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Let’s Serve! How we can help others that are going though hard times!

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I am very excited to tell you all about this.  A few day ago on facebook I had a friend suggest I become a fan of Primary Children’s Medical Center.  I am not a very big fan of becoming fans of things on Facebook, but I knew that was one place I would love to support and become a fan of.  I can’t even tell you how grateful I am for Primary Children’s.  It is close to my heart for a number of reasons.  Gratefully I have not had to take any of my own children there, but I do have many family members and friends that have had to take their kids there and have heard so much great stuff about them and the wonderful staff they have, volunteers, and the things they give the kids to make them feel welcome, safe, loved and comforted.   This hospital does so much to bless the lives of so many children and families that unfortunately have to take their children there.

I was really excited when I went to their fan page to hear that they were starting a Monthly Service Project that ANYONE can get involved in.  I jumped right on and asked them if I could tell my blogging buddies about this and they were excited about that!  I remember when I was in Young Women’s and we made blankets for the local hospitals.  It was so fun to take them there, they were very excited to have donations to give all the children!

Lately I have been thinking a lot about service and ways that we can serve others.  I would like to teach my kids to serve others, and to enjoy doing it!  This year I am going to teach my kids that “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” {Mosiah 2:17}

Before I go on and share with you about the new service project opportunity they are doing, I asked a few of my friends and family members that have had to go there to tell me a little bit about their experience there and and why they are grateful for Primary Children’s Medical Center.  I am planning on monthly sharing with your their service project on this blog and will also share a story.  The story I wanted to start with is about my most amazing cousin Marybeth.  I think that her story is the first one I can actually recall knowing someone having to go to that hospital.  I was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with Cancer, and her battle with a malignant melanoma, one of the most deadly skin cancers. in her leg that spread through her lymphs. {she was 11}  I remember crying in my bed the night I found out, and writing a poem to her {that is still have in my journal} about how much I wanted her to live and be okay.  She is 22 years old now and is healthy and strong!  She is one of my heros and I wanted to share what she had to say to start our monthly posts off…

When I was 11 I was diagnosed with cancer. My doctor was up at Primary Children’s and it was quite a drive for me and my parents. Although my case was not terminal, there were many kids whose were. I remember there was a little box in the waiting room of the oncology unit. In that box was a bunch of loomed hats of all sizes and colors that people had done and donated to the hospital for those kids who had lost their hair due to cancer treatments. I never lost my hair and didn’t feel like I could take one. The wonderful nurses there assured me that even though I still had my hair, it was a gift for me. So I took one. I still have it to this day and each time I get it out I am reminded of the special hearts and the hands who made those hats and how many lives were blessed because of them. I know I was. You never really know how much such a simple action can mean to someone.

You really never know how much just one little something can mean to someone, especially when they are going through something hard.  This month Primary Children’s is asking for Flip Flop Kits.  They are super easy and really cheap and a great way to help others that are going though hard times!  Here how to make the kits….

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Step 1 – Purchase a pair of flip-flops. Please remember, there are children of all ages at Primary Children’s (infant to teens).
Step 2 – Purchase fabric and cut out 28 pieces of fabric, each measuring ½” by 6” (it requires 14 pieces of fabric per shoe). Ribbon can also be used.
Step 3 – Place the flip-flops and the 28 fabric strips into a plastic bag, thus creating a craft kit that the kids at Primary Children’s can use to make the finished product.
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Step 4 – Bring the kits to the information desk at Primary Children’s, located at the north end of the first floor. Or mail them to..  Primary Children’s Medical Center, ATTN: Marie Hendricksen
100 N. Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84113

I made 12 kits today with my kids.  They had such a great time helping and asked me a lot of questions about the hospital.  Michaels Craft store is selling flip flops for .40 cents right now and you can always get cute fabric for cheap!  I actually called my neighbor that sews a lot and asked her if she had any scrap fabric she wasn’t going to use, she was more than happy to help!

So hop on board with the project, It is a very inexpensive way to serve others in need.  I paid $5 dollars for all 12 flip flops.  Actually 13, I had to let my daughter make a pair.  Now she will have happy feet also.  family pics 046
I asked if they had a deadline, and she said that they have a constant stream of patients, there is almost always a need. If they get a lot, they just hold on to them and distribute as appropriate.   Next month I will post the new project!

I love this quote from Elder Uchtdorf “As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christ like love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.” Find a way to serve someone today.  It will heal our spirits and make us stronger, more receptive, happier people!!

I would love to know who is on board with this service project!  Just leave a comment letting me know!!!  You could also blog about this project and link it back to my blog so they can read about it, or to Primary Children’s Faceboook page!

Have a great weekend!

 

Comments

  1. I am totally on board with this project. I would love to give back to PCMC. They have helped our family more than once!!! Thanks for getting involved with this.