Thanks for ringing!

The Salvation Army raised a record amount this year thanks to everyone who donated and helped ring bells!  ...some of those people are from AHG :)

Here is a link to this story.

Thank you to those who spent their time helping this organization.  Many AHG families gave up 30 minutes or more of their time to help this community.

THANK YOU!

January Service Opportunity!

Each month until the end of May we will be focusing on one specific service opportunity that our troop can participate in together.  Here are the details for our January service opportunity.

      January Service Opp.

What we need YOU to do:  bring any coins (or cash...checks...those work too) to AHG meetings in January for Feed My Starving Children.  We are trying to raise enough money to supply a box of food for a child.  Look for the containers to drop off your coins at the AHG meetings.

How much money are we trying to raise?  $80.  It is a big goal but this $80 will supply food for one child for an entire year.

Just imagine this...it costs .22 cents to produce one of the packs of food.  These packages are full of vitamins and nutrients that these kids need in order to survive.  This isn't just so they can have a snack here and there...this is so they can live another day.  If we raise $80 we would be saving a child so they could live an entire year.  As Americans this is something that we truly can't imagine since food is always available to us and is at every corner, restaurant and store we visit.

According to numbers given from 2011, 18,000 kids die each day from starvation.  Hunger is a huge problem in our world and is something that we can help with and something that can be fixed.

How can you help with this at home:

• Look as a family for extra coins in your house.  
• Ask neighbors for any extra coins they may have laying around...even what is in their pocket.  
• Talk to your teachers and see if your class can bring in coins one day.  
• Ask your Sunday School group to participate on a weekend and tell them all about Feed My Starving Children.  
• Look in your car, in your couch cushions or in the extra change jar.  
• Ask your relatives at Christmas if they have any coins they could donate.  
• Pray...read about Feed My Starving Children and what this organization is all about and pray for the kids that need this food and that the money collected will be helping.
• Make your own container at home...get a can or plastic container.  Take a piece of paper and decorate it.  Tape it to the outside of the container so you are reminded what those coins are for.  Show your AHG Leader and group your container during our January meetings as you drop off the coins you collected.
• Are you on Facebook?  Have a blog?  Link this site and share it with your friends so they know what you are doing and collecting coins for.  You may have a friend, relative or neighbor who will see it and want to give you their entire change jar!

When are we collecting?  The AHG meetings in January are January 7th and 21st.  Our Winter Ceremony is January 7th but we will have some special helpers holding containers where you can drop your coins off and they will be by the doors to the sanctuary.  On January 21st we will have special containers sitting on the stage where you can put your coins during the meeting.

Extra Info: 
Flyer about Feed My Starving Children
Want to give more than just coins?  View this flyer and print it off, fill it out and turn in with your donation so you can receive a receipt for your giving.
Website for Feed My Starving Children

Did you know we at AHG have a chance to pack these meals?
AHG also has the opportunity to volunteer with a mobile pack for Feed My Starving Children...one time as a group and additional times that are available for you to serve as a family or parent/child team.    This is coming to Rochester in January and dates/times are still available to sign up.  For more info on this opportunity please view this post on our AHG Service Website. 

2 ways to still help The Salvation Army before Christmas

A Special Request to those in the Rochester area from The Salvation Army...

The Salvation Army has sent out a note to those who have been helping with a humble but urgent request.  There is now less than 2 weeks before Christmas and soon the Christmas Toy & Joy Shop will be open for families in the Rochester area.  

How can you help?

1)  Purchase a new toy, clothing or other gift for the store.  You can drop these new items (unwrapped, please) at The Salvation Army Sharing Tree at Apache Mall or either Perkins locations, Sams's Club, both Walmart location or to the main office location at 20 First Avenue NE in Rochester.  We are grateful for anything you can provide!

2)  Volunteer 2 hours to help a family shop for gifts.  Thursday, December 20th from 8:30am - 7:30pm and Friday, December 21st from 8:30am to 4:30pm is when families will be coming to shop for their kids.  Help is needed to walk with the family member as they look for age- appropriate gifts and for the correct number of items for each child in the family.  Call 507-288-3663 and ask for Jenny to sign up for just 2 hours either day.

Feed My Starving Children

Hunger.  A day or more without a meal.  Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit group that packages meals for those that are hungry around the world.  

AHG has 2 ways that you can be involved!

1)  Want to go with a group?  Join us to pack at Feed My Starving Children: Click on the link and you will be directed to the site where you can sign up and volunteer with other AHG group members to help pack meals at Feed My Starving Children in Christ Community Church on Sat, January 26, 2013 from 11:30am - 1:30pm.  We have 35 more spots left with our group.  The name that you will be signing up with is The Williams Family.  (please review the age requirements for this volunteer opportunity)

2)  Want to sign up on your own or as a family?  Other dates and times are also available on Thursday, January 24th, Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th.  You can find out more info about those times at www.cccrochester.org or by clicking on the link to volunteer for this event here.

Right now there are many spots still available but they go fast and are open to the public...so sign up today!

Wear your AHG uniform, don't wear jewelry and be ready to strut a very fashionable new hairstyle while you serve.  :)

Want to know more about what Feed My Starving Children is?
Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship the meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. Click here to learn more about FMSC and how you can become involved.

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.  :)

A few service ideas from www.greatdeeds.org

A local non-profit organization has a wonderful flyer full of ways you can help others.

Take a moment to read through these and see how you might be able to perform a great deed to others.

