Blog Post #1
Co-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
I was just having a conversation with some family about this. We were talking about what we would do if we won the lottery. In the times that we are living in today, there are so many needy groups and charities out there. It would be a wonderful thing to have the money to give away to the many charities out there, but it would also be a very daunting task to have to decide who and what to give to.
ReplyDeleteI do not have the money to give away, but I give of my time and talents; I think many of us do. Outside of school I am a 4-H Leader and Secretary of the Friends of Miner County 4-H, I help organize the annual Miner County Feeder Calf Show, I serve on the Howard School Board as well as play piano/organ for our church. I give financially as much as I can to many groups, as well as the groups I am actively involved in, but for a small town we need people to serve. I always go back to the idea of "It takes a village." There are many people who are willing to give the money, but do not give their time to serve. That is how I give, I serve; it may be serving at a funeral at the church, doing dishes after Advent service, or putting together 4-H Christmas activity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this idea. I think many teachers use their time and available resources as a way to give back. In small districts that I have seen, they do exactly what you are describing with people helping out by serving in different aspects.
DeleteJohn King
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I do not have a large surplus to give away, but we do volunteer quite a bit within the extended family and community. We try to respond to and support others within our community in times of need. In the school, programs and kids are always trying to fund raise for different things from helping others in need to educational opportunities. We try to be generous to most things.
Although I do not have monetary gifts to give, I try to give my time. I have coached, stayed after school to help other kids, been part of events in my school and community and helped with fundraisers. I love the "pay it forward Wednesday" and would like to incorporate something in my classroom as a positive example for my students.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see myself going on a giving spree. Giving is one of my favorite things to ever do! I can give by doing community service- especially for my school. Such as listening to ELD students practice reading aloud in the library, cheering on sports teams and helping the secretarial staff after school hours. Right now our secretarial office needs help organizing and I can help do that!
ReplyDeleteI recently spent about $40 on a pack of pin, pen and bookmark and handed them out personally to staff. It was nice to be able to connect with staff that I don't see as often and it helped them to know that they are seen and cared for. I also working on giving little birthday gifts as well. I have organized an ESP/custodial get together in the past where we could all hang out, eat and play some games. When I am working at the high school activities (I work in elementary), if I see past students come in or play, I make sure to connect with them. It is so cool to see that giving sprees do not have to cost anything :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be so fun to bless others with a monetary gift when they need it most! I do bless others on a regular basis with small treats when they come to mind. Looking outward instead of always inward helps. We can see those around us that just need to be seen. Being able to buy a coffee, their favorite snack, or even a trip to get their nails done goes a long way. Relationships are so important to me and being aware of the needs of others lends itself to this very thing. It can be a daily mindset and way of living.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this idea and wish I could do it nonstop without even thinking twice about it. At this point, we like to give mostly around Christmas time helping support the local Angel Trees in the best way with getting as many tags as financially possible. We also enjoy sending money to different organizations like Children's Miracle Network, The Shriner's, and The Ronald McDonal House organizations. There are also little things we do from paying it forward for someone getting a coffee behind us, to helping support our nephew and nieces with their fundraising through school and sports programs. We try each year to continuously find different organizations to donate and support. We have started with these few as they are close to our heart and have personally helped people in our families. I like to be able to help our community locally and then also some bigger organizations that are out there.
ReplyDeleteFor me, giving would look more like showing up consistently for the students and people in my life. I can give my time and attention. I allow kids to come in the mornings 45 mins before school starts for extra help. I also give up my lunch to work with them. I go to their sporting events after school. I give encouragement to students who may not always receive that elsewhere. I mentor new teachers and share resources and ideas. For my family, I am there whenever or wherever anyone needs me.
