Volunteering as a family #GUCUcares #SC2018 #SharedStrength #SchoolCrashers2018

My kids and I are going to work with the Georgia United Credit Union School Crashers today.  Not sure what we'll be doing, exactly, but we'll be putting in the work, for certain.  My kids and I usually volunteer individually with whatever comes up with what we're involved in.  It's nice, though, to be able to go out as a family to work together.  Hubs has to work, so he's excused this time around.  I found out about this one as we're members of the credit union.

Do you do anything with your family to volunteer?  If you need help finding things for kids to do, check out pebbletossers.org  They're a good place to get started.  I'm not affiliated, but I have used them in the past to find opportunities for my kids.

Volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium #update

After much thought, I decided to resign from volunteering at the Aquarium.  For the last couple of years I haven't enjoyed working on the floor at the Aquarium like I did when I started.   I have enjoyed working with the Education department (a work week based commitment) and as an Ambassador (seasonal for festivals, and not always a lot of shifts).

The past couple of years I haven't been able to make the minimum required number of hours (100).  This year, they actually enforced the rule that if you don't make minimum, it's a $60 charge to re-up (includes badge, etc)*.  Given that I've been focusing on being a substitute teacher, thus taking away my time during the week to volunteer, and that on the weekends I'd rather spend the time with my family, it means I wouldn't likely make the hours this year either.  I didn't want to pay $60 this year to not make hours and have to pay $60 again next year.

So, after 12 years of volunteering it seems weird to not work on scheduling myself in to volunteer, but I'm sure I'll find something else to do with my time instead.

*When you sign up to volunteer, there is a $60 charge to cover your badge, first uniform shirt, and background check.  You are required to maintain 100 hours minimum/year to remain on "good" standing.  Otherwise, you have to pay the $60 again.  All of this is stated up front when you sign up to volunteer.

Wednesday's Wet Suit Wonders @GeorgiaAquarium #volunteer #WW

Admittedly, it was only temporary for an animal encounter..

But it looks good on me..

Just wanted to share @GeorgiaAquarium #whaleshark #mantaray #clownfish

Taken on 7/26 while I was there to volunteer for the morning.

Volunteering at the holidays @OCC #OperationChristmasChild

Sometimes it's hard to find the time to volunteer at the holidays, sometimes not so much.  A charity that my daughter and I have supported over the years is Operation Christmas Child.  While a part of American Heritage Girls we did several events where we collected items for boxes and toured one of the packaging facilities. Unfortunately, she wasn't old enough at the time to actually work in the warehouse, so instead we made boxes.  If you're looking for a fairly easy way to donate this year, let this be one of the things you consider.  As you consider it, take a look at this video to help you figure out how to pack a box.

National Collecting Week is Nov. 17th - 24th. You can find collection sites on the Samaritan's Purse web site.

Milestone Monday @GeorgiaAquarium #volunteer

Technically, I hit this milestone at the end of February. It wasn't until I went to the Aquarium for a shift recently, though, that I had the pin to show for it. For those of you that can't tell, it means I have put in 900+ volunteer hours at the Georgia Aquarium. By this time next year, I should have hit 1000.

I #volunteer as a way of life

I'm a volunteer. I don't know how not to find something or some cause to get involved with. I currently volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium and as a leader with American Heritage Girls. My daughter has me involved with FurKids and I sponsor soldiers through Adopt A US Soldier. In the past I was a Cub Scout Leader for my son, a reading buddy at his elementary school and helped in the library.

If you go back further, I worked for a time with SE Newfoundland Rescue. I worked with Collie Rescue of Metro Atlanta and with Gwinnett Animal Control. In college I was part of a group called Angel Flight. The list goes on.

I've come to the realization that if I'm not volunteering for something, then my life feels "off". It's not a conscious thing for me, but it is important enough for me to recognise it and make sure that I'm making me happy by doing it. So, later this month I may be embarking on my next project. I go for the "interview" in a couple of weeks and will have more information about it then.

PSA: @FurkidsInc Open House & Adoptables

This weekend, FurKids is having an open house today and toorrow at their shelter off of Pleasantdale Rd. You can see some of the adoptable dogs and kitties when you visit and support a great cause at the same time. $5 pays for a bbq sandwich or veggie burger, homemade veggie baked beans, cole slaw, chips and a drink. $2 gets a bowl full of home made ice cream (Strawberry or pineapple). Not to mention the baked goods! YUM!

Some of the adoptable kitties that we saw today:

Yahoo, a wonderful big girl more interested in pets than play.

Confetti, a wonderful calico very sweet.

Ezra is a handsome boy, very friendly

Mango is one of my favorites. I love to visit her when we get to go visit.

