This month I’d like to start something new on the blog – a monthly feature called Front Porch Friday – bringing awareness to social issues in our society, by giving back or paying it forward. To me, giving back takes my mind off of the challenges in my own life and giving me one more thing to thank God for each and every day.
When I sit on my front porch, bible in hand, I always, always, always, look around me and thank God for the gifts He’s blessed my life with. I am grateful for these quiet moments that leave me in deep thought and prayer for each and every gift I have; the very gifts given to me by God. Holding on to those gifts and possessions is an act of selfishness. Scripture reminds us that we are to put our needs aside for the good of others.
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” Acts 4:32
Random Acts of Kindness bring out the best in all of us and life never lacks moments where kindness, encouragement, or hope can be offered. We can simply take the experiences in our own life or those of friends and loved ones, or work around something that is near and dear to your heart. So with this thought in mind, I want to share what I’m doing once a month in my community and what lessons I’m learning along the way. I hope you share some of the things you are doing in the comments section, inspiring others to spread awareness and share the love.
What better month to start a series around service than February – the month that focuses on love. Not only is the central focus on Valentine’s day, but it is also the beginning of Lent, the ultimate season of love, sacrifice, and service. In this spirit, I chose to donate little red crocheted hats to the Little Hats, Big Hearts Campaign. It was my first attempt at crocheting hats!
February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association along with The Children’s Heart Foundation is in their 3rd year of the Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign, here in the Hudson Valley. Volunteers knit and crochet little red hats for newborn babies to help raise awareness of heart disease. Baby’s born at participating hospitals during the month of February will receive a red hat instead of the traditional pink or blue.
This campaign began in Chicago in 2014 and collected 300 hats. The program is now in 40 states, 660 hospitals and according to the statistics on the AHA website, has collected over 200,000 hats for the 2018 campaign. The Hudson Valley has 20 local participating hospitals.
Heart defects in children range from holes between chambers of the heart to sever malformations such as complete absence of one or more chamber valves. Congenital heart defects affect about 40,000 babies born in the US each year.
Sowing Sunday living in a weekday world.
I hope you enjoyed your visit here today. If you did, please share your thoughts in the comments below or share on social media using the hashtag #gardenerstouch.
you are amazing!! and such an inspiration to all of us.
I’ve watched amazing people like you!! ??
Great idea! Love the red hats. My friend’s baby boy was born with a major heart defect. No pulmonary valve. He just had his 3rd surgery last night, 15 hours , but was successful! Thank God! Bless you for helping draw attention to something so important and for the contribution you make by sewing. You are right there is so many ways we can help out, we just have to find them!
3rd surgery? Poor little guy. Delighted to hear the surgery was successful. Hope you enjoy more Front Porch Friday posts. We can all do small things with great love!