I LOVE SERVICE!!!

On Saturday, April 18th, our children participated in "All Paws for a Cause" fundraiser. This took place at McKee's petting zoo! The purpose: raising money to save the petting zoo. The government is always setting more and more restrictions and laws. In order for them to stay open, they needed the community's help.

That's where the youth service club came in. Our children are a part of Modern Woodmen of America Youth Service club. This club's motto is:

"There is a destiny that makes us brothers. None goes his way alone; all that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own."

Each month, Faith, Dawson, and Kate go and do a service project in the community. So far this year, we have adopted a grandma, cleaned DVD and VHS covers at the local library and also donated much needed CDs there, and picked up trash at the neighborhood park.

For April, club leaders Sara Bohney and Ana Beauchat put together this awesome fundraiser from 1 to 4 on Saturday the 18th. There was a dog show, the K-9 unit from the Police Department, a magic show, train rides, face painting, a raffle, and more!!!

It all started though, with awards from the major of Chubbuck presenting service awards to the children of our club. Parents did not know who was taking home what award.

Here is youth club leader Anya trying to get things started:

Sara explaining how the children were nominated for the awards and that Modern Woodmen decided.

There were 5 children who qualified (you have to be at least 8 years old). The other 4 children received a medal. (Faith did receive a medal last year as well.) Faith shaking hands with Major England to receive her award.

She received the highest honor, which was the 2009 Outstanding Junior Volunteer. It was a nice little plaque. She is always so shy and embarrassed about thing like this.

We are so proud of the service that she does in the community. We also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this company and the opportunities it gives our family to give back.

On May 2, it is National Join Hands Day. We will be going back to McKee to put in volunteer hours and hopefully make a difference. We were able to raise around $2500 from this event. The club also received a Shining Star award. This is given to only 34 clubs nationwide, so it's a pretty big deal. (I know that we have 4 clubs in the Pocatello area - there are hundreds if not thousands of clubs nationwide.)

Here is information about Join Hands Day:
What it is:
The goal of Join Hands Day is to bring young people and adults together to plan and implement projects that benefit their communities. It's the only day on the national calendar that brings generations together through volunteering. Join Hands Day is a national day of service sponsored by Modern Woodmen and America's fraternal benefit societies.

Why you should participate:

1. You'll help bridge the generation gap.
2. You'll help your community.
3. Members of your community will learn about your group's efforts.
4. It's easy and fun!

For those of you in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area, you can join us to make a difference! Come Saturday, May 2nd from 9-12 at McKee's Petting Zoo. At noon, they will be providing lunch for all the volunteers. I look forward to seeing you there!!!