volunteer day & selfish generosity

Saturday, January 22, 2011

10am to 3pm

where: Samaritan's Purse, Calgary

why: Stepper Homes is a sponsor/builder of a home for Paul Brandt's (for non-Canadian readers and non country music fans, click here for info on Paul's achievements) Build it Forward project. Click here for more info on this fascinating project.

what: to fill shoe boxes for operation Christmas Child (a year long project) and learn more about the important work that Samaritan's Purse does internationally.

who: a few of Scott's colleagues from Stepper Homes. There were volunteers from the families that are having a home built, other sponsors staff and staff from Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan's purse. In total there were around 130 adults and children.

why is this post titled selfish generosity?

I have learned in the last 2+ months that giving is important, no matter how small or big the gesture. However, my soul has been peaceful and grateful for the opportunities to give, be it my time, money or emotions. In every instance of good that I have intentionally done, I got more back emotionally than the gift I have given. Selfish has always been thought of as a negative adjective but in this context I don't think it is. My opinion is that it is a by-product of a positive act and that it is unavoidable that you will be satisfied and at peace when you make the decision to help others, to expand your world.

As a rule follower (so boring :( I asked if I could take pictures and was told NO photos at all, other than my family. No faces of others, no Paul Brandt...just my family and I took pictures of the environment which seemed to be ok.

the day in pictures:

1. empty shoe-boxes, waiting to be filled.

2. ok, maybe I am not a total rule follower, a quick picture of Paul Brandt during the lunch time concert he did.

3. volunteer entrance

1. Kaeden "shopping" with Scott to fill up their shoe-boxes

2. Filled boxes of completed shoe boxes, waiting to be shipped.

3. Stuffed friends at the "store", every box I did (7 in total) got a zebra, except the one for the boy 12-14 years of age.

4. Scott and Kaeden working on their personal insert that went into the boxes. The form had a few questions about who we were, what we liked, etc... They also took a picture of us that we could include.

the above pictures are one of my boxes from the beginning to the end. I did seriously get all of of that into the little shoe box, my dad would have been proud, I was an expert packer by the last few boxes.

Scott and Kaeden and their completed boxes
Shelby wrote a message in the top of each of her boxes.
It was an extremely well organized day that allowed us to pack 528 boxes that will be taken to Haiti next month.

They also had a "Haiti Experience" that was fascinating. They simulated an earthquake, then had the children go to an area with lots of "rubble/destruction" that they had to clean up. We also saw how a package of ? (yep, should have had my notebook with me) chemicals I guess? could clean disgusting, dirty water into completely safe drinking water. I was busy talking to a gentlemen about volunteering in Haiti that I missed the "shelter building" but Scott and his team did a great job creating a Haiti shelter out of sticks and a tarp.

Kaeden who was not sure about this whole idea and was not impressed he was giving up a Saturday had a wonderful time and told us many times that he was very glad we "made him come".

This experience just reinforced Shelby's desire to travel and volunteer at an orphanage overseas.

If you would like to volunteer and/or to make a donation, please go to www.samaritanspurse.ca/

Built it Forward will air I believe in May 2011 on CMT. If you would like to volunteer or donate, go to their website: http://builditforward.ca/