Do you sometimes wish you could do more to "Make a Difference?" Are you at a loss as to where to begin, what to do? Join me here for some inspiration and living examples of what you can do to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
On October 27 we once again helped fund raise for Children in Need, along with the charity Home-start Barnet. We contributed our face-painting and balloon modelling talents, to help raise about £200 at the Colindale Grahame Park Community Centre.
Funded by Children in Need, Home-start Barnet provides a safe place for youngsters to play every Thursday and Friday while their parents take part in courses such as first aid, healthy eating and emotional health and wellbeing.
I also volunteer for Homestart one day a week, by supporting a family with children under 5 years old.
You can view the complete article from the Barnet Times on-line newspaper here.
Drawing by Nico, thanks to Children's Hospital Boston
Don't think that you have to be in an exotic country half way around the world, where the "natives" walk around barefoot in order to help and make a difference. There are so many ways to reach out to others where ever you are.
Although I have lived in third world countries with primitive conditions where I did my best to make a difference, now I live in England, where I still do my bit to make a difference in the lives that cross my path. It's not impossible!
The other day I volunteered my services as a face painter for the Fun Day party for a charity that I help with. When I arrived I was surprised at how many children were there. The organizers told me that they also were surprised at how many showed up! As soon as I was set up and ready to go, I had a queue of children wanting their faces painted so I got to work.
The event was taking place on a estate in a rough and deprived part of town and I quickly realized that probably most of these kids don't often get the chance to have their faces painted due to economical reasons and it was a real high point for them to get it done. Some of them were a bit "rough" and didn't have the best of manners. But, hey, having raised 5 boys myself, and having a lot of experience taking charge over rowdy boys in the classroom, I was enjoying their spirit and enthusiasm, even if they were shaking the table :"Hey, stop shaking the table--it feels like an earthquake!"
Two brothers who left a mark on my heart came a bit late and wouldn't leave my side, afraid to miss their turn, talking every minute. Have you ever tried to paint someone while a 7 year old is tugging at your sleeve to get your attention? Finally it was his turn and he then said, "I'll let my brother go before me, since he's younger than me". When his younger brother sat down, the older sibling said to me: "I'll help you by holding his head" and he then proceeded to clamp the head of his brother in a vice like grip. It looked so funny and it actually was a bit difficult to paint the poor little guy that way, who meekly complied. Finally it was his turn and before I knew it, I was packing up and all the kids were gone.
The other organizers were asking me if I was tired as it was none stop, but I could truly say that I wasn't. Truth was, it was an inspiration to me to be able to help in this way. It wasn't only the kids that were happy, but the parents too, many of whom would never normally be able to make their kids happy in this way. My reward was not only the resultant happiness of the children after they were transformed into a butterfly or tiger, but the interaction with them and the reminder of the innocence of children and the simplicity of spirit they possess and the easy way they express love and appreciation. This expression of innocence from them was especially touching for me knowing that many of them faced difficult challenges at home and their life ahead would not be a bed of roses!
No one handed me a pay envelope at the end of the day, but a little boy with special needs (there were several of them there) handed me an envelope with his scribbles on it, as a token of his appreciation. It was enough.
I was able to volunteer at a Teddy Bear Picnic, which was organised by the Barnet Pre-School Learning Alliance.
The event was to give the families a fun day together, while the staff was able to evaluate the Two Year Old Pilot programme's success with them. It took place at Mill Hill Park and there were various free activities for the children such as face painting, story time, making their own teddys to take home and several play areas.
All the families that were invited are participating in a pilot scheme aimed at offering 165 two year olds in Barnet from financially disadvantaged backgrounds 10 hours free quality childcare per week.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Anthony Finn attended, although he declined to have his face painted when I offered it to him!
The weather fully cooperated and it was a warm sunny day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was happy to be able to donate my time and face painting skills in this way.
Recently we colaborated with the Hasmonean Girl's High School in North West London for a fund raising charity event. The school held a fair to raise funds for a school for children with special needs. There were different activities and along with members from other Family International Centres, we contributed face painting, balloon twisting and a children's magic show. Some of the special needs children were there also. I was priviliged to paint the face of one girl who wanted to be a tiger. She couldn't talk or point, but her carer kept pointing to the pictures and asking her if she wanted that one until she noticed a slight nod of her head. Afterwards, she had such a big grin on her face--it was very rewarding. Later on, while I was painting a boy, another special needs girl who was so interested in the paints, jumped into my lap, in order to get a closer look. She wasn't small and her carer had quite a time trying to get her off! Ha! It was a rewarding day and we were happy to help a good cause.
This year once again, in collaboration with The Boardwalk Centre, Edgware, London, we spent the whole day on Saturday, November 14th fundraising for Children in Need.
Here is Pierre, who twisted balloons to raise funds for the Charity. Beth (not pictured) face painted. The interest was high and we were very happy with the response!
Once again, the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust had an event at Bentley Priory in Stanmore, with the mission to raise public awareness of the situation, to allow the general public to view the historic site, and to raise funds for its restoration. We were there for the second two days, offering twisted balloons and face painting. Our son, Jerry, also worked hard to help prepare the venue for two full days before the event.
On Saturay, 12th September, alone, about 3000 people attended, of all generations. One of the events of the day were a spitfire and a hurricane plane flying overhead. Crowds cheered as they flew past. Squadron leader Erica Ferguson said: "Everyone was standing on the lawn to see the rather spine-chilling and exhilarating evernt that was the planes flying by. It was so moving to see tears in the eyes of the older generation who lived through the experiences of this time.
On Thursday and Friday, hourly tours of 40 people got to visit the historic rooms and corridors where Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding masterminded the defence of the country during the Battle of Britain.
Saturday and Sunday Dowding's office and other areas return to their former glory with an historical re-enactment. Harrow and Bushey museums had stalls demonstrating life in the two areas during the war, and there was also a map of local bomb damage during the Blitz.
Recently we spent 5 days helping Jesus House church with their annual car wash project. They wash cars for free and invite the owners inside where there are many activities. We manned the kid's corner. David taught the "STEPS Foundations of Faith", (Produced by Aurora Productions) which is a powerful personal development study curriculum to help children learn about God and His Word. This curriculum includes stories and many excellent teaching resource materials that stimulate discussion and help children discover answers to the many questions they have about God and spiritual principles. Dawn was face painting and I used the faces I painted to suggest a Bible story or concept which I told as I worked. A boy painted as a lion heard the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. Star tattoos reminded the wearers of how they will shine as stars if they are wise. To be honest, Batman was one face that stumped me and I didn't know of any Bible story that talked about bats! So I finally looked up "bat" in my Bible and sure enough it was there, under a list of animals that are not good to eat! Gloria was balloon modeling and a balloon hat became a crown of life. Balloon swords were the swords of the spirit, etc! It was a lot of fun and the time flew by! We even got some of the parents and staff to put on a balloon hat or get a design painted on their cheek or arm.
Dawn, David and two children at the Steps activity table
Gloria turned balloons into Bible objects
Painted stars were very popular
David's table was always busy
These children hold up their activities that they worked on while their parents were talking
