24 Days of December

[Dianne Gilbert]

Every day of December, beginning Dec 1 and ending on Dec 24, there will be something for you to do to give back, away or just plain give in the spirit of the holiday (Christmas) season. Take the challenge and if you accomplish one - everyone wins!!!

12/1 Wed Pay it forward Day
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12/2 Thurs Purchase a toy for Toys4Tots and deliver to a dropoff (you can spend as little as $5 for a gift and being a smile to a kids face!)

12/3 Fri Tell someone what you did yesterday and when they say that’s a great idea and they should do it, ask them to fork over the $10 and you will make sure that the toy makes it to delivery

12/4 Sat Ever thought about ringing the Salvation Army Bell? Why not do it? Walk up to a SA worker and tell them you want to help and ask them to ring the bell for 5 minutes – interact with people passing by, asking them to give their pocket change to the poor. (You can find the Salvation Army in front of many grocery stores or malls – take your smile and have fun)

12/5 Sun Clean out your pantry – if you haven’t use in a month or more, place it in a bag and donate it to a food pantry or church – 3 cans make a difference

12/6 Mon Cookies/baked goods to your neighbor/coworker

12/7 Tues Clean out your closet floor and gather shoes that you don’t wear anymore, but that are in good repair – donate them to a shelter or an area ministry that provides such things to those in need. Even one pair will help out!

12/8 Wed Continue cleaning out your closet and find some of your sweaters that you don’t wear often that can help keep someone else warm. Donate them to the same place as yesterday.

12/9 Thurs Grab you a rope of those little candy canes – take them with you today and share one with everyone you encounter who isn’t smiling – watch them smile.

12/10 Fri Make bags to hand out to the homeless at corners– my Sunday School class did this for several years, we included things like individual servings of tuna or Vienna sausages, crackers, cheese spread and we even included new socks and a bottle of water. We would each take 5 bags and pas them out as we set at a red light. I even went as far as introducing myself and allowing them to be a “real” person – if you feel this is too dangerous, then donate food to a homeless shelter

12/11 Sat Gather a coat or coats and donate them - not sure where, check this out… http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WarmCoats/

12/12 Sun Take lunch or dinner to a shutin you know in your neighborhood or is a member of your church

12/13 Mon Cookies/baked goods to your neighbor/coworker

12/14 Tues Gather Teddy Bears from coworkers and donate them to a local Children’s hospital or if you are in Houston, donate them to http://inhouston.ning.com/group/joejoebearfoundation

12/15 Wed Give blood today – if you can’t, then encourage those around you to give – post on Facebook and talk to your loved ones and coworkers – each donation can save up to 3 lives!!!

12/16 Thurs Pay it forward Day

12/17 Fri Organize a “shower” for a needy family – asking family and friends to donate gifts and daily needs for a needy family. Ask them to gift wrap them and label with what they are so that they may be given to the appropriate family members.

12/18 Sat We all know someone who has lost someone this past year – today spend time with them. Support them during their grieving at holiday time.

12/19 Sun Make plans to go caroling, either with a local church or a group of friends – not sure where to go, any nursing home will welcome you in their lobby. All you need is three songs and some smiles!

12/20 Mon Cookies/baked goods to your neighbor/coworker

12/21 Tues Donate toothbrushes and toothpaste to a local school – the principal will be happy to see that a needy child(ren) gets them

12/22 Wed Donate a bag of dog food or cat food to an animal shelter in your area

12/23 Thurs As you are preparing ahead for your big Christmas feast, remember others by inviting them to share in your feast, or making a second casserole to give away

12/24 Fri Pay it forward Day
Merry Christmas!!!!!

[Cammie Cooper]

This is great! :)

[Terry Robertson]

What a wonderful idea! This is exactly what Christmas is all about and something to remember throughout the full year. Lets all go out and conquer Pay it Forward. Happy Holidays!