Merry Christmas

Well, the Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run/Walk is over.  It was a huge success due to the overwhelming support of the community, the sponsors and the volunteers that came together to make it happen.  There's a wonderful article (one of many) published in the December 9 issue of the Port Orchard Independent.  Our totals currently stand at 1,522 participants and $48,178 raised.  Not bad for a first-year event!

DJ Scott Fijolek was a BIG hit as emcee.  Thanks, Scott!

Trina, Vanessa, J.B. and I had a great time at the MoonDogs, Too Breakfast with Santa!

Ways to Give Back

There are so many ways to help but here are just a few ideas during the Christmas season:

*  I attend a wonderful networking group in Silverdale called Friends of Facebook.  They are planning a meal for 200 homeless teens at Coffee Oasis on Christmas Eve.  They are in need of stockings to fill (Dollar Tree has them for.......that's right.....$1), candy for the stockings and any other small items you might want to give.

Just a few of my friends from our Friends of Facebook group.

*  MoonDogs, Too is having their annual Christmas Dinner for $1.  Proceeds benefit the South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank.  You can help by stopping by and grabbing a bite to eat or by dropping off food/monetary donations for the food bank.

A few of the volunteers working the buffet from the MoonDogs, Too Thanksgiving Dinner for $1. 

*  The county's emergency cold-weather shelter is in need of volunteers.  They recently had to close because they were ONE volunteer short!  Could YOU be the one that keeps them open?  

*  Don't forget our local small businesses.  When planning your shopping list...SHOP SK FIRST!

Merry Christmas!

Gratitude

Gratitude

The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

Today I was grateful for the sun

the friends

the time

Yesterday's gratitude is in a song

in my heart

and never gone

Tomorrow's gratitude is yet to come

will be bright

will be felt

will be

Show your gratitude everyday

......and then there's YOU!

That's right. YOU!!  How can we help others when we aren't helping ourselves? So, this "Just 5 Minutes" is all about taking care of YOU.  Here are a few things to consider:

1.  Just do it!
      ~ Don't make excuses.

2.  Indulge in something.
      ~ Mine would be Carter's Chocolates.

3.  Relax with a cup of tea.
      ~ Orange spice is my favorite!

4.  Reconnect with an old friend.
      ~ Pick up the phone!!

5.  Sing a song!
      ~ I LOVE to sing!

6.  Clean your closet.
      ~ Hehehehehe.....I always feel better when things are clean and organized!

7.  Dance!
      ~ I like to do the "Elaine" dance when noone is looking...hehehehehe......

8.  Read.
      ~ Even if it's just a few pages a day.  Carry a book with you wherever you go so you can take advantage of those "waiting" times.

9.  Wear Sunday's panties on Tuesday.
      ~ That's right!  Why save that special "Sunday" outfit?  Wear it to the store on Tuesday.  You'll be glad you did!  Sometimes it makes you feel good when you look good.

10. Sit outside.  Breathe the fresh air.  Enjoy your surroundings.


Do what makes you HAPPY.  Do what makes you SMILE.  Do it because you CAN.

"To Do" List

Do you have one?  I do!!  I don't think I would ever get anything accomplished without one.  More than likely, yours looks something like this:

1.  go by bank
2.  pick up dry cleaning
3.  make car payment
4.  take back library books
5.  make dentist appt

Here's what I think it should look like:

1.  give back - promote local charity events on FB
2.  give back - take donations to 1st Christian Church (Backpacks for Kids)
3.  go by bank
4.  etc.....

That's right!  I think we should begin each day by thinking about and planning our way of "giving back".  OR...maybe you make your "to do" list at night for the next day.

Be CREATIVE!  Have FUN!  Make it a FAMILY experience!

"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible,

 but also for what we do not do." ~ 

Moliere

Roll Your Change - Feed A Family

We all have one.  Right?  That jar full of change.  Maybe you're saving it for a rainy day. Maybe you're planning on buying yourself something special.  I say....ROLL it and FEED a family!

Did you know that through the South Kitsap Helpline food bank in 2010, more than 3,218 local children, adults and seniors received meals for Thanksgiving?  Another 3,765 received meals for Christmas.

AND.....maybe, just maybe, you'll have enough to feed MORE than one!

Pen, pencil, notecards & stamps!

