How to Provide Christmas Gifts to Needy Children – Without Ever Leaving Your Sandwich Generation Family!

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Yesterday, on Blog Action Day 2010, thousands of blogs wrote about the fact that not everyone has enough safe water to drink. Millions of readers were exposed to this important information. Blog Action Day is over for the year, but the water problems will go on…and on…and on. World Vision is working hard to alleviate the problem, as I wrote yesterday.

Another wonderful organization, that is also doing tremendous work to share both physical and spiritual water to those in need around the world, is Samaritan's Purse. I loved this video, as it showed all ages – from grandparents to grandchildren. As both videos remind us, the Sandwich Generation exists around the world, caregiving knows no borders, and water is a vital need from the moment we are born til the day we die! And thanks to organizations like World Vision and Samaritan's Purse, we in the Sandwich Generation can really make a difference, even when we are tied to our homes with caregiving.

Another wonderful project that Samaritan's Purse started years ago is called Operation Christmas Child. This is where people all over donate small items –  toys, toiletries, socks, etc. – in shoeboxes to be given as gifts to children who wouldn't ordinarily get any gifts, all around the world. 

It's a wonderful ministry in and of itself. I know of many senior citizens who get involved in donating the gifts, wrapping the gifts, and helping in other ways. It's also a wonderful opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren of the truth at Christmas, that it is more blessed to give than receive. I enjoyed these giving activities with my children for years. Now it's wonderful giving activities for grandparents and their grandchildren! Talk about your sweet family memories!

All of the research I've done over the past few days for these articles reminded me about this wonderful holiday project and the deadline for it is coming in just a few weeks. So when my grandsons reminded me we had a date for the Dollar Store to spend some money they had earned, I immediately thought of Operation Christmas Child. As we drove over to the Dollar Store, we listened to some early Christmas Carols and excitedly decided that we would get their toys AND an equal number of toys for children in other countries. As we talked about it, I was also able to share with them the problems in some of these areas as far as too little water. I know a lot of what we talked about was a tiny bit over their head. I also know, though, that important seeds were planted, and I'm praying God will feed and WATER those precious seeds and someday bring forth a wonderful harvest of Godly love and ministry in the hearts and hands of these precious grandkids!

Want to add to your family memories in this fun way? Just click here for more information. And don't forget your easy to use digital camera for plenty of fun photos to enjoy AND to use for future teachable moments. I grabbed my Canon Powershot digital camera and snapped away. I'll probably be sharing a couple of them down the road, right here at SandwichINK. Merry Christmas! 🙂