Comments on: Unique Ministries Homemakers Can Support

By: January 2013 Newsletter « sisterpalooza

January 2013 Newsletter « sisterpalooza — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:08:54 +0000

[...] the world a better place without leaving home! Stephanie at Keeper of the Home has some awesome [...]

By: Erin@TheHumbledHomemaker

Erin@TheHumbledHomemaker — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:39:43 +0000

Awesome, Nicole!!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:28:41 +0000

I started a photography biz that donates 50% of earnings to Christian Humanitarian Organizations. :)

By: Megan C

Megan C — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 23:05:50 +0000

My former pastor and his wife started a ministry called International Voice of the Orphans. Along with that, they started a website called Orphan Wares. Orphan Wares collects handmade gifts from crafters around the world who donate them. They then sell them and give 100% of the proceeds to feed and care for orphans. 100% goes to the orphans. If you are crafty or just have a heart for the orphan, please check out both Orphanwares.com and International Voice of the Orphans! http://www.orphanwares.com

By: Courtney

Courtney — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:57:45 +0000

What a great post...and exactly what I prayed about this morning! I was writing out goals for 2013 and one of them was to find ways to reach out in our church and community...this post adds the world to my list. Thanks so much to opening my eyes and heart to ministries that need our help. :)

By: Allie

Allie — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:24:16 +0000

I think focusing on local needs is very important and often over-looked. Why not adopt a widow from your church or community, or how about a single mom? Create bags of items for the homeless to give out. Collect stuffed animal for children's hospitals. Make cards for senior citizens in nursing homes. It is very important to take care of those in our own church body and community.

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:11:46 +0000

One of the most important ministries that homemakers can help with is, I feel, the ability to minister to needs right within their community and church family - things like meal support for families with hospitalizations or new babies, childcare for moms that need some help, cleaning a house for someone who needs the help, etc. The strength of communities really rests upon homemakers, because they are the ones who can help without the demands of a boss and a work schedule - and the ways that they can help are so vitally important to a community!

By: raisingcropsandbabies

raisingcropsandbabies — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:22:03 +0000

And I totally understand wanting to serve outside the home too. My husband has had to remind me that there will be a time when I (and the kids) can volunteer in person at places; but now is not the time. They are only little for such a short time and I'm seeing that now (5,4,2,and 1). The training of their hearts takes so much energy and I need to not be drained while trying to guide them!

By: raisingcropsandbabies

raisingcropsandbabies — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:19:23 +0000

My kids and I like to put together activity bags for children at our local children's hospital. Dollar Tree has a great selection of coloring books, crayons, stickers, puzzles, playdough, etc. that we buy and bag up to keep these special kids busy while receiving various treatments. In leiu of presents for birthdays, we ask friends and family to donate to a specific charity (toys for the children's hospital, needed goods to the Ronald McDonald House). Many hospitals (esp. children's) have wishlists of toys needed. What a difference it makes to get handed a toy for your young one to play with when they are waiting and getting super antsy or when inpatient! The kids really like dropping off toys and it doesn't cost a thing when it's a toy drive or a bday party request! Last year for our homeschool parties, we requested kids bring 1 canned good item, each, to donate to a church's food bank. Having them spend $69 out of their allowance was doable for all of them. I have my oldest son (my special needs kiddo) help me raise money through baking and we do a walkathon for his children's hospital, annually. Great for bonding, doing something meaningful, inspiring, and makes one count their blessings to see other families who have struggled so much. There are so many opportunities out there! We lean towards children's hospitals because of our personal history. I sew blankets to donate, but they also accept fleece blankies that older kids can make (if a sew-er lacks funds, a program called "Quilts for Kids" will send you all the makings you need to sew a quilt for a child battling an illness). Having something "homey" makes a world of difference when one is stuck inside those 4 white walls! Even our local hospital accepts knitted or crocheted infant hats for the babies (I'm sure crisis pregancy centers do as well!). Many hospitals accept good condition used books for waiting rooms and many of us have TOO many books that don't get read enough in our homes! When I was growing up, my parents took us to our local nursing home every week. We sang as a family (parents played instruments) and talked with the older people. It never cost a thing and lifted the older people's spirits and taught us to relate to those we normally wouldn't have. I'm very thankful my parents made us do this! I'm sad that we didn't do this this year, but last year we colored a bunch of Christmas pictures and I put the kids' ages on the back and one thing they love (as a conversation starter for the old folks); then we mailed them to the activities director of a nursing home for them to hang up on an older person's door who was lonely and didn't have decorations. We will do this for Valentines in Feb again! It just took our time and a stamp and was perfect for young children to do. Loved your ideas!!!