Why We Make the Mats

This picture was passed to us from a friend and we thought we would pass it on to you so you can see why we want to make these mats.

Simple Idea No. 14 - Luggage for Foster Children

Allow a foster child to have some sense of dignity by donating your used, well conditioned luggage.

How would you feel carrying your most treasured items in a garbage bag? Many foster children have to use them to transport their belongings when moving to yet another foster home. Foster children are moving from home to home all the time. Some can expect to move upwards of 7 or more times throughout their time in foster care.

The only thing that belongs in a garbage bag is garbage.

Being able to carry their belongings in a suitcase may sound like a small deal but to them it can a be a huge boost in their self worth! Any feeling of shame from having to use a garbage bag is nullified using a real piece of luggage.

Some groups take the opportunity to also put other special items in the bags like books, school supplies, stuffed animals and other keepsakes. Diaper bags and the like are accepted as well in many centers.

Contact your local foster agency today and ask what they need! They will be more than happy to receive your donations!

Simple Idea No. 13 - Encouraging Reading

Encougraging your child to read gives them infinite possibilities. It is a great way to learn new information, teaches a new avenue of communication, and expands their imagination to places they never thought possible!

There are many ways to encourage reading. We have included a list of a few ideas here for you.

1. Show your children you enjoy reading. The premise is simple. If your kids do not see you reading and enjoying the benefits they will not pick up the habit either.

2. Read aloud to your children. This will show them that reading is an activity that you both can enjoy. It also may prove encouraging to a child whose skills are lacking and help restore their confidence.

3. Encourage your children to start a collection. Start with something they are interested in. Do they enjoy cars and trucks? There are books aplenty on the subject from the history of automobiles to monsters trucks!

4. Take your children to the library on a regular basis. Explore the children's portion of the library looking for books and magazines related to their interests and hobbies.

As stated previously there are many other ways to encourage reading as well. Even books on the subject! Enjoy that novel!

Simple Idea No. 12 - Donate Your Old Cell Phone

Donating your old cell phones is a great way to help people and the environment. Millions of cell phones end up in landfills across the world every year even after repeated warnings stating that cell phones and rechargeable batteries contain many hazardous materials, such as lead, arsenic, and other toxic waste that are harmful to the our water supply, and our blood stream just to name a few.

There are many different groups that will take your old phones. Cellphonesforsoldiers.ca is one such group that will take the phones and sell them to companies that recycle the phones so they can purchase items such as clothing, laptops, video cameras (which can be used to send messages back home to loved ones).

Cell phones donated to www.charitablerecycling.ca give you the option of which charities or organizations you wish to support with the proceeds of the cell phones and provide free shipping for donations of 50 phones and more. This is where you get your friends and family involved. Whether the phone is functional or not they accept all phones. Functional phones are donated to abused adult's and children's shelters, seniors homes so they can be programmed for 911 emergency use. Other phones are sent overseas to areas where landlines are not available. Non functional phones are disposed of in a way that is safe for the environment.

So dig out those old cell phones from your dresser/junk drawers!

Simple Idea No. 11 - Make Eye Contact

Walking downtown, especially in big cities, you are bound to come across someone down on their luck looking for change or other assistance.

While the onus remains on you whether or not you help them out, you should always at least make eye contact with them and acknowledge they exist. Homeless advocacy groups says studies show that by at least making eye-contact with them it can be a boost to their self-esteem and confidence.

Just remember this, someone living on the street has parents, siblings, and friends just like everyone else. People do not choose to be homeless and as such we all deserve to be treated with dignity.

Simple Idea No. 10 - Be Excellent to Each Other

The very essence of this group.

Simple Idea No. 9 - Write a Letter to the Editor

Have you ever read anything in the newspaper that caught your eye?

Let people know what you feel! You never know what could happen as a result. If you feel one side of an argument is not being fairly displayed a letter to the editor can provide the basis for a well balanced discussion.

A few tips for your letter.

