Life's Most persistent and urgent question is "What are you doing for others?"
Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday January 16th, is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. One of the best ways to honor Dr. King's legacy is by dedicating yourself to service in some way. By doing so you'll be following in his footsteps. Most school-aged kids in Lincoln will have the day off. We can use this day to teach our children about Martin Luther King Jr by serving others.
Some of these ideas need a bit of planning ahead and some you can do without having to prepare anything.
1) Bake Treats for a Local Fire Station or Police Department
You can bake treats or bring a bowl of fruit (I hear they get a lot of cookies).
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2) Make Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
Many homeless struggle with the most basic needs: brushing teeth, washing hands, combing hair. Have each child or family bring one good for the bags: hand sanitizer, toothpaste, socks, quarters, etc. Then after the bags are assembled, each family can take a few to keep in their car and pass out to people in need.
3) Decorate Meals on Wheels Delivery Bags
Meals on Wheels delivers their food in brown paper bags. Contact Meals on Wheels to pick up bags to decorate and return. 402.486.8589
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4) Honor Our Service Men & Women
Write letters of gratitude or make cards. Then mail the cards to Operation Gratitude who will ensure they are given to deserving soldiers.
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5) Organize a canned food drive on your street. Let your neighbors know that you will be coming by to collect canned goods and then donate them to the Food Bank of Lincoln. Here is their list of most-needed food items.
6) Foster a Cat or Dog
The Capital Humane Society's greatest need is for foster families. Foster care is a vital part of our ability to help more animals. Volunteers provide foster care for a variety of reasons which may include:
- Kittens that need to gain weight before they can be spayed or neutered
- A mother cat or dog that needs a quiet place to nurse her litter
- A shy dog or cat in need of socialization
- Dogs or cats that need a course of medication for respiratory illness
- Dogs or cats recovering from a surgical procedure
- Small animals, such as a guinea pig, may also need care in a foster home
Complete an online application at https://www.capitalhumanesociety.org/getinvolved/
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7) Go Through Your Books
If you are like my family you have many beloved books, sometimes too many. Gather the books that that your kids aren't enjoying anymore and donate them to a preschool, a hospital, doctor's office or a little free library.
Lincoln can be an even better place to live if we all do our part to serve others in need.