ReplyDeleteMy husband always says that if I won the lottery, I would give it all away. Giving is my love language, whether that be through material items, time, support, etc. I love to give little gifts to our teachers, lunch ladies, administration, and students. I do back-to-school bags, christmas gifts, valentines, teacher/staff appreciation. I love to see how it makes them feel, gives them a boost, a smile, a thought of knowing they are appreciated. I also spend my day giving to staff and students with all the little things I do in our school. Even though my own kids are graduated, I still give my time to prom, class trip, post-graduation party, and many other activities that are in need of volunteers. I volunteer for my church and help with events at my dad's assisted living facility. I'm on call with my family wherever and whenever they need me. I love to be able to give. It's what puts a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the money to do so, absolutely! My husband & I always talk hypothetically about 'if' we would ever win the lottery, how would be spend/save/donate the money out. First we would take care of our 3 children's college funds (2 of my children are currently in college). Then, we would pay off our parents bills/mortgages. We would establish ourselves as well, making sure we have enough to live on & then donate to various local charities in need. We do service projects every year with my children through church & after every time, they comment on how good they feel afterwards. That is the exact feeling I want them walking away from serving others and feeling glad/happy/joyful that they were able to give back with a few hours of their donated time. You see, it doesn't have to be money. It is also a great feeling seeing that smile on someone's face after you've helped them (in any capacity). I think sometimes we forget, just how lucky we are.
ReplyDeleteCo-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteYES!!! This would be a dream!! I LOVE to give things away and help others and if I had endless money, it would be amazing! I would help people in need, give to my church and missions, give to anything and everything that had meaning to me. Helping others doesn't just help them, but it brings joy to me. For now, I can give what I am financially able to give and also give of my time and talents. I give money to my church, missions, my daughter works for Navigators on the UNL campus and I support that ministry, and the Abbott House here in Mitchell. I give of my time by volunteering for multiple different things and also organizing different events to raise money for things. I can bring baked goods to people and businesses to brighten their day. If I see a need, I like to help, no matter what that need might be.
Most recently we have given to every fundraising effort to benefit one of our daughter's friends who is going through cancer. When an opportunity comes up, we don't question we just give or participate. I wish we could give more, but it feels good to offer support through the various fundraisers.
ReplyDeleteIf someone gave me money to gift I would first help some of the families I am fortunate to work with and then choose someone, like Laurie, who is always supporting, giving, etc and surprise them with something special.
Right now, my mother and I sponsor a 2 year child from Tanzania. The donation that we give every month support his education and his health. I would love to do more of this in the future when my husband and I are able to. Every Christmas, my sister and I do an angel tree gift and get a Christmas gift for children in need around the Sioux Falls area. When I have things that I need to get rid of such as clothes or decorations, I donate them to the Bishop Dudley house which families and people in need receive it. I would also like to donate more of my time at the banquet here in Sioux Falls.
ReplyDeleteRecently, we had a young girl from our H.S battling cancer. It's amazing how a community can come together to support a family when they are struggling. Like many others, I wish we could give to make it all go away, but instead our community worked together to organize many different fundraisers. My daughter bakes & decorates cookies, so she baked and decorated over 400 cookies and sold them at a home football game. We sold out before kickoff! We then donated all the proceeds back to the family.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I 'give' is my time. I love to volunteer and help out where I can. Whether it be keeping book at a basketball game or donating items for the H.S Semester Test hot cocoa bar, I am always helping when/where I can.
We were just talking about this the other night as our oldest works full time at a local camp. We were able to donate to a recent fundraiser and he was talking about how someone had donated a six-figure donation. How fun would that be?!?! Our first place to support would be that camp as they do amazing things for Angel Tree children. We currently support some students through Compassion and would send a healthy donation there as they help families around the world.
ReplyDeleteWhile not everybody has $100,000 to give away, all of us can give to our community and our neighbors. I think giving our time is one of the most valuable things we can do. The best teachers that I work with form connections, often time out of school hours. They help coach or are advisors to fine arts programs or other extracurricular activities. They help with school fundraisers, referee ball games, operate the clock at games or even just attend extra school events. We can also volunteer to do work in our communities. Giving money directly is generous but doesn't solve the problem that made the recipient need money in the first place. Helping people form connections, learn new skills and improve their opportunities can put the person in a position to find meaningful opportunities and careers of their own.
