Volunteering Outside the Box

Operation Christmas Child is a well known organization in our area.  The last few AHG meetings we had the opportunity to walk past boxes decorated in Christmas wrapping...all of these were being collected for this very organization.  Guess how many boxes were collected at just Christ Community Church?  Over 700!  Now imagine all of the other churches in the area that collected, then expand that to the cities and then all of Minnesota.  How many boxes do you think are collected just in this state?

I don't have that answer but do know that these boxes don't just pack themselves into a crate or larger box themselves.  Help is needed to get these boxes full of Christmas goodies to the kids overseas...some of these kids have never even had a Christmas gift.  Let's take just a second to grasp that...no Christmas gifts...ever.

The boxes are now all collected in the large processing centers around the US.  Right now people are inspecting the shoeboxes and packing them where they need to go.

You can help too!
If you are 13 years old or older you can be one of the people who helps make sure these boxes are ready.  Spaces fill up fast and the work is done when...the work is done.

If you would like more information about this part of volunteering with Operation Christmas Child you can visit their website here. 


To get an idea of what Operation Christmas Child is all about...view the video below.  This is Ralph and his story.

4 NEW Service Opps for you!

We have 4 brand new service opportunities for you.  

Some are very easy, some require a little thought or time and others require the help of some family.  

Will any of these work for you?

• 1 AHG member to make a thank you note to the Cheerful Givers organization before December 15th.  We want to say thanks to them for bringing all of the supplies and staying with us during our Service Night meeting as we worked on their service project.  Cheerful Givers is an organization that puts together birthday bags for kids that are living in shelters or their families are needing the services or organizations like Channel One.  Interested in helping with this please e-mail Jessica at mominmn@gmail.com for more information and to claim this service opportunity. Card and stamp need to be provided by the AHG member.
• Decorating Placemats.  We had this as one of our service projects during our service night but only had 25 placemats decorated.  We have an entire box full of placemats that are blank and ready to be colored, painted, written on with poems, have portraits drawn on, etc.  These will be at the next AHG meeting and are available for you to pick up, take home, decorate and then bring back to the following AHG meeting.  Service time = the amount of time it takes you to decorate.  If you have time and want to work on some before the next AHG meeting you can always email Jessica @ mominmn@gmail.com and coordinate on picking some of the placemats up.
• KTTC Toy Drive.  Saturday, December 1st from 9am - 4pm, drop off a new toy for Christmas Anonymous.  KTTC is located at 6301 Bandel Road NW. 
• Store Set up for Christmas Anonymous.  Thursday, December 6th from 8am - 9pm or Friday, December 7th from 8am - 9pm.  Who can help?  Individuals and families with kids who are 9 years old and older.  There is no need to sign up, you can just show up and help for as long as you can.  Location is Christ United Methodist Church at 400 5th Ave. SW.  For more information you can visit their website at this link.   

What we accomplished at Service Night

Service Night was a huge success and we couldn't have done as much without all of your help!

Here is what we accomplished:

• Operation Hometown Gratitude
• making cookies for the troops!  We sent off about 8 packages of cookies.  Thanks to those that baked and brought cookies that night.
• Check out this link to see how you can still be involved with this program with your family.
•  Project Linus
• National nonprofit organization that provides handmade blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children. Based in Rochester, we're looking for volunteers, or "blanketeers," to make quilted, knitted, crocheted, or no-sew fleece blankets.  We finished 3 blankets and have about 3 others in the works that we will finish up later on this year.
• How can you help this organization outside of Service Night?  If you have time and would like to make a blanket before November 5th, just bring it with to the meeting and we will make sure it is delivered for you.  You can also check out their website here for more information on how your family can get involved.
•   Holiday Mail for Heros
• the Christmas season is almost here and we get the joy of delivering holiday cards to veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.  The American Red Cross will be collecting the cards made from Americans and sending them on for us.  AHG collected 88 cards and they are being mailed off today! 
•   Diaper Bundles
• a local non-profit called Teen MOPS provides a bundle of diapers to each mom that attends their meetings.  15 to 30 bundles of diapers go to moms each meeting and help is needed getting those diapers ready for the moms to take home.  
• AHG bundled about 20 boxes of diapers!  These will help the group for the rest of this year.  31 bundles of diapers that we did at AHG Service Night were given away to the teens in this group just last Tuesday.
•   Placemats for Season's Hospice
• we have had the privilege of decorating placemats in the past and this organization is excited for your help again!  Get your creative juices flowing, think of some designs you could create to help brighten up a meal.  AHG decorated 25 placemats!  

