Random Acts Of Kindness, We can make a difference!

[AlleyKat]

"It’s important that I make a difference in some way. If it’s performing and

touching someone that way that’s great. If it’s being a teacher and helping

some kid understand something that’s even better.



It’s not necessarily how I make a difference but I want to make

sure that I do." - Clay Aiken





Clay's words speak volumes. Not only do they reflect the type of person Clay

is, but they also open up doors in ways we can't even imagine.



We all know about BAF and the great work that is being done to promote

inclusion for kids with disabilities. But Clay's words do not stop at BAF; his

words also extend to what we can do on a daily basis within our own

communities.



RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS is just one way to start. Many times

the smallest kind act can lead to larger, positive actions. If you check out the

Internet there are many websites devoted to random acts of kindness (RAK).

There is even an official organization which can be found here:


Random Acts of Kindness.



It's amazing how many ideas they offer, large and small. Please take some

time to check it out.



Some ideas are so simple and easy and yet they can really make a difference

in someone's day. Here are just a few from the RAK website:

• Bring flowers to work and share them with co-workers.
  
  
  
• Transport someone who can't drive.
  
  
  
• Pay a compliment at least once a day.
  
  
  
• Write a note to a mentor or someone who has influenced your life in a
  positive way.

There are many ways we can be involved within our communities. Some great

ideas are:

• Plant a Kindness Tree or Garden with the help of youth groups, service clubs, or other volunteers.
  
  
  
• Hold a children's kindness drawing or coloring campaign.
  
  
  
• Prepare treats for emergency workers along with a note of thanks for all they do.
  
  
  
• Deliver Baskets of Kindness to shut-ins. Include items such as stationery, stamps, a deck of playing cards, a magazine, fresh flowers, a book, mug, cookies or other treat.
  
  
  
• Go Christmas caroling at a nursing home.

The possibilities are endless!



If you are involved in your community, please let us know. If you have ideas

or suggestions on what we can do to help make a difference, we would love

to hear about it!



Through Clay's actions and words we want to be and have become more

involved. What a great way to honor Clay for everything he has brought into

our lives!

[AlleyKat]

Help celebrate World Kindness Week, November 8 - 14
and World Kindness Day on November 13.

[AlleyKat]

If there was a holiday in your honor (i.e. Clay Aiken Day), what would it celebrate?


Clay’s Response — Volunteerism

[lvkacey]

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-541605.html

Woman, 74, needs new clothes


The Herald-Sun
Nov 7, 2004 : 8:36 pm ET

She may be petite in stature, but this 74-year-old woman is described as having a large smile. She enjoys attending church, playing bingo and being pampered. An acquaintance says, "when you are greeted by her, it's like being greeted by a loving teddy bear." She is very appreciative of the smallest gifts in life and would be very happy to have some new clothes.

This is Case 19 in the 2004 Share Your Christmas program. More than 3,000 families and individuals in our community need help this holiday season. To help this family or any of the other cases, call (919) 680-0140 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 15.

Share Your Christmas also provides gifts for about 200 foster children through the Foster Children's Tree. The tree will be set up near Walden Books at Northgate Mall and will be staffed during normal mall hours. To provide a gift for a foster child, select an ornament from the tree and buy one of the gifts listed on the ornament. Return the gift to the tree.
If you prefer to help with a cash donation, contributions can be made to the Share Your Christmas General Fund, 136 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701, or to the Foster Children's Tree, P.O. Box 1763, Durham, NC 27702.
All contributions go directly to the people who need your help. The sponsors of Share Your Christmas -- the Volunteer Center of Greater Durham, the Durham County Department of Social Services, the Foster Parent Association and The Herald-Sun -- donate the administrative costs of the program.

Here are more cases that need help:
Case 20: This 69-year-old man has loads of character and enjoys socializing. He likes to play bingo and spend time outdoors. To stay warm during the winter, he would enjoy a new sweater, socks and jeans.

Case 21: He may be 81 years old, but this active man lives independently and enjoys going to the senior center. He loves to watch wrestling on television and also enjoys going to church and shopping. Sweatpants and shirts are on his wish list this holiday season.

Case 26: Sports are a big part of this 55-year-old man's life. He likes to watch wrestling and his favorite sports team is the Carolina Panthers. He would love to have some Panthers items for Christmas.

