Recently I wrote a post about giving back during the holiday season. If you remember I also mentioned that I was going to be putting together some stockings for Champions for Kids newest SIMPLE service project.
This year, with the support from Disney and several corporate partners, we launched our first SIMPLE Service Project, The Champions for Kids Holiday Stocking Stuffer Party. Over 650 people leveraged their influence to touch the lives of over three thousand children in their communities. It was a SIMPLE launch. But people caught the idea—and did this SIMPLE Service Project.
I knew going into this project it was something I wanted to participate in, and that I would be able to deliver a little joy this holiday. I didn’t know I was going to be able to not only give the stockings to the children, but also be a part of their joy. I also didn’t realize how much this project would touch me and bring joy to me and my family as well.
I mentioned in my last post that I would be putting together two stockings. I reached out to a connection and friend at Southern Nevada Military Families and asked if she had any idea who I could deliver my stocking to. She responded back with two names.
W (3.5) is spending Christmas without his father is deployed overseas in Afghanistan.
K(8) is missing her mother this holiday season who is also deployed over in Afghanistan.
I knew I had to do both, and I am glad I did because they both deserved a little bit extra this Christmas to thank them for their sacrifice for our country. I know first hand what it feel like to have my spouse gone during the holidays. I also know how much my Hubs wishes he could spend the holidays with his son. I know that their parents are feeling the same way this holiday season. I hope they know that we are so grateful, and that these stockings bring them a little holiday cheer too knowing their children got a little extra this Christmas.
I had a blast shopping for their stockings. I tend to always overspend during things like this, but I knew that this was a project that was so close to my heart and really wanted to give as much as I could. Plus, I knew my husband was excited about this shop as well. Besides, when it comes to children and charity can you really ever overspend?
I wanted to make sure they both had something to read, color, play with, and eat. Normally, in our family stockings you would also get necessitates like underwear, socks, and a toothbrush, but since these were more for fun, I concentrated on that.
We found bath toys, soap, games, coloring stuff, stickers, body sprays, lip gloss, and so much more. You can see all of my shopping pictures in my Google+ picture album.
I wasn’t expecting to get to see the children open their stockings, but I did. And it was such a blessing for all of us to be involved. Not only did the children love their stockings, but you could tell that their parents were grateful as well. I found so much joy in doing this Champions for Kids SIMPLE service project that I intend to make it a family tradition.
To learn more about Champions for Kids, please go to www.ChampionsforKids.org. You can also follow them on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Champions4Kids as well as on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ChampionsforKids.
Disclosure: This post has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions, and ideas are my own.
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Aw! I love this organization, I just heard abotu it last week and I plan to get involved in 2012!
I really enjoyed this project! Thanks Jenn!
I am in tears reading this post and imagining the children looking through their stockings. Happy holidays!
I love that you did this! So amazing Emily!