29 Gifts & Smiles in 29 Hours

[Ann]

Yesterday I participated in Elly Rose's event "29 Smiles in One Day".  It was beautiful!  As an extension of this exercise, I decided to try to give "29 Gifts in 29 hours" -- I think it took me a little over 29 hours -- but it was close.  Here is my list of gifts.  I should have made a list of "receives" as well -- but I am sure it would have run well over 29!  It was a great couple of days.

1. Made lunch for work crew who is doing the remodel on our house
2. Gave a speech at Toastmasters  to fill in for someone who was ill
3. Helped out at youth speech contest
4. Wrote a letter of recommendation for a young man who has done yard work for us
5. Sent a thank you card to friend for hard work on a project
6. Sent a card to a member of our Toastmasters Club who is leaving telling her how much her friendship/membership has meant to our club and wishing her all the best in her future.
7. Sent Birthday card to ex Sister In Law
8. Wrote and sent a Birthday letter to my brother
9. Donated a Birthday package to the food bank in my brother’s name
10. Made Cookies to share at a meeting
11. Gave a friend a plate of Cookies
12. Cleaned up a mess so hubby did not have to
13. Made a meal for neighbor
14. Volunteered to chair a Project to help the youth center
15. Donated extra produce from my garden to friend who fixes meals for shut ins
16. Made arrangements to donate a large box of books to veterans home
17. Picked up litter while I walked
18. Bought popcorn from a cub scout
19. Donated the popcorn to the food bank
20. Made a “Life’s Little Survival Kit” for friend whose husband is ill
21. Drove a neighbor who can no longer drive to the see the new Kohls store in town
22. Bought a book and stuffed animal from Kohls – all proceeds are donated to children’s charities
23. Donated the book and stuffed animal to fire / police department to give to children who are suffering trauma
24. Contacted two friends and set up the date to host our Baby Shower for Charity.  You can read about our experience last year at the following links http://www.29gifts.org/profiles/blogs/round-12-day-6-baby-shower-fo... http://www.29gifts.org/profiles/blogs/round-12-day-17-christmas-out... .  We are going to hold the shower in early November this year to avoid the holdiay rush.
25. Went on line and completed a store survey in order to thank and acknowledge an employee who was extremely helpful, courteous and kind.
26. Gave out lots of hugs and smiles
27. Sent some encouraging emails to online friends
28. Was polite and respectful to all the political callers over the last couple of days
29. Volunteered to help with children’s church this morning.

Blessings and Joy to all of you and thank you to Elly Rose for the wonderful challenge.

[Elly Rose Tech Support]

Ann, I just saw this, I loved your smile journey and the 29 gifts.  I have tried that a couple of times and always just came up short.  I am in awe.

[Ann]

Laura, it was actually over two days since there was a lot of sleeping time in there!

[Laura M]

Good grief--all in one day!??!!  That is amazing.

This reminds me of when I decided to give away 29 items in 1 day (donations, gifts, or recycling).  It was an effort but it was totally fun.

L

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Many ideas here to nab! You are on a mission and complete it daily! xoxo

[Ann]

Thank you all for your kind comments.  Lefty:  The birthday packages are something that my Dad started at the Foodbank he volunteered about 35 years ago  Since that time my family has carried on the tradition.  Most foodbanks are delighted to receive the packages and many do have established policies.  Here is what I include in the packages:

On each family member's birthday, we prepare a gift package consisting of a cake mix, frosting mix (or can of frosting), cake decorations, candles, a couple of boxes of pudding or jello mix and a small gift (usually a coloring book and box of color crayons or a children's book) to donate to a local food bank so that parents can provide their child with a birthday surprise. 

[Dawn wwt]

what a great idea! you've got a great memory, too...or you're a better record keeper than i am. whichever, great job and great gifts! you've given me some new ideas, too. Hugs, Dawn xoxo

[Lefty]

I'm worn out just reading!  Congrats!  Tell me more about the Birthday pkg. you donated to the food bank.  Your idea, or do they have something set up?

[Lois55 wwt]

You are a true inspiration, Ann....you gave awesome gifts! There are so many great ideas to Lift, if  i may??