They're accustomed to getting whatever they want. I don't mean toys. I don't mean candy. They're spoiled because they're able to open the fridge and have milk. They're spoiled because they sleep comfortably in beds in air conditioned rooms. They're spoiled because they don't know a life without beautiful parks, shiny bikes, bowling alleys and big TVs. I get irate when turning off Nickelodeon makes my kids cry. I get disgusted when I have to throw away yet another dinner because "there are green vegetables near the chicken. Gross!" I lose it when Madan tells me how much more money he should get for his weekly allowance so he can buy a Nintendo DS.
How do you teach your kids to appreciate what they have and to not take so much for granted? How do you do this when everything they need is practically handed to them? You remind them of how fortunate they are over and over again. But, it doesn't always sink in. That's why my friend Jen and I hosted Playdate Fights Hunger. If we wanted our kids to act less spoiled and understand charity, we figured other mothers must, too. So, the idea was born. Money was raised. Our expectations were exceeded. Initially, we hoped 10-20 of our friends would donate $10 apiece so we could buy food to contribute to the Cleveland Foodbank's Backpacks for Kids program. We thought we might be able to raise enough money for 30 backpacks, but 50 might be a stretch.
How wrong we were.
Last Wednesday, nearly 100 kids gathered at Centerville Mills to pack 120 bags full of food for needy children in Cleveland. They learned about hunger, the importance of nutrition and why it's important to give back. It's hard to measure the impact the event made on all the young participants, but we do know that our actions will positively impact others. Some stats:
- Approximately 50 families participated
- Nearly 100 kids packed bags
- 120 bags of groceries were donated
- Each bag contained enough meals to feed one child for an entire weekend
- More than $1,500 was raised
- This translates into 780 lbs of food donated to the Cleveland Foodbank's Backpacks for Kids program
- All food will be distributed to kids in dire need right now (As Thea, our Foodbank contact said to a group of us, "These kids have nothing.")
I'm so proud of this community. So many families gathered to do something incredibly generous. Even in tough times, it's heartening to see people still digging deep and helping others. Actions like that make all the difference in the world. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated and volunteered. Last Wednesday, we made a difference.
P.S. Lest I be accused of "going soft" again. I'd like to give a HUGE HUGE HUGE INCREDIBLY HUUUUUGE SUPERSIZE WHAT THE WTF?! to whoever made it torrential downpour/hail/lightening/thunder/hurricane/tsunami/end of the world while Jen and I were loading $1,500 worth of groceries into my SUV. What up with that? That ain't love.
Playdate Fought Hunger, but the BJs Tsunami kicked our ass.
There's Jen, running to her car, holding her skirt with one hand and a a
box over her head with the other. Those are some mad skills, Jen!
2 comments:
How very impressive. ALL of it.
'Specially that part where Jen mastered the run-through-the-rain bit.
You guys are cool. I'm proud of you for organizing that impact. Very impressive!
We are very proud of what all of you have accomplished. It is always gratifying to see so many people step up to help others who are in need. A job very well done !
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