ReplyDeleteAs a librarian, I do not have $100,000 to give away, but what I do have to give are stories, knowledge, time, and literacy skills — which are all resources that change lives long after the moment of giving. Books open doors to imagination, education, and confidence, and literacy skills help students fully participate in school, work, and community life. Small acts, like sharing a booktalk with a student, teaching a class how to evaluate a digital resource or helping a teen mom learn about the importance of early childhood literacy, create lasting personal and community impact. As a librarian, I understand that access to reading is equity. Not everyone owns books, has strong reading support at home, or feels confident using information. What I can and do give my community is access and guidance which in turn inspires self-confidence. Giving away books is really about giving away possibility. A single book can spark curiosity, improve literacy, strengthen families, and inspire future learning. When I share literacy skills alongside books, I give people tools they can use forever. This is my daily giveaway to my students and their families. (If I did have $100,000 to give away though, I would partner with our Head Start and local preschools to help area families in need create and build home libraries for their children).
ReplyDeleteWhile I may not have money to give away, I can still go on a giving spree in meaningful ways. I can give my time, positivity, knowledge, feedback, and kindness to others. In my classroom, this might look like spending extra time helping a student who is struggling, encouraging students with positive words, and sharing helpful feedback to support their growth. I can also share knowledge and resources with colleagues and families to help support student learning at school and at home.
ReplyDeleteOutside of the classroom, I can give kindness through small actions such as helping others, listening, and offering encouragement. These simple acts of giving can make a big difference and help create a more supportive and positive community.
Although I do not have the money to give away, there are many other things as educators that we can do to "give back" to others. As a teacher I constantly am talking about kindness and the small acts of kindness we can do for others each and every day. In my classroom we have done different crafts for the local nursing home residents for the different holidays (Christmas wreath sun-catchers, valentine's pictures, etc.). We also have gone to that local nursing home to play games and just chat with some of the residents there. This really helps the students make connections with those in our community and helps them understand how a small act of kindness can make a huge difference in someone's day. Connection is huge for me as an educator. If I do not have the trust and connections with my students, we will both struggle throughout the school year. I pour all I can into my students each and every day and let them know that I am here for them, especially in my district where many kids need that trusted adult in their lives as they do not have that at home. Offering kids a hug out the door everyday and letting them know a new day lies ahead for them reminds them that someone does care deeply about them and wants them to be successful.
ReplyDeletePersonally outside of the classroom, I have done Angel Trees during the holiday season as well as donating clothing items to our local organizations.
If I had the money I would love to go on a giving spree. There are so many good causes and things to give money to. I would love to give money to underfunded schools, and to rare diseases research. Unfortunately, I don't have a large sum of money to give away. What I can give away is my time and talents. Through the years I have taught Sunday School, volunteered to be part of the connect for kids club, and our school's kindness club. I also feel I have kindness to offer others. This just comes from offering a listening ear and being there to encourage another teachers or students. As I have seen in my own classroom, while money is great you don't always need it to make a difference. Spending time with someone, putting effort into helping another can truly make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go on a monetary giving spree too, but don't have the proper funds for that. I would love to give bunches of money to children's organizations and animal funds, but since I can't do that, I would have to give time and talent, instead. Volunteering and helping out friends and family have been my way of giving. I also enjoy doing this, so it doesn't seem labor intense. I enjoy spending time with people helping out. My grandkids seem to take center stage these days with my time, but also enjoy volunteering for others!
ReplyDeleteCo-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteI cannot see myself going on a giving spree. It seems difficult to come up with enough to justify such a spree. I am also not someone who would realistically give away everything I just won on a show. I could see regifting a few items that I had or wasn't interested in but overall, I would likely keep most of the gifts for myself and my family. We do, however, give to those in need in our own community. We frequently donate to local charities, causes and GoFundMe fundraisers. We are much more likely top help those we know over a giving spree.
