Remember the other day when I posted about Project 25? Brief summary, my husband and I are dedicating 25 days to lesson giving with our children.
Today we chose Project Night Night. Thanks to an email from reader Julie Wahnish, pictured left, coordinator for the Birmingham chapter of Project Night Night.
Here's what she wrote:
If you need some ideas for Project 25 we collect new and like-new stuffed animals and books for abused and homeless children in our area. They are bundled in a tote bag with a new blanket, then taken to local shelters. If your children are cleaning out their goodies from Christmas past we can use them for Project Night Night. This is an especially busy time for us; moms flee abusive homes over the holidays to lessen their childrens' exposure to an abusive partner, and shelter moms need something to give their children for Christmas. So please, keep us in mind.
I immediately talked to my husband about participating because we have so many stuffed animals that there is a ban on purchasing or receiving stuffed animals at our house.
Now let me preface this donation story with the mood -- asking children to donate their stuffed animals is not easy.
It's not easy for them and it won't be easy for you.
A couple of things will happen.
1. They will cry and try to justify keeping every stuffed animal.
2. You'll get choked up too, because you will remember when and where you got each one.
3. Then you'll need to explain to them that we can take a picture of the stuffed animals and then give them new homes with children that had to leave all of their toys and stuffed animals behind. That's what makes Project Night Night such a worthy cause for purging gently used stuffed animals.
Here's how PNN works:
"Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year, free of charge, to homeless children who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag. By providing objects of reliable comfort, Project Night Night reduces trauma and advances the emotional and cognitive well-being of the children we serve."
About Julie and how you can help donate too:
Here's a recap of our other projects:
Saturday, day 1, Dec. 1 -- we donated more than 75 toy and clothing items to Mission Possible. All of which were in good shape and had plenty of life left.
Sunday -- day 2, Dec. 2 -- We created home made Christmas cards for US soldiers through the Holiday Mail for Heroes. Go
Monday -- day 3, Dec. 3 -- We packed some gift bags for Be a Santa to a Senior.
Go
. Go
the Project 25 post.
Day 4, Dec. 4 -- We selected some Angel Tree needs. Our first Angel is a 12 year old boy. Go
to check it out.
Day 5, Dec. 5
We signed 100 Christmas cards for the residents of the TLC Nursing Center in Oneonta and delivered today after school
see the post.
Day 6, Dec. 6 -- Go
post.
Today we raided our wrapping paper stash to make a contribution to Children's Hospital Sugar Plum Shop.
The
for parents of patients staying at Children's Hospital to shop for free and get toys and items for their children.
While toys and items for teens are needed, so are wrapping supplies.
Day 7, Dec. 7 -- We made treat bags and delivered cupcakes to the children living at Jessie's Place.
bout it.
Day 8, Dec. 8 -- treats for the firefighters. Go
.
Day 9, Dec. 9 -- Coats for Hurricane Sandy victims via Christian Service Mission. G
Day 10, Dec. 10 -- we chose the Warming Hearts Helps to Warm Seniors program sponsored by the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging.
Day 11, Dec. 11 -- We chose the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. After school today we put together a box of office supplies and cleaning products. Also we picked up a giant bag of newspapers my mom and dad were going to recycle.
Go
the post.
Day 12, Dec. 12 -- We delivered make up and other items to the First Light women's shelter.
it.
Day. 13 Dec. 13 -- We donated items to the YWCA Santa's Workshop for homeless children. Go
post.
Day 14 Dec. 14 -- We donated to YWCA's Sister's Closet. Go
post.
Day 15 Dec. 15 -- We put together a gift pack of items for the Save-A-Life mom buck and daddy class program. Go h
Day 16, Dec. 16 -- We donated old greeting cards to St. Jude's recycled card program. Go
post.
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