Ways to help...

The disaster in Haiti has really got me thinking lately, and searching. I have been thinking and searching for things I can do. Me, a stay-at-home mom living in Oregon. I am not a doctor, I am not a celebrity, I am not someone big and powerful. I have come across a few things that are simple and I feel are great finds! I encourage you to do any of these you have the time and ability to do and PLEASE let me know of any ideas you have too!

1. www.freerice.com This is the coolest site! There are several different subjects and grade levels and you and your children can "play" the learning game online and for every correct answer you get, Free Rice will donate 10 grains of rice to feeding the hungry around the world. They use the money given by the sponsors whose banners pop up at the bottom of the page with every correct answer. Check out their facts page to learn all about it. I think it is an amazing concept and so easy! The founder said that his wish is that the world to be educated and fed, what an awesome goal!

2. Make pillowcase dresses! You can make these yourself, or organize a group to make several. You can go here http://www.hope4kidsinternational.org/dress-a-girl-around-the-world2 for links on how to make these simple dresses and where to send them so they can be properly distributed. These dresses have gone to girls all over the world, including Uganda and Haiti!

3. Get your own family prepared. I think too often we feel "safe". We see things happen on the news, but feel too far removed from it. The truth is that disaster can strike anywhere, anytime. Earthquakes, tornadoes, even home fires can change our lives forever. Here is a great link to an emergency preparedness plan that I found and we will be working on it as a family these next couple of weeks to update our preparedness. http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/emergencyplanpdf.pdf Good luck and have fun with it, get the whole family involved!

There you go. If you are anything like me, you have been wanting to do something. I hope I have given you some new ideas. My prayers are with each one of you and your families that we all may be safe, healthy and happy. My prayers are for those who are not so lucky and are suffering right now.