'Act of Kindness' ~ Save a Life Today

There is Good Will in all of Us

When we hear "Act of Kindness" the 1st thing that comes to mind is Texas restauranteur Raul Jimenez who began a Thanksgiving tradition more than two decades ago by feeding 200 senior citizens in Fort Worth. In 1979, Jimenez moved the dinner to San Antonio and served 5,000 elderly at his own expense. Raul has since passed away but his family continues this annual event. Currently, 25,000 people are fed a traditional Thanksgiving meal each year; senior citizens, the less fortunate or someone who has no where to go. It takes about 4000 volunteers to be successful & is the

Largest Thanksgiving Dinner in the US.

~

Our mom & dad volunteer every year and forgo cooking or attending a Thanksgiving feast of their own. There are so many who go hungry in this world that our mom & dad cannot bring themselves to indulge just knowing that. Therefore, mom & dad commit their time every year to serving others on Thanksgiving Day no matter where we live. Try it one year, it is very rewarding. Here's a picture of some of the food line servers and if you try real hard you can see my mom's hair & eye lashes & nose behind the ladie earring, can you see her? Put your finger at the bottom of the hoop and there are her eyes...

~

Additionally, mom & dad give thanks daily that we are blessed with a roof over all of our heads. So many people do not, so mom & dad encourage everyone they meet to participate in the building of at least one (1) Habitat for Humanity home a year, even if it is only one (1) day of your life; more if you have the time of course. You don't need experience of any kind to contribute and it is the most rewarding experience meeting the grateful family when their house is dedicated.

~

Because my mom & dad are aware of the vast number of people who do not have enough to eat, they contribute both food and their time at our local food bank. If you check in your area, there is certain to be a food bank where you can contribute a few hours of your life to packing banana boxes that will be delivered to families in need. For some families, that could be all they have to feed themselves or family. As long as you can stand and pick up a can of food from the donation boxes and put it in the banana boxes on the conveyor belt, you are doing an incredible service for a family in need. How about committing one day a year to packing a Food Bank box. You will find yourselves full of humbleness.

~

In our area we have what is called A Servants Heart which, has allowed mom & dad to contribute their time in a variety of areas such as: Children with Cancer Camp & Christian Orphanage Christmas events. It is similar to The United Way or Red Cross which, offers a large array of programs and events you can contribute your time to. Mom worked one of the Katrina refugee centers for special needs and has made a few lasting friends that suffered from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

~

One charity that is dear to our moms heart is Locks of Love. It is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. This organization promotes individuals with healthy hair to donate at least 10 " to 12" ponytail to help make a child's wig. Mom just cut off her 5th & last ponytail, 19", because they cannot use gray hair but Pantene requests only 8" and they will accept 5% gray... oops mom likes to call it natural highlights... hehe we don't see them... here's mom before the cut.

If you have some gray think about Pantene Beautiful Lengths cos it was created to bring people together to share their strength and donate their beautiful, healthy hair to create free wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. They will accept natural highlights.

~

There are so many charities that are dear to our pawrents heart and since money is not always something they can contribute, they give their time & their blood as often as they can.

~

"YOU" Have The Power! Did you know 1-pint of blood can save (3) people? 60% of our Nation (U.S.) are eligible but only 5% donate! You can donate every 56-days, six (6) times a year... SAVING EIGHTEEN LIVES Donate Blood today, "YOU" will save a life! The most compassionate and selfless act you can do...

~

Lastly: on one of the coldest days of the year a couple of years ago this lady dropped her husband off for a job interview when their business was not doing well. She drove around the block looking for a place to park that wouldn't cost anything. When she got caught at a stoplight there was a young man crossing the street with nothing but a white t-shirt on with his hands in his jean pockets, the light turned green and she had to pass him as to not hold up traffic. Even though she was almost out of gas she went up to the next possible corner that would allow her to go around the block to try and find that young man. Frantic she drove and turned and drove and turned until she found him again waiting to cross a street. She sped up so she could stop for a moment, she rolled down the window to address this young man, asking him to get in the car so she could buy him a coat and he obliged. With little money and needing gas she drove to a near by Good Will center and they went in. The young man was not looking to take advantage of this act of kindness and let the lady guide him to something warm letting her determine what she could afford. As they left the store the young man put on the fleece jacket and made the comment it was so warm. Fortunately, the parking attendant did not charge for parking so there was money for gas. The young man guided the lady to a gas station (not in a good area) and he went in with the cash the lady gave him and paid for the gas not hesitating to give her back her change. Then he guided her through the city back to the bus stop he was originally headed for and she found out he was headed to fill out a job application too. The lady asked to have a number to contact him so she could keep in touch (really thinking a family she could adopt to help in whatever way she could) but she lost the number scribbled on a tiny piece of paper. It was his friends cell number so that most likely no longer exist but if for some miracle "you" happen to read this and "you" know this was you a few years ago... know she is wishing you many blessings and this is the first time it has ever been mentioned... no one but God ever knew of this chance encounter till now...

~

There is Good Will in all of us ~ find yours