Case 34: Despite being legally blind, this 46-year-old woman continues to tackle her daily struggles and challenges with a smile and has encouraging words for everyone she meets. She has to go to dialysis three times a week and would appreciate knowing someone in the community cares for her. She is hoping for gifts of jeans and T-shirts.

Case 37: A wheelchair doesn't slow down this 49-year-old woman who is legally blind and has some emotional problems. Gifts of bedroom clothes and slippers would make the season especially bright for her.

Case 43: Clay Aiken has a fan in this 80-year-old woman who is legally blind. She would get a big lift from a cassette of Clay's Christmas music and some new pants.

Case 46: A juice machine and a new dress would mean a lot to this 55-year-old woman who lives alone and has a number of health problems. Even though she's legally blind she meets the challenges in her life with a smile and would appreciate your help this holiday season.

_______________________________________________________________


http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041108/phm045_1.html

Children in Need Are the Focus of McDonald's® World Children's Day Celebrations
Monday November 8, 12:23 pm ET
Local Owner/Operators and McDonald's Corporation Support the Fundraiser with Children's Art Contest and Olympic Athletes as Celebrity Crew Members


PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning tomorrow, November 9, 2004, participating McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region will join thousands of McDonald's restaurants in more than 100 countries worldwide to kick off the 2004 World Children's Day Celebration, a global fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and children around the world.
From November 9-20, customers can "Give A Hand" by purchasing and personalizing paper cutout hands for $1, then posting the hands in participating McDonald's Restaurants in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Kent and New Castle Counties in Delaware. Participating restaurants will also make donations from select menu items to help children. From November 18-20, a portion of sales from Happy Meals®, Mighty Kids Meals® and Extra Value Meals® will be donated to RMHC and vital children's causes.

"We are proud to be a part of the third annual World Children's Day," said Mike Anton, President of RMHC of the Greater Philadelphia Region, Inc. "Each year the fundraiser continues to gain momentum and enables RMHC to have an even greater impact on the health and well being of children around the world."

World Children's Day 2002 raised $12 million. In 2003, the effort raised $15 million. This year, McDonald's goal is to raise $20 million.

To launch the 2004 World Children's Day fundraising activities, music artist and actress sisters Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff, tennis champions Venus Williams and Serena Williams, multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken, Latin Grammy winner Alejandro Fernandez, Olympic track and field legend Carl Lewis, and famed American Idol judge Randy Jackson, will literally "Give A Hand" by creating and donating autographed handprints. The handprints will be auctioned on eBay (http://www.ebay.com) from November 10-20, with proceeds benefiting RMHC. Handprints from Brooke Shields, Lara Flynn Boyle, Blair Underwood, Andy Dick, Peter Boyle, Nick Carter and Kwame Jackson, among others, will also be available for bid.

[ohsusanna]

The new forums (total credit goes to AK) have left me very introspective tonight. I would like to share with you one of my favorite stories, quoted directly from CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL:

ONE AT A TIME:

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water. Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing."

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."

"I understand," my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

~~Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen

Like many of you, I am not in a position to make a significant difference financially, but if we each do that one small thing each day that can help another...donate a few dollars, some clothes, our time...then those "small" things will add up to a BIG THING. It may never be acknowledged or recognized by anyone in this world, but someone special will know. I'm sure of that.

ohsu

[biera8507]

I thought this was a great idea! I'm trying to start it in my day care classroom because many of the children have issues with being generally nice to each other. this website is helping me! Yea!

[tigerpat]

Well, I don't know if this is a random act of kindness or not, but every time I go to Wal-Mart I buy a copy or two of SWAY just 'cause I'm crazy about you-know-who and want to keep his sales up there.

Anyway, whenever I'm talking with anyone in my small tourist town and the name of Clay Aiken comes up I ask if they have a copy of his music. (I'm referring to the baggers in the grocery store, the receptionist in the dentist office, the vet's office, brief acquaintences, etc.)

If not, the next time I see this person I give them a copy of SWAY. Invariably, the next time I see them after that, they tell me how much they enjoy Clay's music and almost always tell me that someone else that they know was touched by it as well.

It's a small thing, but it makes me happy, makes them happy, and hopefully makes Clay happy in that his sales are increased and others are 'Clayverted' to him!

