"A&M encourages volunteerism, encourages being one of a thousand points of light, helping others... and it comes naturally to Aggies." - Former U.S. President George Bush
I'm always on the lookout for ways that I can get my kids involved in serving others in our community. I want them to see that they can make a difference - regardless of how old they are. It's a bonus when you can bless more than 300 people for less than $20!!!
For the past couple of years, at the end of each semester, we'll head to one of the libraries on campus and hand out bubble gum to students studying for finals. (You can read all about our December project here.) We grab a couple of large containers of Super Bubble at Sam's for less than $8 a box. Proof that it doesn't take a lot of money or time to make someone's day!
The first time we went, I only took the bigs and we had more fun than we ever imagined so the next time and every time since, we've had our friends Dillon and Carly come too. Serving is more fun when you are with friends! We even have a fun little Instagram account - bowsandbrosadventures!
So, what exactly do we do? It's pretty simple. We head to the library during finals week and the kids hand out bubble gum and a little piece of paper explaining what they are doing. They
sadly Dillon had baseball practice this night - we sure missed him!
Why do I love this so much? It's an AMAZING experience for our kiddos! I'm sure you're thinking, "it's two pieces of bubble gum" but these college kids get so excited when they see the kids handing out stuff! They don't know what it is but they eagerly wait till it's their turn. The smiles begin to ripple across the room and I can't help but stand back and smile too!This was Hope's first time to join us! She was a little shy but she wanted to be apart of the fun too!
The slip of paper asks the students to take pictures of themselves blowing bubbles. We do this for a number of reasons. One, it's fun for our kids to get back in the car and scroll through the pics and see some of the people they blessed. It's also a fun little break for the college kids. Here's a few pictures from the other night.
Passing out bubble gum is one small way that we can serve the students in our community. I'm sure there are many more ways that we can all pitch in to put a smile on the face of others.
It doesn't matter what you give - only that you give!
Have a blessed week! Gig 'em and God bless!
Holly
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Much appreciation goes out to Mrs. AOK, A Work in Progress and MrsTeeLoveLifeLaughter for featuring my bubble gum blessings post! Much love, ladies!
I ABSOLUTELY love this! I just had visions of our youth group doing this. Excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteThe kids would have a blast, Kristy! It's a great idea for your youth group! Please share if they do it! I would love to hear all about it!!! Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteCute, cute, cute. Love that idea. That is so creative of you! :)
ReplyDeleteKristin // The Peculiar Treasure
thepeculiartreasureblog.com
Thank you, Kristin! It's SO much fun!!! Already looking forward to the next time! Thanks for stopping by! Have a super week!
DeleteHolly, you never stop amazing me with your generosity. This is a cool idea and I'm sure the students love it! What a small way to make someone smile during a stressful time. What you model to your children will make them such better adults and such memories they will pass on to their children. Well done - your one of God's good and faithful servants.
ReplyDeleteAh, Michelle! Thank you for your sweet words. I can't take any credit. I have great friends with great ideas and then I just take them and run with them. I really hope the kiddos pass this on to their kids. They already talk about when they are in college and wonder if kids will do something like this! :) Hoping and praying I continue to listen to God on ways we can serve. It truly is one of my favorite things to do!
DeleteAww that is such a cute idea. The gesture means so much more than the actual gift. I bet this brought many smiles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
Smiles all around! I get to hang back and just watch and it's so fun! Definitely one of my favorite service projects!!! Already looking forward to next semester! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for hosting! Have a super day!
DeleteLOVE this so much!! My kids adore coming up to campus and hanging out with the Aggies while I work, but I think the Aggies love it even more! Way to go, Momma!
ReplyDeleteYou guys should join us next time!!! Think of how many more people we could make smile!
DeleteYES!! The King kids along for the ride and we could hit TWO floors of kids! Maybe we need to grab ALL the local bloggers and we could get the entire library!
DeleteWouldn't that be awesome?! Imagine how many more Aggies we could bless!!!
DeleteI love this and hate that I was not there to see it first hand. Thanks for organizing and always being willing to include my kids!
