[Aarcyn]

Not really a lemonade stand but rather the concept of making lemonade out of lemons.

Not really about my own circumstances but how in a small way, people make a difference and make things better.

I read a small article in the local newspaper that the animal shelter only has enough food for one week for their dogs. They were pleading for donations.

DH and I are always love being a part of these projects. A few months ago in the cold weather, donations were being solicited for blankets/warm clothing for a homeless shelter. Back then, I called a few neighbors to see if they wanted to donate. We would drive to the drop off location and pick up a tax form. One neighbor participated.

This time I got the idea to post signs in all the neighboring neighborhoods. People walk their dogs here every morning, take them to the local park, etc.

I offered to be a drop off designation. The animal shelter is about 40 minutes away so a lot of people do not have the time but I would make it easy.

A friend brought her sixth grader and her friend on Wednesday night. A neighbor also came so we had a poster party and made all the signs. The girls made signs for their 'hoods, the moms also are drop off centers.

On Sunday, I will collect their stuff, add it to my stuff and take it to the shelter along with old towels I have saved in the garage for a "someday" trip to a dog shelter.

When we finished the posters for the night, I asked the girls how they felt about themselves for the project. They said they felt good. I answered, "So do I!"

Better than a lemonade stand.

Maybe you can do the same even though there was no article in your local newspaper. We all know the shelters need help, both animal and human. You can be a drop off center for a short time. I started this on Thursday and will deliver the goods on Sunday. The signs will come down.

Or just go to the grocery store and buy a can or two of dog food or a bag. You can even take it to your local vet. I bet one of the people there go to a shelter regularly.

And FYI, I do not own a dog. I do like dogs but I cannot walk a dog, pick up after a dog. I own cats right now.

And a funny side note. On the first day the signs went up we had a LOUD KNOCK on the door. Our mail carrier gave us $25 to go shopping for dog food.

mailman and dog...get it?

p.s. I am not writing this for anyone to tell me I am wonderful. I feel pretty wonderful and you should not feed my swelled ego. I would rather you take the idea and make it your own.

[doydie]

OK, I won't say you are wonderful. But what a lesson for the kids that helped you. The pay it forward concept is something that can go on and on and on. I hope those kids will take that to their own homes, schools, facebook, anything and they can see what one little thing can do.

[kicker]

OK, I did it. After my nap (wasn't there someone with that name? ) I did not allow myself to do anything but prepare an envelope (stamped and with an address found on Internet of place I know), put a donation in it and send it out to a shelter. DONE!!

My motivation, Aarcyn and the vision of my own animals in-need and hungry. Made tears come to my eyes.

[Aarcyn]

Originally Posted by kicker

OK, I did it. After my nap (wasn't there someone with that name? ) I did not allow myself to do anything but prepare an envelope (stamped and with an address found on Internet of place I know), put a donation in it and send it out to a shelter. DONE!!

My motivation, Aarcyn and the vision of my own animals in-need and hungry. Made tears come to my eyes.

ah Kicker!!! I am so happy to took it upon yourself to do that!!!

Yay for you and yay for having a swelled ego and doing something!!!

So far we have about 200 pounds of dry and a bunch of cans. I will do a total in the end, take a picture, tape it on the signs with a THANK YOU so that those who gave can see how a small amount can turn into a dinner or two or three.

Your contribution is counting in a BIG WAY. THANK YOU!!!

[aussiemom]

I'm not a cat person, but! Kitty's need to eat too, and the shelters are full with cats too. There was a local hoarder bust here, 700, yes 700 cats need to be rehomed!

[Aarcyn]

Originally Posted by aussiemom

I'm not a cat person, but! Kitty's need to eat too, and the shelters are full with cats too. There was a local hoarder bust here, 700, yes 700 cats need to be rehomed!

Perfect opportunity for you, aussiemom. Especially with the shelter being overtaxed with animals. Have a poster party, make signs. You will be amazed at how you feel and how your neighbors respond.

We have more than 500 pounds of food to deliver tomorrow. And more...dh and I have to do an official count tonight.

It is a simple thing to help. But if no party, a can of cat food to the shelter is a wonderful thing.

