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It was her idea to donate a brand new teddy bear to the shelter after hearing that she could be helping a little boy or girl badly in need of a friend, and a cuddle. Since we visited the shelter’s office weeks ago, she asks me a lot about when we can go back or if we can visit the women and children in the shelter. While I have to tell her that we won’t go into their living space, we can think of new and creative ways to help, and new and creative gifts to donate. She helped me with an idea.
What if we could find out what this shelter, and other shelters were most in need of, and put together a holiday stocking filled with those items? I thought this was an incredible idea, so I turned straight to Google, as well as to a friend who manages a particular organization. Scarlet and I wrote out our shopping list, went to Target, and used our brains and hearts to fill stockings for those most in need of the items we hand-picked. It was a hard task for me, because I tend to over-think everything and want to DO everything, but Scarlet gently reminded me of our task at hand. It’s important. And rewarding.
Here’s what we were told that women’s shelters are looking for the most – sweatshirts, socks, hygiene kits, blankets, towels, sheets, pillow cases, electric toothbrushes, journals, pens, slippers, pajamas, alarm clocks, strollers, toy trucks and cars, dolls, crayons and coloring books, art supplies, backpacks, board games, puzzles, books, purses, wallets, perfume and videos.
1. We made a wish list of everything we thought might be most special for people during the holiday season.
2. We called the shelter and asked what items were most needed.
3. We made a shopping list and budget and set forth on our adventure.
4. We went to Target for all of the goodies and the biggest and most important item on our list – the Philips Sonicare 2 Series.
I have one of these toothbrushes too, in fact. The Philips Sonicare 2 Series has exclusive colors only available at Target in red, green or blue. Naturally, we chose red because.. Scarlet chose and it’s her color! The Sonicare removes up to 6x more plaque than a manual toothbrush for superior clean. I know Scarlet was really impressed by gifting an electric toothbrush to someone in need, but it’s something the shelter specifically mentioned, and we were really happy to help.
5. We put our stocking together and took it to the shelter.
My dentist is exceedingly impressed that I will only use Sonicare products, and I think it’s the perfect holiday gift for donation or anything. Hygiene is so important, and I think the Sonicare will be appreciated. I hope to gift more.
1. Get to know them if you can. Spend time with them and ask them their names. Remember those names and look them in the eye. Tell them your name. Be open and friendly. Tell stories and be a good listener to their stories. Remember stories.
2. Treat them like a brother or sister. Except don’t hit them in the stomach if they take your lightsaber.
3. Find out from them what they most need – listening, shopping, eating.
4. Make them garlic bread and hand it out on the streets like we did when you (me) made garlic bread and Dada gave it out.
5. Give them forks and spoons! And napkins. If you give them garlic bread (or other foods).
6. Give them socks and underwear and makes sure it’s new. (Mama edit – and marked with the size)
7. Give those little things we get from hotels – soaps and shampoos.
8. Give them toothbrushes and floss and food good for their teeth. Like apples!
9. Give them clean water.
10. Give them soft shirts and pants, like Des likes.
And I can’t imagine what it’s like to receive a Sonicare toothbrush in your holiday stocking or under your tree. I know I personally was very excited when I got mine!
Aw, that Scarlet she is truly wise beyond her years. Seriously, what a great wishlist she compiled and truly think she did a great job on this. By the way, we love Sonicare, too here 😉
I’ve been using Sonicare for years! My dentist always says, “Keep doing what you’re doing!”
She is such a sweetheart and more than likely got it from her amazing mom. That was so sweet of her to think of those in need and I’m sure they loved their new stockings. Sonicare toothbrushes are amazing btw.
I would so love to believe she got any of her goodness from me. I tend to believe she was born with it, or Cassidy. She’s so awesome! Thank you!
What an awesome and inspiring post! I love that you are raising a sweet, gentle little soul who knows how important it is to give back! #client
Thank you! She’s such a pleasure to raise, and with such strong and gentle opinions on the world. I hope it never changes.
Ha, I just bought this toothbrush for myself!
That’s awesome that you are making stockings for the local shelter. What a great lesson in giving to teach Scarlet! I hope to do things like this with Eve as she gets older.
I can see you and Eve taking on the world together. No doubt at all!
Happy Sonicaring! I just made up my verb. I have a Sonicare in each bathroom of my house, no lie. I’m a little obsessed.
What a great idea! Yes these items are so needed and a fabulous new tooth brush like this is excellent! Great job Scarlet and Mom 🙂
I actually have two Sonicare toothbrushes, because, you can never go wrong!
Socks are especially needed in the cold. I just donated a whole box of missing mates, and they were really happy to get them. Also, bras are rarely donated and a big need in women’s shelters.
What an awesome one! Bras! It’s tougher because of size variations, but that doesn’t make them less needed at all.
Socks are my favorite thing to give and receive.
A few years ago when I was attending a surgical conference in South Africa, I found myself at dinner sitting between their Surgeon General and his wife. He was bragging how they were teaching general dentists to fix broken jaws for poor people in the rural areas. I suggested to him that distributing basic dental materials such as tooth brushes to the poor masses would do more for his people than the rare care for a broken jaw. He was not pleased with my idea. Interestingly, his wife loved it 🙂
Good for you and your daughter!