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend! And, I can't take any credit - it was your fabulous idea! Next time you and Dillon have to come. It just wasn't the same. I didn't have anyone to hang out with in the stacks! :)
DeleteI love everything about this! Thank you so much! Pinning!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie! It really is a lot of fun. It's a great way to get kiddos involved too!
DeleteI love everything about this! Very inspiring! Coming to you from "Espressos of Faith" via Mom 2 Mom Monday Link-Up! Pinning!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Bonnie! Happy to have you here!
DeleteI read about this on another blog and LOVED it!!! Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarita! It's something that I hope we continue and would even be awesome if we could grow it and bless more students! Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!
DeleteThis is a fun way to involve the kids in making a difference. I'd like to have a gum too please. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's one of our favorite ways to make people smile! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove this sweet tradition of yours! Yall are the best!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend! I've got to remember to feature your sweet Mother's Day traditions next year!!! Those were amazing!
DeleteI absolutely love this idea and am BLOWN AWAY by the awesomeness of it all! I am so mad at myself that I didn't think to do a little something for my Fresno State senior taking her finals this week! I had surgery on Friday and my mind isn't where it normally is right now! Boo :( ....maybe I will send her an email with starbucks attached for studying at the library .....the Fresno State library has an actual starbucks located inside! Have a great week and thanks again for an awesome idea!!
ReplyDeleteI think you get a pass this time since you just had surgery! I hope you are feeling better! But I'm sure your daughter would love to receive a Starbucks gift card! I noticed our library had a coffee shop in it this time. Back in the day we were lucky to find a fully stocked vending machine! :) Thank you for stopping by! You'll have to share if you use the bubble gum idea in the future!
DeleteI will! I did send her an electronic Starbucks card with a cute saying and she LOVED it! Thank you! I am feeling much better! Have a great day!
DeleteThis is so sweet. Holly you are so creative and set such a good example for your children!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie! I appreciate your sweet words. I've learned that I'm not a fly-by-my-seats type of parent. I have to be very intentional in everything I do and teaching our kids to serve is at the top of my list! Hope you have a fantastic day!!!
Deleteplease please please tell me the next time you do this. We want to go too! this is such a fantastic idea. you are precious and raising those babies up so sweet!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, YES!!! I will absolutely let you know the next time we go! We normally do December and May but I may not be able to wait that long knowing we have more people that want to join! We might have to do the end of the summer semesters too! :) And, thank you for your sweet words! You made my day!
DeleteStopping by from R & R Link up.
ReplyDeleteThe simple ideas are often the best!! Great idea. Love the fun and joy it nurtures :)
Thanks for stopping by, Angela! Happy to have you! I agree completely - it's truly the little things!!!
DeleteThat's a great service project! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lindsey! We always have a great time!
DeleteLOVE this! And as a Bubble Gum lover, this would have made my day. What a wonderful and valuable experience for your kids as well. Thanks so much for sharing at the party. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! I never thought this would end up being one of our favorite service projects but we look forward to it every time. I never tire of seeing all those smiling faces! It's the best and such a valuable experience for my kiddos. They don't realize they are making a difference (and that's totally fine) - they just know it's fun and that's exactly what serving others such be. Thank you so much for stopping by and for hosting! Have a super day!
DeleteI love this SO much! Thank you for sharing your heart and teaching your babies to do the same. I believe it's a domino effect :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us at Mommy Monday!
XOXO
You are very welcome! Happy to share! I've been so inspired by others' acts of service! And, yes, I agree - it's absolutely a domino effect! Thanks for hosting - I'll be back this week!
DeleteOh my goodness, I love this! The kids get such a great lesson from activities like this and the smiles on those college kids' faces - priceless!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for linking up at the Thank Goodness It's Thursday party - I can't wait to see what you link up tomorrow!
Thank you, Sarah! They have loads of fun and we've already got a few more friends that want to go with us next time. Super excited because that means we can give out even more bubble gum blessings! Thanks for hosting! I'll see you tomorrow!
DeleteSo great! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny! It's one of our favorite (and most fun!) ways to serve! Thanks for hosting!
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