A Serving Week

Last week was what we think of as service week in our American Heritage Girls troop. For the past few weeks girls had been collecting items for Operation Christmas Child, and we had a packing party on Thursday.

We had over 50 girls come for the party, which included learning more about some of the countries that OCC serves, coloring pictures and writing letters for the boxes. Our middle and high schoolers helped direct the younger girls in all the activities. They are awesome!

We packed 21 boxes and had lots of items leftover to donate to local program for homeless families.

On Friday our troop, 3 other area troops, and our brother Cub Scout pack/Boy Scout troop participated for the 5th year in the Knoxville Veterans Day parade.


There is just nothing like paying tribute to our veterans in this way. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes, both in complete gratefulness for the these men and women, and also in joy for these girls we are leading.

On Saturday several of us volunteered for Compassion International at the Rock and Worship Roadshow. Our job was to either man the sponsor table or hand out packets throughout the audience of children who need sponsored. I love Compassion International—we have sponsored a girl from Rwanda for about 5 years, and our AHG troop sponsors a girl from Peru— and was excited to get to serve in this way. It was a big plus that we got to hear awesome music while we manned the table!

Are you looking for ideas for encouraging your kids to serve? Check out my article on Making Community Service Part of Your Homeschool on The Homeschool Classroom. I have loads of links and ideas there!

Linked up with Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, and Seven Clown Circus