Like most teachers, we don't get into it for the money, so I don't have the money to pay it forward. The biggest and sometimes the most important things to pay it forward don't cost anything. In my classroom, we talk a lot about kindness and ways we can spread kindness. I try my best to spread kindness and model ways to sprinkle kindness everywhere. We try to talk about how these simple things can have a ripple effect and one little smile or holding the door can make an impact on someone's day.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I can give to others is my time. Time to be present, to listen, to care, to find ways to interact and connect with everyone.
Along with other comments on this post, I do not have the extra funds to do those types of giveaways. However, I do give lots of my time to help the students and school community. I was a coach for both basketball and volleyball for many years. I am not only shaping the minds of my 4th graders, but middle school and high school aged students as well. I also volunteer to help run student council in my school. There are a lot of opportunities to pay it forward when working with this group of students and it can be very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteCo-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteBoth my husband and I are educators, so we really don't have the money to give away. However, I think about all the toys my kids have. Many are handed down from their cousins, but my kids have an excessive amount of toys. With spring cleaning just around the corner, I actually mentioned to my husband last week that we really need to go through the toys and give some away. I think it would be really good to have our kids help us and teach them the importance of giving and why we give to others. We have a three day weekend coming up, so I'm really hoping we can get the ball rolling on this!
I don’t have a lot of money to giveaway but I have donated a lot of clothes and toys to our Nearly New store in Aberdeen. I also ref a lot of kids basketball games and I donated my pay back to the basketball program.
ReplyDeleteCo-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteI wish I did have all the money in the world to give away. However, that is not the case, we are scraping by like many other families. I do give back in several other ways. I use the talents God has given me to give back. I use the gift of teaching and volunteer to teach at church when I can. I love on all the kids in our school, not just my current students. We give back by picking kids from the angel tree and shopping for them as a family. Those are just a few of the ways we give back but when we give it feels just as good to us as I am sure the receiving members. I am very blessed and grateful.
Co-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go on a giving spree. I work at a low SES school and would love to give to my students and their families, but since I don't have that money I could offer and give my support in other ways such as donating and clothes, food, or school supplies to those in needs, show up to my students events whether that is sports or music, share resources with my families, volunteer at places like at any school event, be a listening ear to my students when they need time to talk about something, or nomiating my students for programs such as Shop With a Cop (at Christmas time students shop with a cop and pick out presents) or Sleep in Heavenly Peace Iowa (a program where beds are donated to those in need).
Like most of the responses in this blog, I also don't have the money to go on a money giving spree but I would give time and knowledge for someone who needed it. I could donate things: toys, clothing, material things that people need to survive.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see the value in a "giving spree" that focuses more on sharing time and knowledge rather than just money. For me, it would be about finding small, grounded ways to help students feel a bit more capable and a little less overwhelmed by everything on their plates. I think the best thing I can give is the knowledge and the tools to handle whatever comes next.
ReplyDeleteWhile going on a monetary giving spree would be difficult right now, I could find ways to gift my time and skills set to others. There are many opportunities for me to volunteer my time within my community. I could try to set a goal to volunteer a certain amount of hours or days in a month. There are also many vacant youth coaching positions in my area, with my experience and knowledge that is another area that I could give back to others around me.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the funds, I would like to travel the world and teach under privileged a trade, such as welding, sewing, and etc. I would guide them, encourage them, and support them so they could use that trade to financially support themselves and their families.
ReplyDeleteI would give money to Cornerstone Rescue Mission in Rapid City. I like what they are doing. I would love to walk into a hospital business office and pay off a bunch of peoples bills. Just the thought of sick people having that bill of their backs makes me smile. I know several people who need cars. I would love to be able to give them decent cars.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I try to give monetary donations to various programs throughout the year and we do it anonymously. We love to have a little thing between each other that we know and others do not. It feels good to do random acts without the recipients knowing and are hopeful that we make a difference. We also try to volunteer with our children to do various acts of kindness as well to show- do onto others as you would want done for you. Anyways, back to the original question, what would be on my spending spree of give-ness; I would love to first, donate to families who have the burden of medical bills and school lunch overdrafts. I have so much empathy for the hearts of these parents. I would love to provide a multitude of gifts to the giving tree during the holiday season. I would also love to provide countless meals to anyone that is struggling. I would be amazing to help children who are in foster care- who do not have any one person to rely on. Would love to help become support so I would definitely donate to Boys and Girls clubs or Big
ReplyDeleteBrother/ Big Sister programs. The options are truly endless. However, I do find myself gravitating to children and struggling families.