[AlleyKat]

BIERA - It's never too soon to start teaching kids about how to treat each other. They will learn how good it feels to be treated nicely and in turn, will treat each other with respect. Good job and I'm glad that the Cafe is helping you!

TIGERPAT - What a great idea! I imagine the people who receive your gift of SWAY are very touched. Not to mention the number of Clayversions you are responsible for.

Another RAK thought - I was having this discussion with one of our Cupcakes. Have you ever heard of "paying it forward"? Sometimes people do nice things for us and many times they don't expect you to return the favor. But you can "pay it forward" and do something nice for someone else. It could be monetary or something as simple as babysitting for a friend in need, taking someone shopping who doesn't have a car ... actions that come from your heart.

So glad you are sharing ideas with us. We would love to hear more so please feel free to tell us what you are doing or offer thoughts on what we can do.

Thanks everyone!

[lvkacey]

Link to Clayboard thread if anyone wants to donate a MCWL CD to be shipped to our troops.

http://p213.ezboard.com/ftheclayboardfrm11...cID=51850.topic

-----------------------------------------------------------------

this link to Clayboard is for Operation Christmas spirit
We will be providing Christmas CD’s to the following Foundations:

Toys for Tots
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Starlight Foundation
USO


http://p213.ezboard.com/ftheclayboardfrm11...cID=51369.topic

[AlleyKat]

"Clay announced he has been appointed UNICEF Ambassador of Education. Always doing something to help. Clay said he wants his tombstone to read that he made a difference. He said all his work would be in vain if he does not touch one person in the world. Not for self imposed reasons but to help anyone in any way. In Education, in life or whatever he can do "I want to be known for making a difference, no matter how big or small. I was put on this earth for a reason".

[lvkacey]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/200...g/25253615.html

Thursday, November 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

OFFERING SUPPORT: Gifts That Keep Giving

Purchasing presents from nonprofit organizations helps groups -- and it's easy
By JOHN PRZYBYS

In the market for some unique holiday gifts?

Some custom-made greeting cards, perhaps? A homemade fruitcake, maybe? Or, even, a Christmas wreath made of real fruit and greenery?

Not only are such one-of-a-kind gifts easily available, but -- in the best spirit of holiday giving -- buying one can help support a worthy convent, monastery or nonprofit organization.

And, best of all for harried holiday shoppers, most of them are just a mouse click or phone call away.

The holiday season is a prime sales time for nonprofit organizations that sell homemade goods, notes Will Keller, owner and founder of Monastery Greetings, a catalog and Internet firm that offers products made at more than 40 monasteries, convents and religious communities.

Some purchasers of charity-made products are motivated primarily by the thought of supporting a worthy cause. According to Keller, sales of fruitcakes, fudge and other items sometimes are "the only source of revenue" a religious community has.

Other buyers, Keller continues, simply "know that these are some of the best preserves or fruitcakes or food items you can find."

"These food gifts are incredibly high-quality, because they really care about what they make," he says. "This is the expression of their community."

Since 1923, Boys Republic of Chino Hills, Calif., has been selling Della Robbia Christmas wreaths -- which feature live fruits, flowers and greenery -- as a means of raising funds for its programs for disadvantaged youth.

The wreaths, assembled by the children the organization serves, sell for $41.95 for a 20-inch wreath and $62.95 for a 28-inch wreath.

"I think it's pretty clear to us that people could go out and buy a cheaper wreath at their local department store," concedes Jerry Marcotte, Boys Republic development director. "But all the people who stay with us year after year are, I think, doing so because they know they're helping the kids."

In fact, selling holiday-themed gift items even can help to turn first-time gift buyers into year-around donors.

"Most of the people who order year after year become very attached to us, and many of them give to us direct financial contributions," Marcotte says, and the Christmas wreaths are "probably our major way of educating the public about what we do."

In the same vein, many Southern Nevadans probably have learned about St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City either by receiving a greeting card made by children at the ranch or by donating to its greeting card recycling effort.

Becki Powell, St. Jude's vice president of marketing, says children at the ranch cut off the front panels of used, donated greeting cards and attach them to new card stock. The new, recycled greeting cards then are sold to raise funds.

The cards can be purchased at the St. Jude's gift shop and on the organization's Web site (http://www.stjudesranch.org). According to Powell, 3,745 packages of cards -- were sold last year.

