Disclaimer: Unfortunately, as my friend Diann says, we list in a lost and broken world. Parents, please make sure you or another responsible adult is always present if you choose to participate in any of these family activities. Keeping your children safe is always going to be a priority. Please thoroughly check out any group, business, or person that you partner with to participate in any of these family activities.
These activities are just examples of things that you and your children can do while reading The "J" Star:
Adopt someone in your neighborhood or at your church that may not have family nearby. Spend time with this person helping them around their house - maybe putting up Christmas decorations, make Christmas cards for this person, make them a sweet treat, give them a small present, etc. You can choose to do this just for the month of December or throughout the year.
Adopt residents at a local nursing home. You can call the nursing home to find out the number of residents they have. They may not be able to give out their names due to HIPPA regulations. You can make Christmas cards for each of the residents and maybe even a homemade Christmas ornament for all of them. If you are musically inclined, you can set up a time with the nursing home activities director to sing Christmas carols to all of the residents. You can choose to do this just for the month of December or throughout the year.
Make Blessing Bags to hand out to homeless people or take to shelters. These Blessing Bags can include:
a. Toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, facial or baby wipes, chapstick, etc. The items typically are packed in a gallon size ziploc baggie, so travel size items work the best.
b. Nonperishable foods such as bottled water or juice, beef jerky, granola bars, protein bars, trail mix, cheese & cracker packets, tuna packets & crackers, etc. These should be individually wrapped packets that will not require anything special to open them.
c. Other useful items could include socks, hats, hand warmers (not chargeable ones), a pocket size first aid kit, etc.
d. Google "Blessing Bags" to find out additional information about what to put in a Blessing Bag.