Instead of having our annual Christmas party the past two years, our church has chosen to give to those in need. Our neighbors and friends brought books, toys, new and gently used clothes for families who are currently staying at a shelter in Salt Lake City. Our youth spent time reading to the children and helped serve dinners which we happily provided. This year we were able to participate in providing kits for refugees. #gratitude #kindness #OneSmallAct
I live in a retirement community and one of the other residents told me about the first grade daughter of her sitter who was receiving tutoring. I questioned the sitter as to why a first grader would need tutoring. She replied that neither she nor her husband could read very well and they were limited in their ability to help the child with her school work. The school recommended that the child be placed on the prescription drug Ritalin and that she would probably be held back at the end of the year. The mother wanted better for her child. Neither parent earned much money. Life was a struggle, yet they paid a tutor $30 an hour in an effort to avoid drugging their child and having her pushed through the system without actually being educated. I told the mother my credentials and offered to tutor her daughter for free. The child increased from a 20 percentile to a 90 percentile in the state tests. The school dropped its recommendation for drugs and she advanced to the second grade. We have continued our twice weekly sessions and she is an “A” student.
I may be helping that family financially, but the true gift is the gift they give to me, the feeling of being useful and needed and having worth.
Took a young homeless man a winter coat with a toque & gloves. We have a foot of snow here and I’ve seen him a few times with just a hoodie on so I gave him the gift of warmth.
Holding open a door
We placed a card in a strangers letterbox to say we hope you have a great day.
Instead of having our annual Christmas party the past two years, our church has chosen to give to those in need. Our neighbors and friends brought books, toys, new and gently used clothes for families who are currently staying at a shelter in Salt Lake City. Our youth spent time reading to the children and helped serve dinners which we happily provided. This year we were able to participate in providing kits for refugees. #gratitude #kindness #OneSmallAct
I live in a retirement community and one of the other residents told me about the first grade daughter of her sitter who was receiving tutoring. I questioned the sitter as to why a first grader would need tutoring. She replied that neither she nor her husband could read very well and they were limited in their ability to help the child with her school work. The school recommended that the child be placed on the prescription drug Ritalin and that she would probably be held back at the end of the year. The mother wanted better for her child. Neither parent earned much money. Life was a struggle, yet they paid a tutor $30 an hour in an effort to avoid drugging their child and having her pushed through the system without actually being educated. I told the mother my credentials and offered to tutor her daughter for free. The child increased from a 20 percentile to a 90 percentile in the state tests. The school dropped its recommendation for drugs and she advanced to the second grade. We have continued our twice weekly sessions and she is an “A” student.
I may be helping that family financially, but the true gift is the gift they give to me, the feeling of being useful and needed and having worth.
Took a young homeless man a winter coat with a toque & gloves. We have a foot of snow here and I’ve seen him a few times with just a hoodie on so I gave him the gift of warmth.
Holding open a door
We placed a card in a strangers letterbox to say we hope you have a great day.