You can find out more information about this organization at www.greatdeeds.org

Cans Film Festival

Save the date for Saturday, December 1st

Help The Salvation Army and Channel One Food Bank gather 20,000 cans this year!  Spread the word and join Wehrenberg Theaters in feeding our friends in need.

How you can help:

• Donate 5 cans of food and see a movie before 5pm for FREE!
• Bring an additional 10 cans of food (15 total) per person and receive an additional pass to come back another day (this is limited to 1per person).
• All proceeds fill The Salvation Army and Channel One Food Bank food shelves.
• The individual who donates the most cans (from all U.S. Wehrendberg Theater locations) will receive a year-long personal pass for unlimited movies!
• Check the newspaper for show times, call 1-800-FANDANGO or visit www.wehrenberg.com

There are no rain checks for this event.  Seating is limited to theatre capacity and there may be shows that are sold out...you may want to plan ahead and come early.  

The Sharing Tree

The Sharing Tree will once again be located at the Apache Mall starting November 16th.  

How can you help?

• save your pennies, collect money you find in your couches, in your cars or even money that you have saved up.
• go shopping with your family and purchase a toy that you know another child would enjoy.
• go to the Apache Mall and look for the large Christmas tree.
• as you walk by the large Christmas tree you will notice a large fence around it.  All items inside the fence are donations for The Salvation Army's Toy and Joy Shop.  This shop helps area families that could use the help so their own kids can have something to open on Christmas day.
• record the hours you went shopping and the time it took to drop off your item to The Sharing Tree.
• remember to pray for the child that will be receiving the gift that you picked out.

Here is a special event just for The Sharing Tree.

Lighting of the Sharing Tree at Apache Mall (Friday, November 16^th at 5:00 pm)

Join KTTC/FOX47/The CW and KROC AM/FM in kicking off the Christmas Season with the annual lighting of the Sharing Tree.  Come out and donate one of the first gifts of the year at the Sharing Tree, listen to The Salvation Army’s Band, and catch the live television and radio broadcasts.  Special thanks to Apache Mall for hosting the tree again.  All donations benefit The Salvation Army’s Toy and Joy Shop, helping area families provide gifts to their children this Christmas.

Fall Service Opportunity

The leaves are falling...and some are already down and off the trees.  This makes the ground look beautiful!

Raking leaves can be a very hard task for some of those in our neighborhoods and this is a great opportunity to serve those that live near you.

Here are a few steps to take if you know of a family or see a yard that might need some maintenance this fall:

• this is a parent/child activity

• ask the owner first if it is ok to help them out with some raking.

• be sure to identify yourself and wear your AHG uniform or one of your AHG t-shirts.

• bring your rake and some trash bags

• ask the owner where the bags of leaves can be placed

• be sure to let the owner know when you are down and wish them a great day.

• remember to pray for the family you helped.  You could even make a card for them and send it in the mail letting them know how much you appreciate the opportunity to help them out with their leaves.

• record the service time you spent raking leaves and praying for the family and staying in contact with them.

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Did you know that an average amount of money that is brought in through the ringing the red kettle bells is over $50/hour?  This money helps residents in our area that are in need.  

Sign-ups have started to pick a time when you can help raise money for The Salvation Army!  Look for the sign-ups at the registration tables at the next meeting.

Here are the details on The Salvation Army Bell Ringing:

• Find a date and time frame that works for you and your family
• You can sign up as a parent/child (2 people), a parent/child pair or trio (3 people max) or a group that is a maximum of 5 people.
• Time to ring bells is 30 minutes.  
• The location that we have is for Hobby Lobby.  This location is in their lobby, between the inside doors and the outside doors.  You won't be standing out in the cold but you may get a little breeze every now and then as the doors open.
• Uniforms should be worn...and bring gloves or a long sleeve shirt/sweat just in case you get a little chilly.

Dates and Times Available:

• November 10th - 30 minute slots from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm
• December 1st - 30 minute slots from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm
• December 15th - 30 minute slots from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm

November 5th Service Night

November 5th is our semi-annual Service Night at American Heritage Girls!

The details are coming together and here are a few things to look forward to and plan:

• Operation Hometown Gratitude
• making cookies for the troops!  Plan on bringing to the meeting on November 5th cookies that are made at home.   Package the cookies in a plastic GLAD containers, or equivalent, no larger than 10" X 5"X 8". In each container place a slice or piece of bread to retain moisture, then securely tape lid on.  We will have extra supplies that night if they are needed.
• we will also have a questionnaire that you can fill out too that is a nice note for the troops to read as they are enjoying your freshly baked cookies.
• Check out this link to see how you can get 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. 
• AHG will be making no-sew blankets at our Service Night that will be donated to this group.  Blankets made that night will be given to the following organizations:  Olmsted County Medical Hospital  Salvation Army Transitional Housing, Women's Shelter, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Crisis Nursery, Ronald McDonald House, Rochester Methodist Hospital, Birthright of Rochester, Rochester Schools' Students -in-Transition Program, St. Marys Hospital, New Life Family Services and Gift of Life Transplant House.
• 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.  
• What can you do at home?  Make cards at home!  The deadline to get the cards to the address collecting is December 7th...so you still have time after Service Night to make cards on your own or with your family and send them on your own.  Before you decide to make them at home though please be sure to check out the card guidelines.  The address details and card guidelines can be found here.  
• AHG will collect cards at Service Night and will also collect cards made from home at the November 19th meeting.  Anything made after that will need to be mailed by your family.
•   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.  
•   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.

A few other ideas are in the works and may be presented at Service Night.