models. The days when I struggled financially. I still helped others. I look back on my early twenties quite fondly. You should see some of the recipes I came up with then — however I survived.

Quilt Pinning 2 11 21

In todays quilting group, I managed to take a few photos. The majority of our time together is spent working, but we do manage to squeeze in conversation too. Because of the groups friendly nature, it gives everyone a chance to get to know one another — and to form genuine friendships too.

Quilt Pinning 1 11 21

As the newest of this group, there are times when I’m in the spotlight. It’s natural, they want to learn about me and so I’ve been happily weaving in bits of my daughter and my life into the conversation. Because of their friendliness, it didn’t take long for me to feel like one of the group, and so I look forward to my Monday quilting sessions.

Next Monday, one of the ladies is going to help me with my crochet. In the top photo, do you see the tall lady to your right with the sunglasses? Yep, she’s the one that will be helping me. She’s German, and I enjoy chatting with her. She’s told me a few stories of her country.

What’s brought these wonderful ladies together? A common desire to help those less fortunate. I’d say its even more fulfilling, because of the friendships that have been made. They’ve effectively turned their belief, of helping others, into action.

Nov 11 7 comments
Volunteering

Reaching out: The spirit of giving

Peanuts spirit of giving

Throughout my life, I’ve been actively involved with groups that constantly stepped out of their comfort zone, to do things to help others. Assisting at homeless shelters, mentoring for at risk youth in high crime areas,  sharing our garden produce to those in need… things like that. Helping others feels great.

For myself, it seemed the natural thing to do. When it came to giving, my parents have always been great role models. It’s something they’ve always done, and as a child it was how my brother and I were introduced to many of the activities I mentioned above.  So yes, they passed on that spirit of helping others onto us.

I do have a confession to make, for about a year now, I haven’t done too much reaching out. Naturally, I’ve helped at school that’s not going to change, I’m very involved with my daughter’s life. Her teachers have always known that I’m a phone call or email away. That’s one of the perks of working from home. I can usually assist them — if I have advance notice.  However stepping outside my ‘comfort zone’ wasn’t done as much.

I had the typical excuses…

I got wrapped up in several business related projects.  I channelled so of much energy and time into those endeavors, outside of my family, I stopped doing many of the things I enjoyed. Looking back, I  didn’t feel great about it, and discontent crept up in other aspects of my life. At the time I wasn’t sure what was wrong — until  a few months ago when it dawned on me that reaching out was a major part of my enjoyment, and so I started looking on what I could do to change.

The church I’d attended wasn’t as active within the community as I’d like, and so I found myself looking for another church, and I believe I’ve found one. Although it’s s small step, joining the quilting group at this new church is a great move.

I mentioned the group briefly in one of my crafting posts. When I checked out the church website, I was happy to learn that this quilting group is part of the Lutheran World relief which donates their hand crafted quilts to people all over the world.

Lutheran World Relief works to fight poverty and promote a more just and peaceful world by helping people help themselves. Your support provides the foundation for LWR’s work.

Naturally, I clicked on through, once I’d read the information on the church’s site. I never heard of Lutheran World Relief, but their website was very informative. It surely made my heart happy reading the above statement.

As an adult, I’ve mainly gotten involved with various outreach organizations on my own, but it’s surely nice to be part of a church that (that just so happens to be a church that I’m very interested in joining) does outreach on a local and global scale.

You want to know what’s even better? The lady I knew I’d miss most, at the church where I’m a member now is part of the quilting group at the Lutheran church. I didn’t know it until I checked out the picture they had of the quilting group. It looks as though I’ll be the youngest lady in the quilting group, it seems that most are retired, which makes it even better since I’ve always enjoyed interacting with those much older than myself. I’ve learned a lot from them.

What I enjoy about the new church is there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved on the local and global level. I’m sure over the next several months; I’ll be writing about various other outreach programs I have joined.