Bell Ringing Spots open for December 15th

The Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing

Spots still available!

AHG has a few spots still open and these are up for grabs for any AHG family, even if you have already signed up for another time slot.  This is a great way for families or a child/parent to volunteer their time.  You don't get cold (it's inside), you smile at people and thank them as they drop off their change in a red bucket...very easy!

Location:  Hobby Lobby, just inside the front doors

Date:  Saturday, December 15th

The following times are available and you can sign up for these by e-mailing Jessica Williams at mominmn@gmail.com.

(these are 30 minute time slots but you can take multiple spots if you would like)

12:00pm
12:30pm
1:30pm
2:30pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
4:30pm
5:30pm
6:00pm - taken
6:30pm - taken
7:00pm
7:30pm

A few reminders to those who are bell ringing:

• this is a parent/child activity.  Parents must be with their child during the bell ringing.
• AHG uniforms should be worn by the girls.  You may want to wear a long sleeve coat or bring gloves and/or hat just in case there is a breeze.  This is done just inside the doors at Hobby Lobby so you won't be standing outside but the doors will be opening and closing to the outside.
• singing is encouraged :)  
• Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time slot to make sure that there is a smooth transition from the group before you.

The Salvation Army recently sent out the following information on how much money is collected based on who and what is done by the Red Kettle.                                             

REMEMBER:  NO ringer = only pocket change in the Red Kettle

REMEMBER:  ANY Ringer, anytime, anywhere = $50/hour average in donations
REMEMBER:  Creative Ringers (singers, instruments, costumes, etc.) = $100/hour average!

For more information about this service project, you can visit the previous post written about Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army.

Bell Ringing Spots for December 1st

Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army

Spots still available!

AHG has a few spots still open and these are up for grabs for any AHG family, even if you have already signed up for another time slot.  This is a great way for families or a child/parent to volunteer their time.  You don't get cold (it's inside) and you smile at people and thank them as they drop off their change in a red bucket...very easy!

Location:  Hobby Lobby, just inside the front doors

Date:  Saturday, December 1st

The following times are available and you can sign up for these by contacting The Salvation Army.  You can still sign up for the December 15th dates though through AHG by contacting Jessica at mominmn@gmail.com

(these are 30 minute time slots but you can take multiple spots if you would like)

9:00am - taken
9:30am - taken
1:00pm - taken
1:30pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
3:00pm
5:00pm
5:30pm
6:00pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
7:30pm

A few reminders to those who are bell ringing:

• this is a parent/child activity.  Parents must be with their child during the bell ringing.
• AHG uniforms should be worn by the girls.  You may want to wear a long sleeve coat or bring gloves and/or hat just in case there is a breeze.  This is done just inside the doors at Hobby Lobby so you won't be standing outside but the doors will be opening and closing to the outside.
• singing is encouraged :)  
• Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time slot to make sure that there is a smooth transition from the group before you.

The Salvation Army recently sent out the following information on how much money is collected based on who and what is done by the Red Kettle.                                             

REMEMBER:  NO ringer = only pocket change in the Red Kettle

REMEMBER:  ANY Ringer, anytime, anywhere = $50/hour average in donations
REMEMBER:  Creative Ringers (singers, instruments, costumes, etc.) = $100/hour average!

For more information about this service project, you can visit the previous post written about Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army.

December 2nd Gift Wrapping at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble in Apache Mall offers complimentary gift wrapping to those purchasing items in their store.  Our troop will be working the gift wrapping table & hand out information about Cheerful Givers on December 2nd from 3:00pm - 7:00pm.

