Synergy of Service

“It’s the synergy, the synergy between service before self. And the responding gratitude, the expressed gratitude that comes back. Service before self, gratitude and attitude.Service is something we all can do, even in small ways, even in the worst of times.. . from little things big things can happen.” ~ Gail Halvorson, the Candy Bomber 

Carol, Barbara, Lynn and Carolyn stuffing soldier Christmas stockings

 On November 3rd, we met at Lynn's home to stuff our Socks for Soldiers. We also filled stockings with pet treats that will be taken up to the Boutique at the Festival of Trees in December.

Patti, Barbara and Carol

 The Socks for Soldiers are shipped to men and women serving in the military over seas around the world by the American Fork Humanitarian Services Center (for more information see the information below.

Vila with the dog treat stockings

 The stockings for pets are filled with pet treats and chew toys and have a fun little tag saying "from Santa Paws."  These are a popular item at the Festival of Trees boutique.

Patti, Carol, Barbara

Kathy, Carol, Vila, Patti, Lynn, Carolyn and Barbara with soldier stockings

Sandy, Carol, Vila, Patti, Lynn, Carolyn and Barbara with soldier stockings

For 25 years now, Rose Ann Gunther has been directing Humanitarian efforts at the American Fork East Stake Center.  This is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's Humanitarian efforts world wide, but held locally.  Should the sisters in your ward have time to spare, this is a service they can just go and do, any Wednesday, without any preparation or cost on their part. Also, Sister Gunther will check out materials for projects that your sisters can complete in your wardand bring them back finished.  

Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Directions to  the AF East Stake Center: 825 E. 500 N.

-Go south on 4800 West in Highland

-Turn right on 900 East (American Fork), just before you get to the Timpanogos Temple.  

-Go down 900 East to 500 North.  

-Turn right on 500 North.  The orange brick church is straight ahead.  Enter through the back doors.

Do What You Do Well

"I think we have to appreciate that we're alive for only a limited period of time, and we'll spend most of our lives working. That being the case, I believe one of the most important priorities is to do whatever we do as well as we can. We should take pride in that." Victor Kiam

 The November We Can meeting was held Tuesday, November 1 at Carolyn's home. Those ladies in attendance were RaeLee, Barbara, Judy, Patti, Vila, Ardis, Ann, Paulette, Phyllis, and Carolyn. 

 We worked on four projects. We filled 10 Christmas stockings that will be sent to soldiers in war zones for Christmas. We completed 100 shape toys (these go in school kits and are mainly being sent to Afghanistan). We also made more than 30 dog chew toys.

These will go in Christmas stockings for dogs and are sold at the gift shop of the Festival of Trees. The fourth project was a tag in the shape of a Christmas ornament. The tags go on the dog socks and say "Merry Christmas from Santa Paws" with a picture of a dog wearing a Santa hat. Ann and Carolyn's cub scouts will finish filling the dog socks with a tennis ball and dog biscuits. We also collected candy for the Children's Justice Center Christmas Hats project.  Besides working on service projects, we enjoyed a nice pot luck lunch.

We will be going up to Salt Lake City to attend the Mother's Without Borders Boutique, Saturday morning, November 5th.
 
Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 28th. We will be going up to the Festival of Trees to set up our Chirstmas tree and take any craft items you have made to the Gift Boutique. Bring a lawn chair, snacks and drinks.    Festival of Trees will run from November 30-December 3 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy.  It is open from 10:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door or through Zions Bank .