The cards cost $8 for a box of 10 cards, she adds, "and we make cards for all holidays. We make thank-you cards, note cards, birthday cards, everything."

Another longtime Southern Nevada charity, Opportunity Village, raises money each Yuletide season through its Magical Forest event. This year, the attraction runs from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30.

Opportunity Village -- which provides vocational training and employment to persons with disabilities -- also raises money during the holiday season by assembling gift baskets for corporate clients.

However, the public also can help out Opportunity Village by purchasing holiday ornaments made by its clients, says Linda Smith, the organization's chief development officer.

"They're little ornaments you have on a tree or (use as) a doorknob hanger," Smith says. "It says right on it: Handcrafted at Opportunity Village."

The ornaments sell for "pennies up to a couple of dollars" at the Magical Forest gift shop, Smith says. "We also make bookmarks that basically tell the story about Opportunity Village. Those are sort of stocking stuffer-type gifts."

At Boys Republic, Della Robbia wreaths are crafted from California redwood or noble fir boughs, apples, lemons, pine cones, decorative seed pods and other fresh materials, which, Marcotte says, are gathered cleaned and dried over the course of the year by those served by the program.

Then, after Thanksgiving, the youths join community members to assemble the wreaths, producing about 4,000 of them a day, Marcotte says.

"It's kind of exciting for the kids because it's a work experience for them," he continues. "A lot of them come from backgrounds where there wasn't a strong work ethic."

Between 45,000 and 50,000 wreaths are shipped out each holiday season, he says, and wreath sales last year generated about $2 million of the agency's $15 million annual budget.

Orders still are being taken for this year's wreaths, Marcotte adds, although "after about Dec. 5, it begins to get hard to fill orders."

More information and ordering information can be found on the agency's Web site (http://www.boysrepublic.org) or by calling (800) 833-7769.

Keller says the most popular holiday item among purchasers from Monastery Greetings is the traditional fruitcake. Fruitcakes from four different religious communities are available, including a "Southern-style fruitcake" made at the Abbey of Our Lady of Holy Spirit Monastery in Georgia.

"I think people really go for the more traditional things during the holiday," Keller says. "Like, the fudge is enormously popular."

The Monastery Greetings catalog features fudge and candy made by Brigittine monks of the Priory of Our Lady of Consolation in Oregon and at Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Massachusetts.

Other food items available through the catalog include: "Pray-Lines" made at St. Benedict Monastery in Texas; vinegars, flavored oils, fruit and apple butters and hot sauces made St. Gregory's Friary in upstate New York; and "Trappist Preserves" from St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts.

Among the nonfood products offered are: A lavender pillow insert from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico; goat's milk soap made at Hermitage of the Holy Cross in West Virginia; and a set of "matryoshka" or Christmas nesting dolls, from St. Sergius Monastery in Russia.

Keller adds that, because just about all of the products are made in the religious communities, "I have probably more products made in the United States than nearly every catalog out there."

The Monastery Greetings catalog can be obtained by calling (800) 472-0425 or items can be purchased through the company's Web site (http://www.monastery

greetings.com).

However, anyone who's considering sending a gift from a nonprofit organization this Christmas shouldn't wait too long.

According to Keller, many such groups produce only a limited supply of items for sale each season. And, when the item is sold out, no more are made until next year.

[Clay's Tutu Betty Jean]

We are on the receiving end of random acts of kindness - Our dear friend and neighbor when we lived in Calif. gave us the most loving gift we could receive.

Her name is Ruth and her husband Clarence died a few months ago of a terrible type of cancer. She had accumulated thousands of points on United Airline charge card from buying medicine, etc. and told me she couldn't possibly use them all. At first she wanted me to come to Calif. when Gord was in the nursing home and I was recuperating from that jaw surgery. I told her that I'd love to but couldn't possibly leave. Then she got another idea. She called and said she would purchase with her points a round trip ticket for our grandaughter, Shereen. to visit from Seattle for Christmas. Our daughter, Arlene, who lives next to us, and ourselves were so happy and grateful as we haven't seen her in almost 3 years.

What a beautiful gift she gave us, to be able to have a wonderful Christmas with our grandaughter. Since Shereen's father abandoned her many years ago, Gord was her father image so to speak, and you can just imagine how wonderful this gift of kindness is for us.

