This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPS. All opinions are 100% mine.
Wherever you live, you can find people who are less fortunate than you. A tangible way you and your kids can help is through making DIY Blessing Bags for the Homeless!
As the weather grows cold here in the Midwest, my heart breaks for the many homeless in our cities. This holiday season, UPS is celebrating organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities around the United states! Many people this holiday are just “wishing” for the basics – a warm place to stay, shoes on their feet, a meal in their belly. I’d like to tell you about a couple I know who is making a difference in their city through Blessing Bags, and how you can share your #WishesDelivered Story too!
My brother Andy, and his wife Christiana have inspired me and many in their communities to carry “Blessing Bags” in their cars as a way to deliver tangible gifts to the homeless in their cities. Kids are great helpers with this, and I love doing it around the holidays when their “wishes” tend to be more self-focused. By bringing them shopping and having them help put together these bags, it opens a discussion about what others need and how much we already have, compared to people in our community.
It’s a simple project! Just head to the store and gather small items that people may need. I normally get:
1. Toiletries, travel sizes so they fit in a gallon ziplock bag;
2. Gloves, socks, and hats – my sister makes these knitted headbands that we give to women we see;
3. Medicines, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, washcloths;
4. Small non-perishable snacks – granola bars, fruit snacks, etc;
5. and an envelope with an encouraging note, some cash, or other coupons or gift cards.
Divide out what you buy into different gallon ziplock bags, then find a safe place in your car to store a couple bags at a time, that are within reach. That way, if you see someone on the side of the road, you can easily roll down your window and hand it to them. It’s such an easy thing to do for you, but with such big impact.
My wish this holiday is that we would all do
one small thing to help someone in need.
UPS wants you to share your stories about someone who should be celebrated for their commitment to solving problems in the community. By sharing your story or posting your wish for good this holiday, you can join the UPS campaign – just use the hashtag #WishesDelivered! Your wish could automatically be a part of the UPS #WishesDelivered site by simply posting the wish on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #WishesDelivered, or going directly to the #WishesDelivered Site and submitting there.
Check out this amazing video about how UPS is helping Mr. Brown and his dream of bringing books to children in Africa:
Remember, wishes should be for someone else, or the greater good – make it meaningful, and encourage your kids to join in. The best part about this campaign is that for every #WishesDelivered story or wish shared, UPS will make a $1 donation to one of their charity partners (Boys & Girls Club of America, World Food Programme, Toys for Tots Literacy Program, The Salvation Army, The UN Refugee Agency), up to $150K total donation!
So join us by sharing your story, or wish this holiday . . . hashtag with #WishesDelivered and enjoy being a small part of making a difference in the world. What’s your wish?
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