Tag Archives: Rack

Light ’em Up – White Bear Lake

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We are getting excited for the Holiday Season in our household. Last year was a very difficult holiday season for our family.  I am excited for the season this year.  I am spinning my wheels trying to figure out how to shift the focus of our Christmas celebration from getting to giving! I have been surfing the net and looking for meaningful Christmas ideas for our family.  We need a new tradition for Advent that will include our adult children as well. 

When Tommy was little we wrapped Christmas books up as gifts and unwrapped and read one each night until Christmas.    I came across a post by Courtney over at Lil Light O’ Mine and another post by Tracie at TSJ Photography about performing Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (RACK) for Advent which I really found inspiring.  I read the posts and I was so excited, this is a tradition that really spoke to my heart and what I wanted to share with my family.   I talked to my family and everyone was excited to participate.   What a wonderful way to teach compassion and generosity to our children.   What better way to teach our children than to live our faith everyday!!  

DO.  SERVE.  LOVE.

 

We decided to join in Lighting Up our community this Christmas with kindness! We will be spending November in preparation, buying our gifts, mailing out Christmas Cards and baking so we can focus on Lighting Up White Bear Lake in December.

My youngest son wanted to help the homeless and the mission we are working with needed the donated items by December 1st so we have already started Lighting up White Bear Lake!!  He is doing a supply drive for Union Gospel Mission in St Paul.   

I hope by posting about our experiences throughout December we will inspire other families to Light Up Their Communities!!   Thank you to Courtney at Lil Light O’ Mine for providing the list of Light ‘Em Up ideas and printables! 

Check back in December to watch our progress as we light up White Bear Lake with Christmas Kindness.

Blessings,

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16

Tommy Helps The Homeless

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How did this all start??  Each member of our family came up with 5 Acts of Kindness to bless our community. We are participating in Light ‘Em Up 2012 – Families Lighting Up The Community with Kindness this holiday season. While we were driving by the Maplewood Mall, Tommy said, “I want to buy clothes for the homeless.” My initial reaction was to tell him no and have him come up with an easier idea. This isn’t about easy, it is about kindness and helping the homeless was on our son’s heart. 

So we called Union Gospel Mission in St Paul and they said he could help with the holiday kits for the men at the mission. 

1.  Tommy wrote a letter to his school mates. (See Below) 

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Hi,

My name is Tommy Coyan.  I am in the 5th grade at Magnuson Christian School.

Our family is trying to do Random Acts of Christmas Kindness to count down to Christmas Day.

The Random Act of Christmas Kindness I chose is helping the homeless.  I wanted to do this because it seems like the right thing to do.

I want to collect items for the homeless at Union Gospel Mission.The homeless then will get a kit with all the stuff they need.

In the month of November I will be collecting donations.  I have a box in the hallway for donations for Union Gospel Mission.

 

What to Donate?

Razors

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Bar soap

Dental floss

Winter hat

Winter socks

Comb

T-shirt

Chap stick

Nail clipper

Winter gloves

 

Shaving cream

Deodorant

White socks

Candies – Individually Wrapped

Thank You for your Help!

Tommy Coyan

 

Note from Tommy’s Parents:

When our son said he wanted to help the homeless, my first thought was this is too big!  But after talking to the wonderful folks atUnion Gospel Mission, we realized our son could help and make a difference to the individuals he wanted to help.

Union Gospel Mission is a Christian ministry dedicated to serving the homeless, poor, and addicted in our community. By meeting physical, spiritual, emotional, and educational needs, their Mission is changing lives!

Thank you for helping our son to learn that even a young boy can make a difference in the world.

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2.  Tommy makes the donation box for school.

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3.  Tommy works on his poster!

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4.  Tommy sets up his donation drop box at school for Union Gospel Mission.

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This has been a wonderful project for me to witness. Tommy has the kindest heart, which is evident through this project.  That little guy sure blesses my heart in so many way!

 

Would you like to help, Tommy???

Family and Friends have asked us how can they help Tommy.    If you are family or friends from out of town you can mail him a monetary donation and he will shop for items for Union Gospel Mission!!

If you are local friends and family, you can drop something off at our house!!   He will be taking donations until after Thanksgiving.   We need to take the collected items to Union Gospel Mission by December 1st. 

 

Blessings,