[lvkacey]

The Christmas Shoes (band/artist Newsong)

It was almost Christmas time,
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood.
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously,
Pacing round like little boys do,
And in his hands, he held a pair of shoes.
And his clothes were worn and old.
He was dirty from head to toe,
And when it came his time to pay,
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say.

Chorus:

Sir, I wanna buy these shoes for my momma please.
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size.
Could you hurry, Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see, she's been sick for quite a while;
Know these shoes will make her smile.
Want her to look beautiful if Momma meets Jesus tonight.


He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said “There’s not enough here.”
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me.
He said “Momma made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without.
Tell me, Sir, what am I gonna do?
Somehow I’ve got to buy these Christmas shoes!”
So I laid the money down;
I just had to help him out.
And I’ll never forget the look on his face
When he said “Momma’s gonna look so great!”

Chorus

I knew that I got a glimpse of heaven’s love
As he thanked me and ran out.
I knew that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about.
Chorus in children’s voices

Young boy:
I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

[Joanne]

The Goodness Of Clay's Fans
Rainlover
Local user
(12/19/04 6:52 pm)

www.newsobserver.com/life...4453c.html


Published: Dec 19, 2004
Modified: Dec 19, 2004 3:00 AM

A holiday memory in the age of Clay

Staff Writers

Stough Elementary School fifth-grader Hannah Lee learned a valuable lesson last week about the spirit of Christmas when she was chosen to sing in concert with Raleigh's "American Idol" star Clay Aiken at Meymandi Concert Hall.
The best part wasn't her choral group's Big Gig with Clay. It wasn't that Hannah got to do a Bible recitation during the show, narrating Joseph and Mary's plight on Christmas Eve. It wasn't even that after the show, she was one of only three children in her choir selected through a "smile contest" to pose with Clay for an individual photograph, in addition to the choir's group photo with the star.

No, the neatest part was how Hannah's mom, Kim Lee of Raleigh, who'd been shut out of the sold-out show by the time she learned that Hannah would be featured, was given a ticket at the last minute by her friend Neva Miller of Apex. Miller's husband, Kevin, bowed out of their family outing to free up the ticket. (Miller admitted that her hubby wasn't exactly distraught at the change in plans.)

But then it got better. Lee ran into long-lost friend Annette Dray of Cary at the concert and told her of Kevin Miller's generosity. Dray went home and told her husband, Frank Dray, who was planning to attend Aiken's second show Monday. Frank Dray figured that with two student choirs -- the 30 Stough singers and a group from Southeast Raleigh High -- there must be other parents unable to attend. He couldn't bear that thought. So the Drays tracked down Lee and asked if she knew someone else in need.

She did. Without hesitation, Dray gave the pricey ticket away.

Lee still marvels at her friends' thoughtfulness, and she hopes she'll have an opportunity to pay it all forward.

"This is such a busy time of year that people aren't thinking much past what they're doing at that moment," she said. "Just the kindness and the generosity and the goodness that came out of this experience was incredible."

(Orla Swift)

[lvkacey]

I know this isn't quite a "random act of kindness" but so many are in need.

Tsunami Toll Jumps to Over 125,000, Fear Lingers

Up to five million people were displaced by tsunamis that killed nearly 119,000 people in Asia, officials said, as aftershocks rocked traumatized survivors.

"We estimate that up to five million people have been displaced and are at risk across the region," Harsaran Pandey, spokeswoman for the World Health Organisation in South Asia, told AFP.

The global health body said between one and three million of those affected were in Indonesia, with another one million in Sri Lanka. The rest were spread between India, the Maldives and other nations.

---------

What can we do????

International aid organizations are accepting donations to help victims of the powerful earthquake and resulting tsunamis that caused widespread destruction in parts of South Asia and East Africa. The groups include:


http://redcross.org/

http://www.careusa.org/

http://www.catholicrelief.org/

http://www.christianchildrensfund.org/

http://www.jdc.org/

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

http://www.lwr.org/

https://secure3.salvationarmy.org/donations...N-USN_redshield

http://www.savethechildren.org/

http://www.unicef.org/index.html

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Additional organizations accepting donations to assist can be located at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/2...unami.aidsites/