1. Enclose your complete contact information as most papers will call to confirm you wrote the letter.

2. Get to the point. One(at most two) key points is fine. Introduce them within your first two sentences.

3. Two or three paragraphs of short, emphatic sentences are most efficient in getting your point across.

4. Avoid cliches. Ensure the editors feel you can form an original thought.

5. If you are presenting an opposition view, do not attack the original writer personally, attack their point of view with respect. Attacking them directly does nothing more than ensure they stay entrenched in their position.

A simple way to let your opinion known and who knows, you may inspire someone else to write a letter or to take action and make a difference!

Update No. 1 - Breakfast Clubs in Niagara

An item close to our heart is Breakfast Clubs in the Niagara Region. It is so important to ensure that kids are getting the most important meal of the day.

Through Caleb and Joshua's Friends we trying to raise awareness of what is needed at local schools. We look to help provide items needed to help run those programs. We intend to do this through direct donation of smaller items such as food, toasters, microwaves, and griddles, as well as, pooling resources to buy larger items such as fridges, and freezers (online donations received as of February 10, 2008 will go towards breakfast clubs in Niagara unless the donor specifies otherwise). We are contacting local schools to ask their needs with the purpose of fulfilling them.

Through the efforts of a couple of our members we were happy to be able to secure a very generous donation of fridge and freezer for McKay Elementary in Port Colborne allowing them to run their club five days a week. We do not want to stop there. By the end of 2009 we hope to ensure that all schools in Port Colborne have the option of being able to provide breakfast clubs for their students. Beyond that we hope to be able to help out all schools in the region and let it grow from there.

If do not live in the Niagara Region you can still help by contacting your local school to see what they would need to start or continue their breakfast clubs.

Simple Idea No. 8 - Help the Homeless

Most cities have at least one homeless shelter which provides services like meals, beds, counseling, and many other services depending on the needs of the area.

Homeless shelters are almost always looking for volunteers and have a variety of programs through which you can get involved. Serving meals, helping with administration issues, and even just talking with people they serve are very beneficial ways to help.

Not only will you help, you may even learn something. You're not that much different than the people you would be serving and contrary to what a lot of people believe homelessness is not a choice.

Giving homeless people a hand just may be the step they need to get back on their feet.

You can check your local phone book for organizations that would love to hear from potential volunteers.

Simple Idea No. 7 - Get Rid of Your Old Specs

A lot of people can purchase new glasses every couple years or so but would you do that if the price of your glasses cost more than three months wages? This is the case in many African countries.

For many people in developing the difference between in being able to support themselves and their families and living in poverty is their ability to see. Also imagine the joy a parent would get from seeing their child clearly for the first time.

There are many places to donate your old glasses. Many eyeglass stores, churches, and public service groups accept donations of old glasses (both prescription and sunglasses) that are in good condition and then ship them to developing countries, where qualified Optometrists and Ophthalmologists will examine and fit them to the needy.

Help people see a better way!

Simple Idea No. 6 - Be Appreciative

Saying thank you is so easy after someone has done something for you. Sometimes though it can just come across as a reflex with most of us being brought up to say please and thank you.

Show someone you appreciate them for who they are, not just what they can do for you. Writing a little blurb in a card, or telling them what they mean to you goes so much further than a thank you. Now don't get me wrong, a thank you is important, but taking it just one simple step further can mean so much more to the recipient. It can take on even more meaning if it's a surprise. You never need a reason to be appreciative.

It only takes a little effort and it's so simple. Not only will they feel great, you will too when you see the positive response.

Who can you appreciate today?

Simple Idea No. 5 - Make em Laugh

Very little brightens someones day more than a good laugh.

Clip a funny cartoon out of a paper and share it with a coworker or friend who's having "one of those days" or even if they're not. Tell a silly joke. Don't be afraid to act a little silly sometimes. Leave a funny link on a social networking site for all to see and share in the laughter.

Laughter in the face of adversity works wonders for a person's frame of mind. A good laugh can help take someones mind off their worries even just for a moment and let's them unplug from their reality. It's refreshing and by helping someone laugh it shows you care.

So come on, dig out those over sized sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, and clown shoes!

Keep them rolling in the aisles!