I have done my very best always to make sure my children understand the importance of being kind, not passing judgment, helping able, and standing up for things they believe in. It warms my heart when my kids get excited about giving back or donating their time. Every year we sponsor a family and volunteer with some of the churches and my teen daughter always help Toys for Tots. With the help of Hasbro we were also able to donate FIFTY (50) brand new toys! Yes, how amazing is that?
I told the girls about it, and they were excited, but I don’t think they realized how many toys that is. Well, they did one day when the UPS man carried them all to the door with the help of my girls of course. Of course, the first thing Mattie said is can I open it, lol. I reminded her that we were going to donate these toys and both of the girls mouths dropped. Vayda said oh mom, that’ going to make like 678 kids happy, lol. Darn kids have no idea about numbers yet, but I know what she was trying to say. It’s an incredible opportunity for all of us, and I am beyond words thankful Hasbro allowed my children and me to be part of this.
Oh, that’s not even close to all the gifts we were able to donate. There was everything from games, to Transformers, My Little Pony, Sinon, Dovenchi, gosh so many great toys I just know they made some children VERY happy.
Your kids can join the Joy Maker Challenge too!
The Joy Maker Challenge is awesome, and a great way to get kids and teens motivated to go out there and help. You never know, they might just end up enjoying it. My oldest daughter volunteers all year at a few different places because she loves knowing that she is helping someone who is in need. She understands that money is only a material thing; we can have plenty today, lose or job the next and be in the same place. She always tells me that she hopes nothing like that every happens to her, but if it does she would hope that someone would, at least, be kind because the world is filled with enough jerks. Sadly, she is right one jerk is too many, and one rude or snide remark when you’re down on yourself can have a traumatic impact. If anything, this holiday season is kind to EVERYONE because you don’t know their story.
The youth division of Point of Light has joined Hasbro, Inc for The Joy Make Challenge, which is an annual campaign forced on connecting children 5 – 18 to get a hand on service projects and spread the joy of the holidays through volunteer services.
Every child 5 to 18 who steps up and accepts The Joy Maker Challenge and volunteers Hasbro will make a donation to Toys for Tots, which will be a game or toy. Every child or teen who volunteers during the challenge that ends on December 23rd, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots, up to $1 MILLION worth!
You can sign up or share stories on The Joy Maker Challenge using the campaign’s website GenerationOn.org/JoyMaker. You can also find service project ideas as well as planning tools you can download. The campaign website also includes project guides, which were developed by generationOn to help children learn how to spread joy to those who may be in need during the holidays – military service men and women, seniors, people without homes, sick children, etc.
Kids will also have a chance to win $1000 grant, and 20 others will win a $250 grant each. Throughout the campaign, one participant will be selected each week to receive a pack of 10 Hasbro toys to donate in their local community
Before we hauled everything out to the car Mattie wanted to see just how many gifts tall she was lol. She has a whole lot of growing left to do if she wants to be taller than all these toys headed for Toys for Tots. Seeing all the toys stacked like that really helped Mattie understand how many children they can help have a great Christmas. After we dropped everything off Mattie cried, it was so sweet. She told me she didn’t know why she was crying, she was happy because we were helping other kids.
How can I take part in The Joy Maker Challenge?
It’s easy! Head over to GenerationOn.org/JoyMaker to sign up and let them know what you are planning to do, get some idea while you are there – projects, reflection guides, and lesson plants to help you spread joy while volunteering, and share your story. Be sure to share your story before the 23td so you will be entered to win the grants up for grabs.
We were given all these toys to donate in exchange for sharing information bout The Joy Maker Challenge and the importance of helping your local charities this holiday season. Please, don’t forget a little goes a long way if we all particiapate.
1 comment
My dad was elderly & wanted company, so I moved in with him, he lived in a different state. 3 months later he had a major stoke & I found myself homeless with no money. A convent housed me free for 3 months. I got a job and moved out, but I will always be so thankful for that program for women. I always say, but by the Grace of God, there go I. You cannot ever judge others, you have not walked a mile in their shoes.