Co-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteWe are at the phase of life where we're starting to outgrow a lot of baby-toddler clothes, toys, gear, etc. I've been doing my best to give to friends that could use it before giving to Goodwill. We also try to give our time/money by volunteering at church, making meals for families in need, supporting small businesses. etc. As we grow older and become more and more financially stable, it is important to me to teach my children the value in giving and volunteering as much as we can.
I love to give. Sometimes it shows up in donations to our PBIS store or classroom in tangible items, but sometimes it shows up in quality time like lunch in classroom or extra recess where I am actively engaged. Similar to what they did in the book, I asked my students in the classroom what they would like for a giveaway for a specific task. They told me kickballs, basketballs and water bottles. I knew that many of them also enjoy lunch in the classroom with friends and myself. Surprisingly, that was the first and most prize picked. I am always willing to give up my time to build those connections. I am a very organized person, so I like to get things done and offer it to other adults I work with/share to save time and help them. We donate items to our church, make meals when we can and volunteer as needed. Time, energy and skills are the easiest things for me to donate.
ReplyDeleteEven though I may not be in the time of my life to give away money, I give connections and my time every day all day to my students in my classroom. I greet every student at the door every morning, I learn about all their different interests, and making sure they feel seen and heard. I also give try and give my students as much positive attention as I can in case they are not getting it at home. Reminding them to have confidence in themselves and that they can do it.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the financial resources like we all would love to have, I would love to give to a cause very close to my family and I, which would be the Ronald McDonald House. I would love to give everything I have to them. They do more for families in a critical time than most people would realize.
Yes, although I wouldn't have tons of money to give, for me the most meaningful things I can give is consistent time, attention, and intentional connection with students and athletes. It would focus on everyday presence and relationships rather than material things.
ReplyDeleteIn the classroom, I would make a point to greet every student by name at the door each day so they feel recognized right away. I would also try to give more specific, positive feedback throughout the week, especially to students who don’t always get noticed. When possible, I would build in chances for students to revise or redo work so the focus stays on learning and growth instead of just completion.
As a coach, I would carry the same approach by recognizing effort as much as performance and making sure each athlete feels seen on a regular basis. I would also make an effort to acknowledge important personal details like birthdays or significant family dates so athletes feel known beyond their role on the team. Overall, my version of a giving spree would be about being more intentional in everyday interactions, using consistency, presence, and small moments to help students and athletes feel valued and connected.
I love to give. If I had unlimited resources and could go on a 10-month giving spree, I believe it would have a huge impact on my life as well as my family’s. Giving is a powerful way to shift from being a passive participant in life to an active contributor to someone else’s well-being. It creates a sense of joy and happiness. Helping others feels like a calling and is one of the best things we can do.
ReplyDeleteI would love to give more to our church, our school, and to people in need. Wherever there is a need is where giving should happen—in a thoughtful and modest way. I wouldn’t want to give out of a “look at me” mindset. Instead, I would want to give anonymously, simply to be a help in any way I can. Seeing others happy brings so much joy.