Well, did you choose a letter writing day?  Today is mine.  In preparation, I purchased a pen/pencil set, pretty notecards and stamps.  While shopping for these items, I found that stationary/notecards can be quite costly!  Hallmark and Barnes and Noble have wonderful selections.  The Dollar Tree has notecards, for those that enjoy finding a great bargain.  And of course, for those who are crafty, you can always make your own!

Now, for the "Just 5 Minutes" idea.  In my last video blog, I introduced you to Gini Lee Kalkwarf and all the wonderful things she does for her son and the other soldiers in the 172nd Blackhawks.  She needs YOUR help. She would like 100 handmade cards by October 20th to send to the soldiers for Thanksgiving.  She would also like 100 handmade cards by October 31st to send to the soldiers for Christmas.  Everything helps.  Even if you or your child just made one card or one picture, what a wonderful thing it would be for that one soldier that would receive it!

Need a little inspiration for your cards for the soldiers?  Here are a few pictures.

If you decide to make cards for the soldiers, please feel free to email me sheilacline7@gmail.com.  I will gladly pass along anything you make to Gini Lee, or give you her info. Thank you!

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

I have a very old recipe card in my cookbook that I could easily replace with a typed copy or just simply save it on my computer…..but I don’t.  Why?  It was written by my grandma, my Nannie.  I haven’t actually used the recipe in years.  But I come across it often and enjoy the memories it evokes when I see it.  You see, it’s the handwriting that evokes the memory.  Not the recipe itself. 

Nannie once told me that it meant more to her to receive a handwritten letter or card from someone than a phone call.   It takes much more time and effort to write a letter than to pick up the phone.  These days with email, Facebook, texting and everyone’s busy schedules, who has time to write?  I posted that question on Facebook and received a few responses of “I do”.

I truly believe that letter writing is a lost art.  I don’t even send Christmas cards anymore.  I try to keep in touch with far away friends on Facebook.   It’s just not the same.  I think Nannie would be very disappointed in me.  So, this is something I want to change. 

I’ve decided that Sunday night will be my night to sit down and write someone (yes, Mama, I’ll include you) a letter or note. I encourage you to pick a night to make your “letter-writing” night.  Who knows!  Maybe we’ll start a new trend, the “Letter-Writing Club”!

I hope you enjoy the video I’ve put together.  Please feel free to leave a comment!  But please be nice....hehehe....I did all the editing myself.  Even put in a little music.  A special "thank you" to my mom, Joanie and Gini Lee for sharing their thoughts, their feelings and their love.  Enjoy! 


P.S. The video is viewed best on youtube.

I love Fall!!

Fall is my favorite season!  

Trips to the pumpkin patch, homemade applesauce, cider, piles of leaves & the first fire in the fireplace!  And of course......FOOTBALL!!

What a better way to celebrate Fall than a Harvest Hootenanny?  That's right!  Stop by Colello's Farm Stand Produce on Saturday, October 15 for a day full of fun!  You can sample products from local vendors and listen to live music.  The kids can hunt for candy in hay, jump in a bounce house or pick out their favorite pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.  Kickin' it for Kinsey will be there promoting the Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run/Walk as well as selling baked goods.  So stop on by!  Who knows?  Maybe you could lend a hand!

Love to bake?  Carter's Chocolates is looking for donations of baked goods for their Grand Opening on Saturday, October 8.  All proceeds from the bake sale will go to the South Kitsap Helpline.  They will also have cobbler and ice cream (for a small donation).  For more information or to donate, call Matt 876-4424.

South Kitsap Helpline

I am so excited about my first "Just 5 Minutes" video!  Watch and listen closely for all the different ways you can help the South Kitsap Helpline in "Just 5 Minutes".  Special thanks to Jennifer Hardison for taking the time out of her busy day to be my first featured non-profit. Thanks also to my daughter, Kiera, for being my video editor!!

Giving Back

                                    


Why volunteer?  Well, the obvious answer is, "to help others" or "to give back".  Aren't we really helping ourselves in the process?  I think so.  Volunteering makes you feel good, it makes your inner light shine a little brighter, it puts a lift in your step and a song in your heart.  It makes you feel like you're making a difference.

What's even better?  Volunteering with a friend or a group.  So grab your BFF, your book club or your networking group and brainstorm ways that YOU can make a difference!

These days, Facebook is a great place to find ways to volunteer.  Many non-profit organizations post upcoming events and ways that the community can help.  A quick search can result in MANY volunteer opportunities!  The United Way of Kitsap County also has a list of partner agencies that need help.