[Dejibo]

we do sorta the same thing here in the fall. Many young children go without hats, scarfs and mittens in this town. either the parents dont have the money, or they dont understand how quickly a kid can get frostbite. The little old ladies of this town have taken on the challenge. Each year they beg for donation of yarn. any color, any size. then they all take turns going to each others houses to have coffee, chat and catch up while they knit mittens, scarfs, and hats for the children of the town. They try to use school colors, but many kids want a personal pink or a nice blue so theirs doesnt look like everyone elses. They make small hats, large hats and ones with and without poms on the top.

Several older women had arthritis and couldnt manage the needles anymore. I took them 5 hoops to knit on. its a circle with knobs on it. I joined the circle a few times and sat with my circle knitter and it got their attention. They all wanted to know how it worked. I showed them all and 3 of them said if they could do that, they could come more often. So, I whipped out 3 from my bag. I found them at a clearance bill at a craft store. The bag was torn, or a ring was missing or the hook needle was gone kinda stuff. Very cheap. It kept 3 from leaving the circle and last year I found out 2 teens joined the group with their grandmas and are using the other two cause its way cooler than using old fashioned needles, dontcha know.

There is a lot we can do if we simply look around in our own community and ask what its needs are. There are boxes near the door of almost every supermarket to give to local food pantries or animal shelters. Just buy one can of dog food and drop it in the bin. Just buy one box of mac and cheese and drop it in the bin. it will make someones day.

its so nice each year to see the kids of the town running around with home made hats and scarfs on.

[Aarcyn]

delivered.

600+ pounds dry dog food
150 cans wet dog food
2 large bags doggie treats
1 black garbage bag old bath towels

We took pictures of the donations. DH is taping a big thank you with the totals so that everyone who dropped off food can see how their contributions made a huge difference.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by Aarcyn

delivered.

600+ pounds dry dog food
150 cans wet dog food
2 large bags doggie treats
1 black garbage bag old bath towels

We took pictures of the donations. DH is taping a big thank you with the totals so that everyone who dropped off food can see how their contributions made a huge difference.

OMG I love this!!! You are wonderful and what great planning to include the girls in poster making and add pictures so people can see the results of their generosity...is there some kind of marketing or psychology background here?

PM me next time you do something like this and I will send a little something to you via pay/pal. You know I'm a sucker for the critters. I had two feral cats neutered a couple of weeks ago in my never ending effort to stabilize the colony at one of the hospitals where I work.

[Aarcyn]

Originally Posted by Jules A

OMG I love this!!! You are wonderful and what great planning to include the girls in poster making and add pictures so people can see the results of their generosity...is there some kind of marketing or psychology background here?

PM me next time you do something like this and I will send a little something to you via pay/pal. You know I'm a sucker for the critters. I had two feral cats neutered a couple of weeks ago in my never ending effort to stabilize the colony at one of the hospitals where I work.

@Jules. We are ALL wonderful and now my head is so swelled I am having problems getting through the door.

The inclusion of the sixth grader and her friend are a credit to her mother. We adults literally kept looking over their shoulders to use their art ideas.

I have never taken any marketing or psych classes. I can't draw a straight line nor do I have much in the way of "follow through." I cannot sew and make a lousy leader.

I am a classic underachiever, the baby of a family who had the poor misfortune to be a youngest child with four uber successful siblings. One of my siblings is a mensa genius, he was able to figure out the concept of multiplying at the tender age of five from getting a slide rule in a box of cracker jacks.

But with all this said, I am a humanitarian by nature and the Jewish philosophy of making the world I live in better because there is nothing else when I die has always created a desire to do good things today, never waiting until tomorrow because

1. tomorrow never comes
2. and there is not guarantee I will see another moment in time. MS has really brought that reality home to roost in that I had planned for a different reality of running a marathon, dancing at my children's weddings.

I stick with what is simple and doable.

Yeesh! Now my head can fit through the doorway again!

re paypal donation. Great idea! Give a small amount to your local shelter. If there is a spot for "in honor of," you can put my name or the name of my son or your name or even your own! That would be awesome!