Lola's RAOK Challenge and Exchange Train

[hijinx25]

Welcome Everyone, I'll take a few more riders and then we'll get going!

As I was sitting in Timmies Drive thru this morning (treated myself to an ice-cap) I decided to start off my RAOK's. I paid for the guy's coffee in the car behind me. Was a small gesture but hopefully it brightened his day and he pays if forward.

Someone did this for me last year. I was having a CRUMMY morning. I was uncomfortable and in pain because I was very pregnant (LOL) and really couldn't tolerate going to work for this reason (I'm on my feet all day). I let a car go ahead of me in line for the Timmie's drive through so I could get my change organized for a (then) small steeped tea and bagel. When I got to the pay window, he told me my order was taken car of and hoped that would brighten my day. I BAWLED, LOL. Of course, hormones were at play too, but seriously, an EXTREMELY kind gesture. This goes to show how one act of kindness, no matter how small, can just move mountains.

OK I am officially the train copy cat. Me too Me too! And it turned out to be a $50 ROAK which wasn't exactly what i had anticipated but my husband was like "can't pick who's behind you. Cough it up!" haha. Turns out it was doughnuts and coffee for a group of special ed teachers. How fitting for the first day of school! and a well deserving group thats for sure!

Also i think i'm going to go play coupin fairy during my errands later and hopefully some other as yet unknowns acts for my ROAK day.

So generous! And fitting, it is! I'm a teacher and we go through a lot of coffee! LOL

My son has cerebral palsy and trust me those special ed teachers deserve coffee. They deal with a lot. Trying to get my son so walk and talk is challenging but his teacher is so excited that he will be in his class and told me all summer to email with any questions.

Going now to do one of my RAOK. My son out grew his foot plates for his bike and they cost about $40 to have made. We have learned of another CP with a son who is in need of bike plates but can't afford to buy them. Insurance doesn't cover these things and even second hand they are selling for $25. So I'm going to drop them off to our physiotherapist and she will make sure the family gets them. Every child needs the freedom of a bike.

That is SO lovely. I'm a high school teacher, DH is an elementary teacher and we both know no one works as hard as our special ed teachers. They are a special "breed" of teachers!



OK - so "my turn"!

I collect coupons for formula so that I can buy or get almost for free (because I can stack in BC). Then I donate them to our local pregnancy crisis shelter. They have a really hard time getting this donation, as formula is so expensive, as we know. So, I'm getting ready to drop of my next "batch" of formula at the end of the next month.

My daughter just started kindergarten today (sniff sniff) and last night I read her a story. This is an excerpt:
When I was in kindergarten, there was a little boy in my class named Adam. Adam looked a little different and he wore funny clothes and sometimes he even smelled a little bit. Adam didn’t smile. He hung his head low and he never looked at anyone at all. Adam never did his homework. I don’t think his parents reminded him like yours do. The other kids teased Adam a lot. Whenever they did, his head hung lower and lower and lower. I never teased him, but I never told the other kids to stop, either.

And I never talked to Adam, not once. I never invited him to sit next to me at lunch, or to play with me at recess. Instead, he sat and played by himself. He must have been very lonely.

I still think about Adam every day. I wonder if Adam remembers me? Probably not. I bet if I’d asked him to play, just once, he’d still remember me.

RAOK are so powerful when done by children, I'm a true believer of this. Already, my girl smiles at strangers to make them feel like "they've been kissed by sunshine" (her words!) and she piles up her toys that she doesn't play with to donate (I take them to the local preschools).

Thank you for letting me share (and sorry for the long post!). I look forward to reading more of your RAOK!!

[TTBY]

I sent all P&G Pamper coupons to another member. She seem so happy.

[YellowTamborine]

I sent all P&G Pamper coupons to another member. She seem so happy.

awww nice! Those things are golden!

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Such great RAOK's already! You all rock

Just waiting on a few more rider summary's and then I can send out buddy info. I'll probably have to send it out tomorrow evening since I doubt I'll get them all tonight before bed. Tomorrow in addition to my 2 little ones (3, 1.5), I'll also be watching my 2 month old nephew while my SIL goes to her orientation (last year of Nursing). It'll be a full house here. lol

[jasperandchar]

Today I dropped off a garbage bag full of boys gently used clothing to a lady who needed it. Felt really good to know that the clothes were going to a home that will enjoy them!

[jasperandchar]

goodnight everyone...tomorrow is another day of ROAKs.

[MrsSunshine]

so after a rather 'interesting' evening it looks like i'll be teaching my son all about RAOK's for the next month. long story. wn't b getting into it but boy oh boy somedays being a parent OI!
can't wait til tomorrow night.

[CouponLadybird]

Today's RAOK:
My oldest is in school, and has a classmate/friend who's family is really struggling at the moment. My DD came home from school and told me that this little girl had all the same school supplies from last year, and was pretty sad because she didn't have anything new like the other kids. My DD has way to many supplies (thanks to both me and my Mum shopping for her) so we got out a pencil case and filled it with new school supplies for DD's friend. We also packed up a binder, notebooks, paper and a few other items. DD is really excited to get on the bus today and give the package to her friend

[pumpkin9211]

I'm not on this train but thought I would post about what my family does for our big RAOK.

We have a local youth shelter. They take both boys and girls(15-18). In order to stay at the shelter, you must continue to attend school, volunteer and try to find part-time work(age appropriate). They have a zero alcohol/tobacco/drug policy. They do not charge for rent/food/etc but encourage the kids to "give back" (if and when) they can. Without this shelter, most, if not all of these kids would be on the streets.

