Annual Cookie Decorating Party – Kids Giving Back

With the holidays upon us it’s really easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of everything going on. From holiday family photos to parties to buying gifts to traveling and more it’s easy to become more focused on ourselves and immediate social group than others who may be less fortunate. Thankfully we have been blessed with good health and financial means so our kids don’t really understand what it means to go without or not be able to have due to certain circumstances – as with many of their friends. So this time of year I always like to host our Annual Cookie Decorating Party where I invite lots of kids to come and decorate cookies, play games, make cards for soldiers or community safety works (firefighters, police, etc) as well as an opportunity for them to bring an item such as a package of t-shirts, socks or underwear to be donated to kids less fortunate.

The whole reason I choose to do clothing items is because there are so many local toy drives and coat drives in so many communities that often times the boring necessities are forgotten. And lets be honest, we all know how good new socks or underwear feel! Plus it also teaches kids to think outside of the normal gift giving realm…and to be thankful for the nice undergarments that they do have!

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We had such a great turnout and I’m so thankful for everyone who came and participated! Such a great group of families!

I wrapped up a large box with wrapping paper and asked that all donations be put in here. By the end of the party our box was overflowing!! We are donating our items to a local ministry called Christian Ministries here in our suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. I have a special place in my heart for Christian Ministry because it is run by volunteers and really makes an amazing impact on our small community. They accept donations of all sorts just as a GoodWill. Volunteers then sort, tag and price each and then place them on their shelves and racks for sale. I honestly have to say it is my most favorite place to shop! Everything is beyond reasonably priced and all of the money goes back to support our community. I take my kids here every year to use their own money to buy Christmas presents for our family. Not only does it teach them to givers it also gives them an opportunity to give back to those less fortunate through financial means – and gives them amazing gifts to give!

Christian Ministries is a nonprofit with an annual budget of just less than $500,000 now serves the neediest of individuals and families in the greater Denver community.

The current annual budget, with funds derived from sales, donations, grants and other sources, is just less than $500,000. More than half that amount is allocated to the crisis ministry, which provides emergency assistance for food, rent, utilities and so on.

Also included is the subsidy for the home-meals program, which provides a hot lunch five days a week, delivered to elderly, shut-in or disabled persons. More than 1,200 meals are delivered every month, with the assistance of 180 volunteer drivers.

Free dental and health clinics, offered periodically, are staffed by volunteer dentists and healthcare workers; the rest of the ministry operation is staffed by a cadre of more than 100 volunteers, with just one paid part-time position. Some of the volunteers have been with the mission since its inception. Others have been there only a short while. In either case, the commitment to the work of the ministry remains strong, though the need for additional volunteers is an ongoing issue.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/community/lake-norman-mooresville/article9230654.html#storylink=cpy

We began by decorating lots and lots of sugar and gingerbread cookies!

Everyone did such  great job creating one of a kind cookies!

I really loved their sweet messages.

Our Annual Cookie Decorating Party was such a success and such a fun way for kids of all ages to hang out and have fun together!

I made these little Giving Bells as a thank you to each of the kids who came.

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If your heart is being led to give back this season (or any other time of the year) there are so many ways for you to get involved:

• search Facebook to see what non-profit organizations are near you
• search your local newspaper for volunteer opportunities
• call your Chamber of Commerce for additional organizations, groups or opportunities
• ask local churches or shelters for ways you can help

Do you have an organization you would like to get more volunteers involved with?

• create a Facebook page for your organization
• contact your local newspaper and ask for them to write a cover story
• put up flyers in coffee shops, local businesses, or YMCAs
• create a non-profit fundraising page