The "Just 5 Minutes" idea for this post?  Op4G - A market research company where the surveys you take means money for the non-profit of YOUR choice!  I encourage you to check it out.  There is a long list of non-profits, including the Arthritis Foundation Great West Region.



"There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up" - Bernard Meltzer

Less than 5 Minutes!

Well, you KNEW it was coming!  That's right!  Today's "Just 5 Minutes" activity (drum roll please) - REGISTER for the Port Orchard Jingle Bell Run/Walk.  Your $20 registration fee includes an event shirt and the satisfaction of knowing that YOU are doing something to MAKE ARTHRITIS UNACCEPTABLE!

For more information,  please visit our website www.portorchardjinglebellrun.org.  

I thank you, Kinsey thanks you, the 300,000 children affected by arthritis thank you as well.

How do you choose?

How do you choose?  There are so many worthy causes, organizations, individuals and families that need help.  Maybe you choose by what is needed: time, item/service or money.  Maybe you choose by what "hits close to home".  Or maybe your schedule dictates how you choose.   


Saturday, September 17, there is a fundraiser for a family in need.  Their son was seriously injured in a bicycle accident and has been hospitalized for several weeks.  As you can imagine, the medical bills are starting to pile up.  For more information, please visit their blog at  nolan-harness.blogspot.com.  They also have an event posted on Facebook - Auction for Hope.


Even environmental groups need help.  The Petersen Farm Fall Fair is Sunday, September 18.  Proceeds from the Fair support conservation of Petersen Farm and the Kitsap Community Food Co-op.


Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him -
Albert Schweitzer

Community that Cares!

We live in a community that truly cares!  The South Kitsap Helpline is in need and the community is trying to help.  If you shopped at Fred Meyer over the weekend, you probably saw Velma or one of their volunteers selling raffle tickets for a $500 gift card to Fred Meyer.  Do you know what the winner did?  They turned around and gave it right back!  An act of kindness that took little thought and little time!


On September 19, SK Helpline is having a fundraiser at Pizza Factory.  Give yourself the night off from cooking and stop by!

TODAY - Carter's Chocolates is offering 50% off their smores' bars to anyone that brings in canned goods for the SK Helpline.  What a great way to TAKE 5!!

Great ways to GIVE BACK to an organization that gives SO MUCH to our community!

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  ~Cynthia Ozick

What is a "Volunteer"?

The dictionary defines the word volunteer as "a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking" or "a person who performs a service willingly and without pay".  It can also mean to "give or bestow".  For me, the word "volunteer" means simply "taking the time to think of others".  We get so caught up in our everyday lives that it is easy to think of no one but ourselves. We've all done it. I think we just need a little reminder at times.

The name of my blog is, "Just 5 Minutes".  Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone were to STOP for "Just 5 Minutes" and think of the needs of others?  Do you need to rearrange your schedule to do that?  No.  Everyone has 5 minutes.  Everyone.  In the shower, in the car, when you're on hold, when you're in line at the toll booth, AND even longer if you're sitting on the ferry!

Sometimes your 5 minutes will lead to simply "providing a service or undertaking" for someone in need.  Sometimes your 5 minutes may require simply spending time with someone.  And yes, sometimes your 5 minutes may lead to spending money in order to lighten someone's load.  Maybe your 5 minutes will lead to an action that ONLY requires literally 5 minutes of your time!

I was at a committee meeting (of volunteers) recently for a local event and someone made the comment, "I hope we don't have to work as hard as we did year before last".  Can a volunteer, someone thinking of others, someone lightening the load of someone else, someone walking for someone that can't,  REALLY work too hard?  I think not!  I hope you find this blog useful.  I hope it helps you to remember to stop and take "Just 5 Minutes" for someone else.

Lighten the load.  Be kind.  Shine the light.  BE the difference in someone's life.


Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not.  ~Dr. Seuss

My New Blog

I've been thinking about starting this blog for quite some time and decided today was the day!  It's a simple blog, really.  A blog about what YOU can do in "Just 5 Minutes" to help someone else.  Yes, believe it or not, there are things that you can do in five minutes!

What prompted this blog?  My love for volunteering and the need to encourage others to do the same.  I think that too many people feel that they can't volunteer because it either a) takes too much time or b) is going to cost them money.  When in fact, neither is true.  I hope to prove that with this blog!

I encourage you to follow along and hope that you will find the information useful.  Who knows?  Maybe it will inspire you to "take 5" for someone.  I hope so!