Giving also creates connection and can inspire others to give as well. We all strive for connection, and that is something we can freely offer. Finding joy in giving, and recognizing the connection it builds, is a meaningful way to see growth in both yourself and others
I wish I had more money to give to different resources. There are so many ways that people can give. I do try and give of my time. I contribute at the school where I work with helping tutoring in the evenings for the high school age boys as they are taking classes online to get their degrees. I also like to help at our church. Our school as started a mentoring program for new teachers. This year I worked with 2 new 5th grade teachers. We met weekly to keep in touch with things they may need help with and just to see how things are going in the classroom. I feel I learned a lot from both of them also as they had some new fresh ideas.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Berletic
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest thing I could offer right now is my time. I’m not in a place where I can give a lot financially or donate expensive items, but I do understand the value of showing up and being present for others. To me, a giving spree doesn’t have to be about money—it can be about consistency and intention.
If I were to go on a giving spree, I would focus on volunteering in ways that fit into my daily life. This could look like helping at a local school, volunteering at community events, or offering support to families who need an extra hand. Even small things like babysitting for a few hours, helping someone run errands, or simply being available to listen can make a difference.
I would also want to be more intentional about looking for opportunities to help rather than waiting for them to come to me. That might mean setting aside a certain amount of time each week specifically for giving back. I think sometimes we underestimate how impactful our time can be, especially when it’s given consistently.
While I may not be able to give in the same way Laurie MacIntosh and her husband did, I do believe that giving doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is your time and willingness to show up for others.
Yes! I would definitely go on a giving spree! While I don't have money to give, I do have a variety of other ways to give. I can give my time to helping others, whether it's volunteering my time to help friends / family or volunteering to help at other organizations. I can also be available to listen, offer support, or simply a shoulder to lean on. I think the most valuable thing we have to offer is our time, especially when it is meaningful and consistent.
ReplyDeleteI can give my talents and time. I do not have that much extra money, but I can show my students that I care and want to connect with them. I take time every class. I have 10 thirty-minute classes a day. I take the first 4-5 minutes to let me students come ask me questions, tells me things about themselves or tell me stories. I have learned some much about me students and have formed a connection with them that reaches past academics. I go to the games, dances and piano recitals after school and on weekends. The look on their face when they see you there is priceless! They know they matter and that you listen!
ReplyDeleteMary Ann- your comment about connecting with your students outside of the classroom resonates with me. I do this also and you are right...the look on their face is priceless.
DeleteI would love to have endless amounts of money to give!! I do have some places that I give to each month: the Humane Society (because my husband won't allow me to adopt all of the animals), our church, we sponsor a child in the Philippines, and do a monthly gift to a local Christian radio station. I would so love to give more as there are so many organizations out there that do amazing things for people and animals! Volunteering is also a way to give back and time is something that I can also give. It is such an amazing feeling to feel that you helped in some large or small way :)
ReplyDeleteCo-author Laurie MacIntosh and her husband Cody went on a ten-month giving spree. While you may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars from Ellen to give away, can you see yourself going on a giving spree? What can you give? How will you do it? List all the details!
ReplyDeleteBoy would it be fun to be able to go on a giving spree. I could see myself going on a giving spree if I did have the money to give. Some of my first gifts would be to help my family, especially my brother who is disabled and live pay check to pay check and still struggles. I would make sure he has the money he needs to fill his frig with food, pay bills, and purchase things he needs to live comfortably.
I would then reach out to local organizations and churches that would be able to support others like my brother, such as food banks and service clubs. Any organization that would have knowledge of individuals needing support would be a recipient of funds.
Another way to give is through time and talents. I could volunteer to help raise funds for organizations that use their funds to help others, such as working a food stand at the local fair. Basically I could give my time to any organization that helps people in need.
Unfortunately, I do not have monetary things to give away - we are teachers after all! :) If I could, I would give to homelessness programs. Not only because many of our students are dealing with and living homelessness, but these programs are in dire need of funding. I am very busy with my family after school, and sports are not my thing. I will go to student games, but no one would want me coaching sports! The way that I give, is mentoring new teachers and helping kids wherever I can. I am very busy with my own daughter and her activities - family comes first, but if a kiddo asks me to attend a game or event, I do everything I can to do so.
