Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy's "Kits for Kids"

Oh, you guys, I am so excited about this one!  

Over the years, I have been creating and acquiring items to sell someday.  The thing is, I enjoy all the steps that have gone into this grand project, but I never get around to actually selling them.  Our kids and grandkids have grown up to the point that they wouldn't need or want what I have stocked up, so as far as using them for gifts, the items are not really needed.

Also, in the back of my mind, when a devastating storm as bad as Sandy or Katrina hits, I wonder what happens to the pre-schools and childcare centers.  Being a pre-school teacher at heart, I can't help thinking about the teachers going to inspect their flooded classrooms.  Or the poor bewildered children who's lives have been turned upside down by Mother Nature.
 
 


So, this time, I decided to get going and actually do something to help.  I have created a website and Facebook page called Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy's "Kits for Kids".   I have only really reserved the name so far, so don't head on over to take a look, because there isn't anything to see, yet.

My friend Gloria (the one that likes to see our food pictures when we go out to eat) lives in the hard hit state of Connecticut.  Luckily, Gloria's home did not sustain damage from Hurricane Sandy (thank you Lord for that!)

Yesterday afternoon, though, I got the idea to ask her if I can send my gift stash to her house and if she could distribute the items within her community.  If she says yes, then it will be up to her on how to divide things up.  I worked hard to make a lot of the items, and I don't want them to sit in a box someplace forever.  I like the idea of somebody that I know and trust being in charge of them.

If that turns out to be too overwhelming during this time of upheaval, then I will just divide them up myself into individual "kits".  I have been making bags out of cloth napkins that would work well to put things in.  

That will begin a new chapter of the project.  As I become more organized and get help, I would like to gift each little one with a blanket, some toys and some school supplies.

Can you tell that I am trying to figure things out as I write this post?  Well the important thing is that I have a lot of things to give away to children who may have lost everything, and I feel so happy about it!  One way or another, they will eventually fall into the right hands.

These babies are looking for a home!

I'll let you know how things go with this ongoing project.  Maybe it will give you some ideas on how you can help the storm victims.  

I just don't know how they are going to get all of that mess cleaned up in a timely manner.  Winter is coming on and it is all so terrible.  Some people haven't even been reached yet.

I would love to hear your comments and suggestions on this post, as well as any ideas that you have for helping our brothers and sisters on the East Coast.

Have a wonderful weekend, and please share what you can.

Kathy M.

This picture has been making it's rounds on Facebook, and I love it:

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