Project Kengikat

Doing for Others

// October 25th, 2009 // Uncategorized

Who knew that while riding the storm I could create something so awesome? Well to be honest I knew I could. However it would take some hard work and determination. It would require me to step outside of self, outside of the box of community and really do all I could to think of others and how they might not do so well if similar circumstances came into play in their life. I had to do something I didn’t do all that often, something I knew I could do, but was hardly ever required of me. I had to become selfless and the journey has been awesome.

Saturday was the fourth Do Something Saturday visit to Shriner’s Hospital for Children and once again I had the pleasure of doing this awesome outreach with friends. That has been one of the things that stands out in my mind with the outreaches I’ve done at Shriner’s….FRIENDS. Each time I’ve done the outreach there I have been joined by my very cool collection of friends.

The group was small this time, but the joy felt and received was simply awesome. “Teddy Bear Love” was the name of this outreach and through it my organization was able to give 21 Teddy Bears of Love to the children at Shirner’s Hospital for Children.

The cool thing about this hospital is the fact that we are able to visit with and meet each child and their families. Another cool thing is how the hospital makes certain that every detail even down to guest rooms are taken care of for families who have children undergoing a procedure at the hospital. Imagine having a child that needs to have surgery that you are unable to pay for, let alone the cost of coming to a foreign country to have the surgery. Who will care for your other children while you are gone? If you can afford to come who will make sure your child hacing the surgery is taken care of?

Once again we were lead through the hospital by Francis. She is simply awesome. She was our leader the first time we can and since then I’ve made sure she will be our leader for each visit. She is helpful, friendly and she knows the families well. This makes our short visits with each child so much better and so much more rewarding for all of us

Just like before Sandra was a super help with her translating so that people were comfortable with us and making sure that the teddy bear they selected was something they truly wanted. Each child and their family member were allowed to look through all the bags and pick the bag with the stuffed animal that was right for them. It was so cool to see the looks and smiles as well as see the eyes just light up on the faces on the kids and their families.

Before I knew it our visit was over and we were saying our goodbyes to the staff and to Francis and already looking forward and making plans to return possible in December. While talking about a date to come back we found out that all four of us are Sanitarians and our birthdays are very close to each others.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to Niambi and Sandra who both took time from the Saturday to help me be of service to children and families through my Do Something Saturday. Both of you could have done other things and even spent your time helping larger, organizations, but you took the time to seek out my organization and help me with my very small and humble efforts to “be of service” to those who many times are only thought of around Thanksgiving and Christmas and I want you both to know how very much I appreciate you for this.

Each time either of you reaches out to say you are going to volunteer to help me I never have to think twice about it, I know it is already done and I will not have to remind either of you. In fact each time, it is the both of you who call to remind me that you have already got items and already have the date set and always ask if there is anything else you can help with. This makes what I do such much more enjoyable and way less stressing because with you both I know what you have said you would do is taken care of.

The next outreach to Shriner’s Hospital for Children will take place in December in celebration of four very special people celebrating birthday’s~Niambi, Sandra, Francis and me.

Pictures from this awesome event can been seen online on my Flickr photo stream by clicking the on the photo on the main blog page. There is also a video of the event that can been seen on my youtube page by clicking on the video link on the main blog page as well.