this little life of mine

Toys for Tots Drive

This evening we had our Second Annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive and Christmas Party. It was a blast! A couple weeks ago we all drew names for a gift exchange, the only difference from a regular gift-exchange is we all had different ages written next to the name of the person we drew. So rather than just buying a gift for someone at work, we got to buy a toy or somehting we think that person would've played with at the assigned age. For example, I drew the name of a co-worker, but at age 9. I bought her a Bratz(TM) Secret Diary and a Bratz(TM) jewelry making kit, because I figured they were things a nine-year-old girl would like.

After closing up, we all dug into our presents (I was 4, by the way, and got a soft Diego doll (from "Dora the Explorer") and board game; v. cool!), oohed and ahhed over everything, then placed all the now-unwrapped gifts in the Toys for Tots box. The box will be picked up early next week. Then we all went to the buffet to eat, because, hey, it's a party, and there's got to be food! It was a really great, fun event that is not only fun for all of us, but also benefits some needy kids this time of year.

Because My Mom Is A Retired School Librarian ...

The Dewey Donation System.

Found at Pamie's blog.

Helping

I know I'm probably the only online journaller/blogger on the planet who hasn't posted her thoughts about the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that hit parts of Asia, but honestly I haven't known what to say! I mean, what can you say to a death toll that rises every day? What do you say to the pictures on the news of rows and rows of bodies, and mass graves, and satellite pictures showing a seaside town in one frame and a desolate wasteland in the next? And walls with posters of missing people, and pictures and fingerprints of the dead, and people shuffling along looking at each and every picture searching for someone they know? What can you say, when you're just trying not to burst into tears with every picture you see posted on the Internet and every news report you hear on TV? And, you sit there feeling helpless and horrible because you're so damn thankful for every wonderful little tiny thing you've got?

About all you can do is donate money, and hope it is used to buy needful things, and that those things get to the people who need it the most. But, there are so many places to donate, and so many things to do, how do I choose?

The answer came this morning: The Firm where I work announced it was setting up a matching funds program wherein The Firm would match any donations we employees make for the Asian Tsunami victims. They listed five charities we could contribute to: AmeriCares, Direct Relief International, American Red Cross, Salvation Army World Service, Habitat for Humanity International . I chose The American Red Cross, mostly because I'm familiar with them through their First Aid/CPR courses and blood donation, and from a personal family experience. I decided to donate $100.00. It's not much, I know, but it's something, and it's better than just being overwhelmed by the whole thing, and doing nothing at all.