This service opportunity has 2 parts:

1.  You will be donating your time to help gift wrap at Barnes & Noble OR donating time to pass out information at the entrances to Barnes & Noble at the mall.
2. Tips may be given if a good job is done or if the person getting the wrapping done is feeling generous.  Any tips collected during this time period will be given to the organization, Cheerful Givers. 
1. Cheerful Givers provides a birthday gift to kids that are currently living in shelters or those that have families who rely on the food banks.  This group collects donations and then uses those donations and funds to put together gift bags that include items that a child will receive.  Our AHG troop learned about Cheerful Givers during our service night and this is a great way for us to give back a little bit more.  More information about Cheerful Givers can be found at this link.  

Sign-ups have started already and the girls have been told about this fun service project!  


Here is some info to know:

• this is a parent/child/family activity.  A parent must be with the child at all times and additional family members are welcome to join in on this service opportunity.  
• The AHG uniform should be worn.
• You can sign up for more than 1 time slot.  If you would like to be there for an hour or more...you are welcome to do that!
• All gift wrapping items will already be there.  All you need to do is wrap.
• This is for any age, although please keep in mind that all people who volunteer are encouraged to know how to wrap gifts or be able to learn.
• have fun & show others God's love by your actions with each other during this event!
• Sign up at the upcoming AHG meeting or through e-mail to Jessica at mominmn@gmail.com  Sign-ups are first come, first served and this page will be updated as spots fill up.  Last chance to sign up is Monday, November 19th.

Times available to volunteer with Gift Wrapping at Barnes & Noble (we can have up to 3 people in each slot and Barnes & Noble prefers this to be a parent/child activity and for those who already know how to wrap gifts)

• 3:00pm (0 spots available)
• 3:30pm (0 spots available)
• 4:00pm (0 spots available)
• 4:30pm (0 spots available)
• 5:00pm (0 spots available)
• 5:30pm (0 spots available)
• 6:00pm (3 spots available)
• 6:30pm (3 spots available)

Times available to pass out information at Barnes & Noble (we can have up to 4 people in each slot)

• 3:00pm (4 spots available)
• 3:30pm (4 spots available)
• 4:00pm (4 spots available)
• 4:30pm (4 spots available)
• 5:00pm (2 spots available)
• 5:30pm (4 spots available)
• 6:00pm (4 spots available)
• 6:30pm (4 spots available)

Bell Ringing Spots open for November 10th

Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army

Spots still available!

AHG has a few spots still open and these are up for grabs for any AHG family, even if you have already signed up for another time slot.  This is a great way for families or a child/parent to volunteer their time.  You don't get cold (it's inside), you smile at people and thank them as they drop off their change in a red bucket...very easy!

Location:  Hobby Lobby, just inside the front doors

Date:  Saturday, November 10th

The following times are available and you can sign up for these by e-mailing Jessica Williams at mominmn@gmail.com.

(these are 30 minute time slots but you can take multiple spots if you would like)

12:00pm - taken
2:30pm - taken

3:00pm - taken

3:30pm - taken

5:00pm - taken

5:30pm

6:00pm

6:30pm

A few reminders to those who are bell ringing:

• this is a parent/child activity.  Parents must be with their child during the bell ringing.
• AHG uniforms should be worn by the girls.  You may want to wear a long sleeve coat or bring gloves and/or hat just in case there is a breeze.  This is done just inside the doors at Hobby Lobby so you won't be standing outside but the doors will be opening and closing to the outside.
• singing is encouraged :)  
• Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time slot to make sure that there is a smooth transition from the group before you.

The Salvation Army recently sent out the following information on how much money is collected based on who and what is done by the Red Kettle.                                             

REMEMBER:  NO ringer = only pocket change in the Red Kettle

REMEMBER:  ANY Ringer, anytime, anywhere = $50/hour average in donations
REMEMBER:  Creative Ringers (singers, instruments, costumes, etc.) = $100/hour average!

For more information about this service project, you can visit the previous post written about Bell Ringing with The Salvation Army.

Wrapping Gifts

Do you like to wrap gifts?

Keep your calendar open for the afternoon/late evening of December 2nd.  More info coming...but we will need your help in a location at the mall.  :)