Your Gifts Made a Difference

I learned a lot from last year's holiday party at Veterans Village.

I learned that it was not a good idea to hand out wrapped presents and hope they would all be somehow equal and pleasing.

I learned that what the Veterans really wanted  (towels, sheets, gift cards slippers, posh candy, pajamas and robes) wasn't quite in line with what good-hearted people gave me to give them. You don't even want me to make a list of shame here people, don't even.

This year I made a list of suggested donations and it worked out fantastically.

Volunteers dropped donations by and mailed them and sent them to me from their daughter to my daughter. I know a few of you out there weren't able to get your donation to me in time -- don't worry,  not a single Veteran left the event empty handed, please save it for the Spring Fling donation drive you didn't know you were going to help me with.


Here is an incomplete list of people who dropped donations by my office, compiled entirely from the sticky notes etc that I found on the gifts.

That's my office door.

Here is a picture of donations that came via mail, daughters and etc. Soft blankets, special treats, gift cards to Publix, Walmart, Panera and Starbucks.

 I'm not sure if she wants everyone to know, but one of my AXO sisters from Loyola sponsored 10 Veterans AND sent a donation to entirely cover two upcoming Thursday night dinners.

Amazing, right?

This is a picture of my kitchen counter, collecting donations and gift cards.

So today, the day of the event, I met one of my students in my office and we sorted and counted the donations.

We talked through how things could go that would be better than last year and decided to make 4 stations: 1) gift cards 2)  towels 3) sheet sets 4) a bonus item (slippers, posh chocolate, robes).

This helped us figure how to package and repackage the gifts and load them into our cars.

This is me with a car full of sheets, slippers and  posh chocolate goodies.

Once we got to Veterans Village we were joined by other TCC community volunteers and once we were all set up the goodies went so fast I seriously could not get more pictures than you see below.

Tonight's Elves

Rows of thick towels, the extra large nice ones, all ready for Veterans to take a pick.

This is the bonus pick car. Slippers, robes, posh chocolate.

I was so busy talking to the Veterans and moving them through the stations that I have no pictures of the lovely  dinner of comfort food and individual cheesecakes being served upstairs by two other TCC faculty.

There was a lot of laughing, a lot of hugging, and even a few men walking around proudly in lovely new robes and such.

Your gifts made a difference.

Thank you thank you thank you to all of you who helped this year.

Thank you to all of you who helped in the past and a special thank you those of you who are plotting how you can help in 2017.

Kelsey's Report

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou.

This quote stood out to be because being kind to others goes a long way. People don’t always remember what you say to them or what you did for them, but they will always remember how you made them feel, whether in a good way or bad way.

Random acts of kindness go a long way and I was always taught that. Donating items to people who are less fortunate than you is always a good feeling.

For my service project, I made a holiday box for the veterans. I picked out what I think that they would enjoy most and that is a comfy blanket, candy and a gift card. I hope that these three items have made an impact on them and that they are thankful for receiving these items. Doing good deeds for other people not only makes them feel good, but also yourself. Making this gift box was really fun and I enjoyed it. I liked decorating my box and knowing that I am doing something for someone else who is less fortunate than me. I wish I would have cooked something for them and brought it to them but I like decorating and picking items out for people I know they will enjoy and use.

These acts of kindness go a long way, not just for me but for other people to. Having people do this will make others want to do it more and enjoy helping the veterans. I will definitely try to help those in need more often than I already do. This not only has an impact on them, but you and all the people around you. Many people will see what you are doing and want to help as well.

My great grandpa was a veteran of World War II so doing these kinds of things for other people really impact me. He was a big part of my life before he passed away. Helping these veterans means a lot to me and I would like to do it more. They put their life on the line to serve our country so I want them to know that we appreciate that more than anything.

Last Christmas I did something similar to this, as well. I didn’t make a holiday box but I went to a foster care home and brought candy and food for them to celebrate with them. Many kids don’t have parents who support them and give them gifts and love for Christmas, so I wanted to do the best that I could to make them feel happy. Having the ability to help other people will always make you feel better, and them as well.

Every Christmas my family likes to help other people who don’t get to be with their family, so this year we are going to an old age home and bringing them gifts. Many elderly people don’t have families that visit them and care for them, so it’s always good to make them feel loved, especially during the holidays.

Putting together my holiday gift box really put a perspective on my life and will make me want to help others more. Many people don’t get the chance to enjoy life the way they want to and to enjoy being with their family, that’s why random acts of kindness go a long way. Every year I will do something like this, whether it is for the veterans, foster care children or the old age home.

My quote, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” has always stood out to me in my life and it is very true. Whenever someone you know, or even don’t know, hears your name or sees you in public, they will always remember how this person made them feel, which can either be good or bad. Having a good impact on someone is always better than having a bad one, so be nice to others. It goes a long way.

AMH 2020 Quiz 7 Study Guide