We start shopping in January...

We pick up things like bodywashes, deodorants, razors, lotions, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pads, tampons, soap, shampoo, conditioner,make-up etc.

We also include: hats, mitts, scarfs,socks, underwear, bras, undershirts, pants, jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, pj's, jackets, shoes, boots, etc(we buy all different sizes).

We also pick up: Purses, wallets, belts, jewllery, watches, hats, etc

We try to include: towels, faceclothes, pillows

We always add: books, games, puzzles, notebooks, pens, etc

We shop all year... in November we call the shelter and ask for the number of boys and girls who are currently living there and are expected to be there at Christmas time.. we always add a few more "packages" just incase more kids are there at Christmas time. The shelter cant give the names out(understandable) but they will tell us "one loves chocolate, one loves Hello Kitty, etc" and we go and get that 1 special gift for each of the kids...

We package them all up.. wrap the gifts and label them "to the chocolate lover", etc... the staff will know who it is meant for. We drop them off the week before Christmas so the kids can see that someone thought of them over the holiday season. (the staff gives out the clothing for us--we don't know the sizes-thats why we buy all different sizes)

We also include a gift card to Metro for the shelter and it helps to get some of the Christmas Dinner items.

We love doing this. I'm not sure how it started... but I know this is something my family will continue to do for years and years and years.

Enjoy the train!

[jasperandchar]

that is a wonderful ROAK your daughter and you show be so proud, the little girl will be over the moon! Well done!

Today's RAOK:
My oldest is in school, and has a classmate/friend who's family is really struggling at the moment. My DD came home from school and told me that this little girl had all the same school supplies from last year, and was pretty sad because she didn't have anything new like the other kids. My DD has way to many supplies (thanks to both me and my Mum shopping for her) so we got out a pencil case and filled it with new school supplies for DD's friend. We also packed up a binder, notebooks, paper and a few other items. DD is really excited to get on the bus today and give the package to her friend

[jasperandchar]

Pumpkin9211 that is amazing & a ROAK that continues for months, your family & you should be so proud of your ROAK as it definately like you say lets the kids know that someone is thinking of them at Christmas but in your case you think of them all year round, that's absolutely superb!

I'm not on this train but thought I would post about what my family does for our big RAOK.

We have a local youth shelter. They take both boys and girls(15-18). In order to stay at the shelter, you must continue to attend school, volunteer and try to find part-time work(age appropriate). They have a zero alcohol/tobacco/drug policy. They do not charge for rent/food/etc but encourage the kids to "give back" (if and when) they can. Without this shelter, most, if not all of these kids would be on the streets.

We start shopping in January...

We pick up things like bodywashes, deodorants, razors, lotions, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pads, tampons, soap, shampoo, conditioner,make-up etc.

We also include: hats, mitts, scarfs,socks, underwear, bras, undershirts, pants, jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, pj's, jackets, shoes, boots, etc(we buy all different sizes).

We also pick up: Purses, wallets, belts, jewllery, watches, hats, etc

We try to include: towels, faceclothes, pillows

We always add: books, games, puzzles, notebooks, pens, etc

We shop all year... in November we call the shelter and ask for the number of boys and girls who are currently living there and are expected to be there at Christmas time.. we always add a few more "packages" just incase more kids are there at Christmas time. The shelter cant give the names out(understandable) but they will tell us "one loves chocolate, one loves Hello Kitty, etc" and we go and get that 1 special gift for each of the kids...

We package them all up.. wrap the gifts and label them "to the chocolate lover", etc... the staff will know who it is meant for. We drop them off the week before Christmas so the kids can see that someone thought of them over the holiday season. (the staff gives out the clothing for us--we don't know the sizes-thats why we buy all different sizes)

We also include a gift card to Metro for the shelter and it helps to get some of the Christmas Dinner items.

We love doing this. I'm not sure how it started... but I know this is something my family will continue to do for years and years and years.

Enjoy the train!

[jasperandchar]

I stumbled upon these when searching the net and thought it was so appropriate & needed to post, enjoy!

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain



Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree. ~Marian Wright Edelman



[E]very day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. ~Maya Angelou

[jasperandchar]

same idea as what Lola originally posted that inspired her....not copying just had a brain fart this am (lol) and was consumed with my google searches on RAOKs and fell upon this....totally forgot about Lola's inspiration, then just went back to see what inspired Lola and low and behold same idea (duh)

My birthday is this month and I have decided after reading the story below to follow in this persons footsteps as I don't need anything for my birthday and think that doing 38 RAOKs would would warm my heart more than any gifts I could receive.

I will try and document the RAOKs as I go along, thanks

http://myblessedlife.net/2011/03/my-...of-giving.html

[jasperandchar]

this is so true!

[jasperandchar]

From A Mother and ChildDear Readers:

One day I was shopping with my child after work to pick up supplies needed for an employee celebration. I was exhausted and wanted to get in and out quickly. My child was tired and cranky and wanted out of the shopping cart. She was grabbing for every item we passed. I was losing my patience and temper when an elderly woman came over to us. She took my child's hand, and said "what a lovely child." My little girl was quiet immediately. The woman looked at me. She had an angelic smile and then again said, "they are so wonderful at this age." At once I felt peaceful and in control of the situation. After she walked away, I found a snack that pleased me and my little one and we had a pleasant shopping trip. That one moment of someone reminding me what a treasure I had turned my whole attitude around and made my shopping trip so much easier.