You can find previous challenges here - it's never too late to complete a challenge! :)
This week's theme is: serve those who serve. Around us every day are those that "serve" us as their occupation. What are some ways that we can give back to let them know how much we appreciate all they do?
+ Doctors/Nurses - Katy at Queen of the Kings recently posted about donating books to their pediatrician's office. This is a great way to give back to those that help keep our kiddos healthy (and also ties in nicely with last week!). Thanks for the awesome idea, Katy!
+ Police - If you are out and about and run in to a police man/woman, stop and introduce your kiddos to them. Let your kiddos ask them a couple of questions about why they love their job and before you leave, thank him or her for all they do. Little eyes are always watching and seeing their parents thank someone will make them more likely to say thanks in the future.
+ Service Men/Women - Know someone serving our country? Send them a goodie box filled with a few of their favorite things. Or have your kiddos make "thank you" cards and send them to local veterans for their service to our country.
+ Post Office workers/mail delivery person/UPS driver - Have your kiddos draw them a card just to say, "have a great day!". When you are in the business of delivering, I'm sure it's nice to be on the receiving end!
+ Firefighters - Take a snack or meal to your local fire house to say "thank you" for all they do.
+ Waiter/Waitress - Leave a tip more than you normally would or simply write a message to the waiter/waitress and tell them why you thought they were doing a great job.
+ Church Staff - Take snacks up to your church office or write a note telling them how much you appreciate all they do.
It sounds like many of these ideas involve food - and most do. But, many, if not all of these, can be completed simply by saying "thank you". I know how easy it is to get consumed with our family schedules and forget to thank those that serve us every day. It's my hope that our kiddos will start to notice and appreciate others without our prompting.
+ Doctors/Nurses - Katy at Queen of the Kings recently posted about donating books to their pediatrician's office. This is a great way to give back to those that help keep our kiddos healthy (and also ties in nicely with last week!). Thanks for the awesome idea, Katy!
+ Police - If you are out and about and run in to a police man/woman, stop and introduce your kiddos to them. Let your kiddos ask them a couple of questions about why they love their job and before you leave, thank him or her for all they do. Little eyes are always watching and seeing their parents thank someone will make them more likely to say thanks in the future.
+ Service Men/Women - Know someone serving our country? Send them a goodie box filled with a few of their favorite things. Or have your kiddos make "thank you" cards and send them to local veterans for their service to our country.
+ Firefighters - Take a snack or meal to your local fire house to say "thank you" for all they do.
+ Waiter/Waitress - Leave a tip more than you normally would or simply write a message to the waiter/waitress and tell them why you thought they were doing a great job.
+ Church Staff - Take snacks up to your church office or write a note telling them how much you appreciate all they do.
It sounds like many of these ideas involve food - and most do. But, many, if not all of these, can be completed simply by saying "thank you". I know how easy it is to get consumed with our family schedules and forget to thank those that serve us every day. It's my hope that our kiddos will start to notice and appreciate others without our prompting.
We have a few things planned for this week! What about you? Do you know of others who serve who we could bless? If so, share them in the comments section!
Join me on Instagram and tag your pictures with #soschallenge2015. I would love to share what you guys are doing! I love pulling inspiration from projects that others are working on so share, share, share!
I hope you'll join me!
Have a fabulous week! Gig 'em and God bless!
Holly
and come back on Wednesday for the Waiting on...Wednesday link-up - a place where you can link up what you are waiting on, going through, making, anything - as long as it's family-friendly! :)
AND...for the next 9 weeks, you can find a BONUS link-up here for summer family fun posts! There are 30 co-hosts so your post will get maximum exposure!!! Feel free to link up both days!
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
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Much appreciation goes out to Emily from Morning Motivated Mom for featuring week 5 of our Summer of Service challenge! Thank you so much!
I love this week's idea Holly. I did this last week with the church secretary who also helps with our preschool even though it is not part of her job. I dropped off a mini bundt cake for her birthday. It was a surprise because all the teachers/staff are gone for the summer and her birthday is often forgotten because no one is around. Yes, surprised she was and I received a thank you note in the mail expressing how appreciative she was. I think it knocks their socks off when ordinary people go out of their way to say thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat's it, Michelle! Blessings by surprise! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing! You just put the biggest smile on my face! I hope you have a fantastic day!
DeleteAlways one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteMe too! :)
DeleteI love your ideas, Holly! I have been doing this along with you, but I've been very derelict about taking photos (sorry!). Thanks again for encouraging us all to look outside of ourselves and our own little circles.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Wendy! Happy to have you serving with us and thank you for stopping by! I hope you're having a great week!
DeleteAwesome ideas! Love, love, love your heart for others!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth! I can't take any credit - just trying to do what God puts on my heart. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a great day!
DeleteThese are great ideas, Holly!
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome things you are teaching your kids! I'm sure that the public servants and pastors in your town were quite pleased~
Melanie
We are taking breakfast to our neighborhood fire station tomorrow. Should be lots of fun! Thanks for stopping by! I'm so glad you are joining us!
DeleteWe took a page from your book (or blog:)) and went through our playroom last week. We gathered toys, books and shoes to donate. Then we re-gathered them after the kids had pulled them out. They begged me not to throw away their stuff. I tried to explain to them that we were giving them to a little boy or girl who didn't have many things. No dice. They didn't get it. But we tried...and donated!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard...but it does get easier! Now my bigs would rather get rid of stuff versus clean! Still not sure if that's a good thing/bad thing! :) The older they get the more they see and understand that not everyone is as fortunate and that we are suppose to help where we can. Awesome job on teaching them young!
DeleteHolly,
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your summer of service series very much! Thank you for sharing with all of us at Brag About It each week. Very inspiring!
~Laurie
You are so welcome, Laurie! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThese are such amazing and encouraging service ideas! I love it! Definitely pinning this to my Deliberate HOMESCHOOLING board.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Thank you, Jennifer! And, thank you for hosting! I'll be back next week with week 6 of our #soschallenge2015! Hope you have a fabulous 4th of July weekend!
DeleteAw, I love this - service those who serve. My hubs is a fire investigator and my daughter is a nurse. I service them daily ;) Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things and have a happy 4th, Holly!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to ask them if there's anything special that anyone has ever done for them! I'm always looking for new ideas! :) Thank you for hosting! I hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteI have enjoyed following along with your Summer of Service. Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Talk!
ReplyDeleteI will be featuring your post this week. :)
Thank you so much, Emily! I appreciate you featuring my post and helping to spread the word! We can all make a difference!!! Have a super week!
DeletePeople who have jobs that serve the public don't get appreciated or thanked very often. This is a great idea to show them appreciation! Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link party. I really appreciate your participation and hope you'll participate again!
ReplyDeleteNina
Thank you, Nina! Yes, I want them to know how much we appreciate all the things that we sometimes take for granted. Thank you for hosting! I'll see you back next week!
Delete