I love that his wife loved your great idea. I do too!
What a wonderful way to help others during the holidays! I am sure that stocking will make someone’s day! The Sonicare toothbrush is something I would not mind having in my stocking!
I hear that! I actually bought one for myself too. And I’m planning on getting Cassidy the blue one. They’re so awesome!
I love Sonicare and have used it for years. It does help with improved oral hygiene. Love that you and Scarlet made this stocking for the women’s shelter. Such a great lesson.
Sometimes I include Scarlet in my projects, but sometimes she really thinks of them herself. She’s really awesome that way and I can’t wait to see it expand.
I love it. Seriously, this is the kind of empathetic thinking we need more of in this world. Fantastic job, guys 🙂
Thank you so much! I always imagine what it would be like in this world if more people were like Scarlet. It would be fantastic!
So awesome that you’re sharing this spirit of giving with Scarlet already! We always buy socks for the men’s shelter and fill them with necessities. So easy but so appreciated. And I couldn’t live without my Sonicare (well, I probably could, but my teeth would be very unhappy)! P.S. So sorry about your Uncle. I’ll be thinking of your whole family.
Thanks so much, Lana!
I think stocking stuffing for a shelter is one of my favorite holiday traditions.
good job guys! I heard socks are one of the things people from shelters need most.
Looks like a good stocking & toothbrush 🙂
I knew toothbrushes were needed, but I never knew electric ones were. I’m glad now to know that and to help.
Oh you know I LOVE THIS!! I feel like Scarlet and my little amor would get along just fine. 🙂 She (my daughter) is the inspiration for an upcoming post- I would love to link back to this post when I finally get it done 🙂
XOXO
I absolutely can’t wait to read it!
My daughter would love your kids. All of them.
Get Janine to design a blog for that kid, stat. Lightsaber stealing is definitely a stomach-punchable offense. It would be cool to include a gift card for her, too.
Agreed. Gift cards are a favorite.
Maybe a gift card to use Janine’s services should be in Scarlet’s stocking.
That kid’ll whip all are arses in pageviews. (I want her to guest post.)
She honestly will! She takes bribes from me, though.
I’m sure someone is really going to appreciate that stocking! I love that you included fun items like a book and fuzzy socks 🙂
Fuzzy socks are my thing. I think there are few things better than them! And I had to get a book from my favorite author, of course!
I use a sonicare… But I need new brush heads. They’re kinda pricey. Man friend keeps asking me what I want for XMAS. Sonicare brush heads. DONE! lol!!!!
haha, there you go! They go on sale a lot so I stock up then. They’re good in stockings!
Oh goodness, Scarlet’s list is just perfect! #1 especially tugged at my heartstrings. This reminds me that my parents are involved with a charitable organization providing housing to families of critically hospitalized patients. They’re always asking for toothbrushes and sample sizes of toothpaste and other toiletries. Love the idea of putting those in a little stocking.
Dental care items are stuff we have lots of extras of, from hotels and from the dentist. So it’s nice to be able to give them to people who want them!
I love this idea! Scarlet is so thoughtful.
I really love this about her. She doesn’t get it from me! She’s just naturally thoughtful. I love it.
I got a Sonicare a few months ago on recommendation of my dentist. She said that we’d have to discuss tooth extraction if I didn’t do a better job at cleaning my wisdom teeth. I have all four. I’m not ready to have any teeth pulled. I’ve made it over 30 years, I hope to make it the rest of my life.
Cassidy still has all of his wisdom teeth and had to switch dentists to one who was ok with him having them!
Good luck to you both!
#2!!! I love Scarlet! That’s a great way to put it.
I agree! The girl is a born writer.
Simply awesome! Thank you for being one of the helpers Scarlet!
She totally is. Mr. Rogers was talking about HER.
Seriously? Scarlet’s words? She is amazing. I agree with you – one day she just may change the world. And I totally agree, I would have picked red, too, of course! this is a beautiful post. Thanks, Tamara. And Scarlet – your #2 made me laugh out loud!
Scarlet can be pretty silly!
Red toothbrushes for the win! I actually have a Sonicare in each bathroom of my house. A little obsessed over here.
Soft shirts and pants, Des and I definitely have that in common. Such a thoughtful and super smart Scarlet.
haha, me too! I wore flannel pants IN PUBLIC on Saturday night! It was for the Polar Express and I loved every second of it.
Awww . . . Scarlet is so sweet and thoughtful 🙂
I don’t have a Sonicare brush, but my son and husband do and they love their Sonicare brushes. The dentist actually recommended it for my son, because his teeth tend to stain and it’s great at getting them clean.
Aw! Is it still his baby teeth? Scarlet is six and hasn’t lost any teeth. We were recommended an electric toothbrush for her because she has weird teeth.
They are his permanent teeth. But the Sonicare brush helps out a lot.
What a wonderful thing to do! That little lady of yours has such a sweet heart she’s going to grow up to be such a compassionate adult!
I hope so! So far, so good. We definitely have our moments but I think she’s a born feeler and that won’t go away.