ReplyDeleteI can see myself going on a giving spree. I do not have a lot of money to give; however, I do what I can to help others in my family, neighborhood, and community as often as possible. I was once told that the best gift you can give a person is your time. I do my best to give my time to others through volunteering at church and the banquet, helping with my kids’ activities, going to various community gatherings, and never hesitating when someone asks for help.
ReplyDeleteI also like to find ways to help students without them knowing who helped them throughout the year. For instance, one student needed new clothes to wear, and another did not have enough money in their lunch account. Suddenly, they had what they needed. To me, it is not about recognition; it is about the feeling you get after giving something, whether it is your time or an actual gift.
I can see myself doing some giving. My husband and I go to a lot of benefits and are very giving people. I also find ways to help students. For instance, I had a couple of students that were moving out of their mom and dads houses and needed some furniture. I had some I was going to get rid of, so I gave it to them. There are times at school or a sporting event when a student is hungry and needs food to eat, I provide them with something to eat.
ReplyDeleteI loved the story about how Laurie gave away most of what Ellen gave her. I am someone who enjoys giving things to others. My very favorite thing to give is hugs. I had a former student just tell me this last month that he is not a hugger but when he sees me, he has to have a "momma g" hug and when I told his parents that they said "ya he doesn't like to hug" and his sister said "but hugs from you are totally worth it." This made my day since I have been struggling this last year with not teaching as my contract was going to be non-renewed, so I resigned. I gave this year's senior class a jar of positive notes, they were called "positive pickles". Many have reached out and told me that they think it is so fun.
ReplyDeleteThis is the post by Amanda Geraets.
DeleteI can see myself giving, but maybe not necessarily money. I feel like I’m the person that is always willing to help someone. If someone needs a duty covered at recess, I’m always the first one to take it. Someone needs a break, I’m always willing to take their students. Also I love to volunteer to help out whether it be taking tickets at a game to timing at a practice rodeo. I have spent many years coaching students from 3rd grade basketball all the way through as an assistant track coach. The feeling you get when you see that student accomplish a task that they didn’t think they could do is one of the most rewarding experiences.
ReplyDeleteHi Candice, thanks for sharing! I love volunteering as well and believe you can give in many ways that does not necessarily involve money.
DeleteMy husband and I would love to do a giving spree one day. We already give to various organizations and our church regularly, and we plan to keep prioritizing others even as we navigate our own financial journey. Right now, our primary contribution is time, and we love volunteering at our church in various ways. We hope to do even more as our time and finances allow. While large financial gifts are incredibly impactful, I don't think giving always has to be a grand gesture. I try to remain mindful of the people around me daily—whether it's picking up the tab for a stranger's coffee or stepping in when someone is short on cash at the grocery store. Helping whenever I can brings me immense joy
ReplyDeleteI would love to go on a giving spree!! I love giving, even though we do not necessarily have all the money in the world. I do "give" by serving on different committees within my town. I am on a church committee, in the fall we put on a haunted trail where we donate our time and the money we make we give back to the community. I have also helped coach for a few years. I think just giving your time back to your community and school is a great way to "give".
ReplyDeleteOooooo I think I want to steal this writing prompt for my classroom. I would love to know what my kids would give if they could.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself and my family... we too love to give! Giving of oneself often is worth more than the monetary stuff. Living in a small town we all have to give in order to keep everything running smoothly. We volunteer as Firemen, ambulance drivers, church boards, hospital boards, and the many things at school. I try to give back at school by purchasing many of my own classroom supplies. It makes me feel good to help the school out by not turning in requisition forms for every little thing. Most importantly, it is important to give a little piece of yourself everyday to build those relationships with the kids! That's what matters most!
Whoops, the above anonymous if from me. :)
DeleteHi Susie! I really enjoyed reading your perspective on giving, especially your point that giving of oneself is often worth more than monetary gifts. I also come from a small community and grew up watching my parents volunteer their time for the town, church, youth programs, sports, and many other community events. Through their example, I learned that strong communities are built when people give their time and talents to support others. This is what I strive to do now within my own teaching and community.