These 4, plus lots of others, are available for adoption. Our Jack Sparrow came from FurKids last year.

Adopt a US Soldier

For several years now I've been working through Adopt a US Soldier to send packages to soldiers serving over seas. I've had soldiers hurt in combat that come home as well as some that get to come home at the end of their tour of duty. Each time, I wish them well and then adopt a new soldier.

It all started ages ago when my sister was first sent over seas as part of Operation Desert Shield. She ended up serving through Desert Storm. I got into the habit of sending her (and anyone else she said could use a package) at that point. Over the years I've either had her give me names/addresses or worked through other organizations to help send packages over seas.

It's amazing the feeling you get when you get a simple "thank you" back via email or postcard from a soldier. I've gotten long letters thanking me for the gifts as well, which are a minor miracle given that these guys rarely have the time to write home, much less write to someone they don't know.

It's very easy to help make a huge difference with these guys. I get the boxes (flat rate military) for free from USPS. Then, whenever I go shopping and have an extra buck, I'll hit the discount racks for snacks, books, or toys and put it in. Once the box is full, I ship it out. Generally, it takes about a month to fill a box and it doesn't kill my wallet in the mean time.

Working with American Heritage Girls, I can also put together a craft for the group to earn either service hours or a badge. I have included those with my packages to the soldiers as well.

It's a worthwhile cause and something to check out if you're looking for a way to make a difference.

FurKids visit

My kids and I got out this afternoon and paid a visit to Furkids to see what was up and who was there. A bit of turn over, which is a good thing. Quite a few need a lot of TLC, but these caught our eye..

This is Mango (dmh), a pretty little girl. Very friendly.

Eclair (dsh), another sweet girl. I sat down and she sat with (on) me.

Cocoa Puff (dsh) was a sweetie. She was very happy to see us and have us pet her (as you can see, she LEANS into the petting).

This little one (dsh) we couldn't find the name on. My daughter sat down and he sat with (on) her. I sat down and he transferred laps. When I stood up, he went back to my daughter quite happily. Definitely a lap cat here. As always, you can find out more information on these and others at their website: http://www.furkids.org.

More Kitty Babies

My daughter and I visited yesterday (son stayed home). We played for a good while and noted some of the kitties from our last visit (Kamin, Fang) are still there, but we met some really sweet new babies too.

This was an adorable picture. My daughter was playing with kitties in one room, when the kitties in the neighboring room decided to watch. It was like watching a tennis match with the kitties in the window wanting that string mightily. :) Fang (from previous post) is the grey kitty on top in this photo.

This is Morgan. He's a sweet heart of a lap cat. He curled up in my daughter's lap and his motor box was loud enough to be heard across the room.

Marcellus is a sweet boy. Damage from his brother to his eye is permanent, but he was still determined to play with the string my daughter had.

Tigra enjoyed the attention we gave her, though I didn't try to take her down from her 'high perch'. Very sweet seeming girl.

You can find out more info on all these kitties at the furkids.org web site.

Furkids visit

My kids and I made it back out to the Furkids shelter yesterday. We didn't stay much more than an hour, but I did get some pictures of our 'favorites' of the day. The first group is from the kitten room (of course). A requirement for both of my kids is to visit here (they made this a req.).

This is Tevin. A loud purring kitten. He'll make a great lap cat (and he's playful too) My kids were surprised to see little Laura still here. She was here last time we visited as well. She was happy to curl up on my chest in my arms and be loved. But she's still a playful kitten too. I wasn't as surprised to still see Curious George there. He's very affectionate and followed us around the room.

The next three are from the adult rooms. The first is Kamin. A very vocal little girl. Her tongue stayed out while she purred loudly. I'd call her "agressively affectionate". She seeks you out and demands you pet her. The next guy is "Fang". Look at the teeth, you'll see where he gets his name. Quite content to let you come to him to pet him and remain where he is while you do. Last (but not least) is Bananas. Very playful boy, loved being petted. My kids had a lot of fun with the ribbon on a stick with him.

As always, they have lots of cats up for adoption. Every color, shape, size and age.

Operation Christmas Child

My daughter's American Heritage Girls troop sorted and donated items for Operation Christmas Child as donations in kind. The girls were able to go to the warehouse and tour it to see how the donations are put to use and the boxes checked. It's a great way to donate your time (there's only a week left) and kids 13+ can help.

4H petting zoo

My son is in 4H as a 6th grader (CloverLeaf) and my daughter is what's called a CloverBud. They volunteered to work the 4H petting zoo out at the Gwinnett County Fair one morning while there were preschool field trips going on. They were in charge of chicks and ducklings with some other student volunteers.