Service Night Coming Soon!

AHG!  Service Night is coming up soon and we have a great evening planned for you.  :)

Mark your calendars for Monday, April 7th at 6pm...and be sure to be on time!  We have a lot of stuff to do, a great speaker that will be sharing their story (which ties in to one of our service projects for the night) and many new projects to work on this year.

*I have been working on putting these projects together over the last few months and just have to tell you...I still get comments from Next Chapter Ministries about the notes and treats you made at our last service night.  You may not think you did much or that a little note or picture is a big deal...but all of you made a HUGE impact to kids that are your age who are living right here in Rochester.  Thank you for helping.  I can't wait to show you what is coming up and see the impact that you will make from our next Service Night!*

For those who participate in this service night, 1 hour can be added on your service log.

-Jessica Williams

AHG Troop 0521 Service Coordinator

Next Chapter Ministries Service Opportunities

Are you looking for a way to help others out that live in the Rochester area?

At our last Service Night we introduced you to a group called Next Chapter Ministries.  This group is located in Rochester, MN and works with a variety of people in the area.  Our focus during our service night was to provide encouragement to the kids that are part of this program.

I recently heard from this ministry in town and they are wondering if you would like to help them!  Here are a few ways that you, a few friends or you and a parent can help:

1. cleaning/organization in the kids area (organizing the game closet, cleaning out craft bins, straightening books, etc.).  That would probably take 1-2 hrs and you would come at a time when the kids aren't all here.
2. The kids loved the treats AHG made before, so this would be a great thing to do again! :)  Or making fleece tie blankets would be another way to help this group, these are often given out as gifts and the kids love them.
3. Come teach a craft to the kids during their Monday/Wednesday kids group.  For this to happen, it shouldn't be a big group of kids that would teach but about 4 to 7 would work well. 
4. A few girls could also just come to participate in the kids group for an evening to meet the kids and see how Next Chapter Ministries works with the youth.  

If you are interested in helping with any of these opportunities, please contact Jessica W. at an AHG meeting or via e-mail at mominmn@gmail.com.  

Days for Girls Service Event March 29th

Hi Pipas -

The Radiant Rubies are planning a Social/Service Event for girls (moms too,
if they want).  It is an afternoon in support of the ‘Days for Girls’
ministry – a program that provides hygiene kits for girls in Africa.

When:  this Saturday, March 29th from 11am - 4pm.  Stay for all or some of the time!
Where:  Christ Community Church Room 203 - attached to the Café.
How:  Drop off items…. or come stay to knit, crochet, or tie blankets. See
attached for details.
If you're being dropped off a permission slip will need to be filled out when you arrive.
Questions:  e-mail the Radiant Rubies at willowcreek6@gmail.com

http://www.daysforgirls.org/

Hope to see you there on Saturday!
Mrs. Gisi

Jessica Gisi
Troop Coordinator

Help Needed at Kingdom Kids Carnival

Kingdom Kids Preschool, which is located at Christ Community Church, is holding its annual fundraiser and is in need of volunteers!

This fundraiser helps provide funds for scholarships to those in the community who would like to attend this Christian preschool.

Parents...we need your help with this too!  We need one person to coordinate this volunteer event for any AHG members that would like to help.  Several AHG members and volunteers with AHG will be at the camping event so our regular helpers are not available.  If you would like to coordinate this, please contact Jessica Williams at mominmn@gmail.com  Once we have a volunteer this page will be updated to let you all know who the contact is for the service opportunity.

Adult Volunteer:  ___________________

Check out the link below to view all of the ways to help at this event (there are lots and it looks like a lot of fun!)

Link of volunteer opportunities at this event:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054FA5A72EA64-cirque1

For specific questions regarding this event and what each activity involves, please contact Autumn Penz (her contact info is also at the link above)

Thanks!
Jessica Williams

Teen MOPS Drive to Fill the Cribs!

TeenMOPS Drive to Fill the Cribs!

Teen MOPS is a local non-profit organization that works with teen moms in the Rochester area.  They meet twice a month as a group and serve a meal for the teens, their kids and the leaders and then go in the youth room at Christ Community Church.  Years ago I had the pleasure of starting this organization at Christ Community Church and to date...300+ teens have passed through the doors to be part of this organization.  

Recently, Olmsted County stopped their program that provided assistance to teen moms and so now...this is the only organization of its kind in our area.  It has also been the only organization that meets with teen moms that is Christ centered.  When I was part of this group, teens from the cities and from the Albert Lea area would drive to the meetings because there was no support like Teen MOPS in their own county.

Part of this ministry to the girls and their children is a store (MOPShop) that they can shop at through "money" they earn doing different activities that encourage positive parenting (going to well check doctor visits, attending Teen MOPS events or a church service, reading to their child, going to school, etc.).

This is where you come in… you can help us fill the MOPShop with diapers, wipes, books, toys, and household items that the girls can "buy". Bring in items during the February meeting and help us fill up the crib located by the doors we enter at Christ Community Church!  

If you would like to know more about this ministry or how you can help more, please send me an e-mail at mominmn@gmail.com  

Thanks!

Jessica Williams

Service Coordinator

"No School Day!" service ideas

Our Minnesota weather...and some holidays coming up...are giving us some days where we are having a few more hours that are not spent studying and working on homework.

Looking for some ideas on what you could do to fill in those hours and have it be service related?

Here are a few things that you could do:

• go around your neighborhood with your mom or dad and ask neighbors for any food donations for a local food shelf.  Deliver those as a family & thank those who gave items.  (Thanks to the AHG family that submitted this idea!)
• Make a batch of cookies or muffins for a neighbor you haven't seen in a few weeks...and just say "hi".
• Shovel the driveway or sidewalk of a neighbor.  We have had a lot of snow...and after driving around today I noticed a lot of sidewalks that could use some touch-up.
• Ask your local church if they have any events where they could use help folding papers, cutting out items for the kids' crafts or even help watching kids during those events.
• Write a thank-you note to one person that has really made you smile, someone who has helped you in some way or even someone that invited you over for a playdate.  
• Venture out to a local laundry mat...put quarters in some machines so someone has a surprise free load of laundry!
• Make a sun catcher with craft supplies...and give it to someone in a nursing home.  This way they have something beautiful to look at as they are glancing out the window and they have made a new friend...you!

:)

Childcare Service Opportunity February 13th

Are you 12 years old or older?  Childcare helpers are needed during a choir concert on Thursday, February 13th.  

The Arioso, Cantabile, and Con Brio choirs will have their winter choir concert at Zumbro Lutheran Church and help is needed for younger kids of the families.  Childcare help is needed from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Interested in helping?  E-mail Susan at susankludtke@frontiernet.net to sign up.  Girls must be 12 years old or older to volunteer.  For every 2 girls that help, one mom is also needed to stay and volunteer.

Thanks!