Promoting Mercy through Volunteerism!

Families these days are busy, but we all can find at least an hour a month to do something wonderful! We need to, and our kids need us to. The world needs us to train the next generation of humanitarian leaders. It can all start with some simple, easily executed plans that expand hearts and world views.

Yesterday was about as close to a perfect day as I can hope to get. Our family had an amazing evening spending time with some friends with developmental disabilities. Eleven MERCYWORLDWIDE volunteers attended our monthly service project, which my husband @joechiappetta coordinates. On a global scale, our group is focused on having compassion (AKA mercy) on those in need, and it is so rewarding.

Included in this disability-related project were several families with children very excited to serve. Once a month, we partner with AbilityFirst to have an hour long visit at their Crown House, a group home for people with developmental disabilities serving fifteen residents in Pasadena, California.

We started the visit off with the entire group of residents and volunteers getting down for a three song dance party. Abba's "Dancing Queen" is always a big hit to kick things off in a powerful way! It was so inspiring to see the residents who have mobility impairments not letting that stop them from dancing. They vigorously shook their walkers as they jived!

Then the MERCY volunteers broke out into three different groups. I ran the "arts and crafts" station, where we colored mandalas while chatting about life.

It's a great fit for the residents who are not able to communicate easily verbally, or have a lower threshold for personal interaction or loud stimulation.

My husband, Joe, ran a rip roaring game of charades in the living room. The volunteers and residents had a great time acting out movie titles, songs, sports including professional wrestler stage names, and cartoon characters.

The third group met in the adjacent house, specially designated for residents over 65, where they played... you guessed it... Bingo! Everyone is always especially charmed by one of the residents, an adorable 80 year old who is the "sweetest little old lady ever" and is very good at using her "cuteness powers."

After about an hour of activities, we all gathered together again for farewell song and good night prayer. We sang a favorite, "I've Got Peace Like A River," gave hugs and bid each other a good night!

As you can see, it doesn't take a lot of money to do a volunteer project like this. My coloring books are from a cheap dollar store! Nor does it need to take a lot of coordination, especially if you have your project on a set schedule: for example, "the third Thursday of every month." And it doesn't have to take a lot of time. Our visit lasts a little over an hour, starting after dinner time, and all of us can be home and in bed in plenty of time to get a good nights sleep.

There are certainly many wonderful big volunteer projects that do so much good. (My family recently travelled to the Philippines and participated in a humanitarian project). It was wonderful! But for those who don't have the time or resources to plan or participate in those, especially young families, I encourage you to do what you can. Even if it's only one hour a month, you will be amazed at the smile that will be brought to your own face and the faces of those you serve. There is so much good to be done in our world. Be a part of it!