DeleteIf I could go on a big giving spree, I would, but for now I simply enjoy giving when I can with what I have. For the past few years, I have found it rewarding to give away items my children have outgrown, such as cribs, clothes, shoes, toys, books, and more. My sister and I each have two children, an older boy and a younger girl. Her children are both a little over a year younger than mine, so I always let her go through my children's things first. However, we also know another family in our community with a young boy and girl who are in need of many of these items, so we have been giving the rest to them. It brings me joy to know these items can continue to be used and appreciated by other families.
ReplyDeleteAs my children grow older, I have also considered giving my time by helping coach or lead activities they participate in. I think this would be a wonderful way to connect not only to my own children, but to others as well outside of the school setting.
I am very much aligned with the way that you give. I think it’s so important to help others in the ways that we can, and I find it especially rewarding when we can bring our children into the practice of giving!
DeleteOur family does not have much extra money to give, but we do give when and where we can. During the Christmas season, we try to give a couple dollars or coins to the Salvation Army Santas when we are out and about. We have also volunteered to be bell ringers for this, and found it very rewarding. Whenever a child is selling something as a fundraiser for their activity, we usually order something to try to support them. I give a lot of items to thrift stores and on a "buy nothing" facebook page. Additionally, we are willing to give our time. I have lead a confirmation class at my church, coached a T-ball team, lead reading activities at the library, volunteered to serve at a meal house, and given many casseroles to families with new babies or lost loved ones. I have been an advisor for Astronomy club and Environmental Ingenuity club and I have assistant coached track. I am going to lead the HOSA club at school this next year, and will be looking for other opportunities to volunteer in my community when we move back.
ReplyDeleteI think so many of us feel the same way you do in that we don't have much extra money to give. That makes me feel really guilty when I can't help out in that way as much as I would like. However, you give in so many other ways, and that is really admirable! It looks like you are very generous with your time, and you are impacting so many people through that work! What is the HOSA club?
DeleteHi Ashley! HOSA is a leadership club for future health professionals.
DeleteI would love to be able to go on a giving spree like that and could definitely see myself doing something like that if I was able! Giving to others makes you feel so good. I try to be generous with my time and things I no longer need. For example, I like to pass things on to others (kid clothes, toys, etc.), make things for others (meals, homemade jam, etc.), and donate my time through volunteering. Just yesterday I volunteered with United Way to hand out meals for our summer meal program. I was reminded just how rewarding it is to volunteer my time, and I plan on doing more of that this summer. I also plan on joining our Exchange Club in town, and after I retire, I plan on being a mentor in our All In Mentoring program.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had that money to go on a giving spree! I do gifts to my students quite a bit whether it's for the holidays or things that are needed for hygiene. I have given out clothes to families that need it at my school and my own family knows to save things like that for my students. It really makes your heart feel good when you see someone's face light up when they receive something that seems so simple to us. There are many organizations in town that also help us out with this, such as Badges for Hope and Tee It Up Fore Cancer as well.
ReplyDeleteI have realized that rather than donate to charities my money is best spent on the things I do as a teacher for my students and colleagues. Instead of allocating money to outside charities each year, my husband and I earmark that money for my school purposes. At my school, most teachers have a core group of around 20 students that we see each day, like a homeroom. In addition to organization and information conveyance, I use the time we have together each day to make connections with each of them and all of them as a group. At the beginning of the year I tell them that we are a school 'family', and I do things throughout the year to take care of our 'family'. We celebrate each students birthday with a small gift of their favorites... drink/sweet treat/ savory treat... from a survey I give each of them at the beginning of the school year. That is such a small thing from me...I spend around $5... but it means so much to them! We celebrate all their successes... athletics/music/art/academics...the end of testing season... holidays...my birthday...usually with treats I make and bring in, such as brownies and ice cream or cookies, sometimes donuts. This is how I use my resources to help the world- one student at a time. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of setting aside money and using it to celebrate your students. What a wonderful memory for them.
DeleteI forget to change my name. The anonymous is me.
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