Photo by Jamiesrabbits

By now, most of us have seen the pictures and listened to the news of unspeakable disaster in Haiti.

We can’t possibly imagine the loss and devastation. And we feel deep sorrow for these people, many of whom will never embrace their mother or father or child again. They are alone in a land of ruin. 

Photo by United Nations Development Programme

In a week this will be old news. For us. 

Our children are watching to see how we react in situations of this nature, even when we feel strapped financially. Do we sympathize but sit back? Do we let someone else take care of it? Do we make excuses? Do we wait for the news to pass? 

These are somebody’s children. Dead. Missing. 

Photo by United Nations Development Programme

I’ve written before about my family’s core values. One of them is Responsibility: We have a responsibility to ourselves, to our community, and to our world. 

If I value the fact that I have a responsibility to be a positive force in the world, then I shouldn’t think twice about donating money to Haiti relief. I don’t say this as someone who has extra cash to spare. I don’t. I say this as someone who feels that this is what I must do. 

Photo by United Nations Development Programme

It won’t be long before my daughter starts to hold me accountable. Do I act on my word? Or are my words empty? 

We must act. Our children are watching. 

Please join me in helping to rebuild Haiti: 

Our Chance International (My family is personally supporting this organization. Thanks to the donations, a medical team is responding at this very moment.)

Doctors Without Borders

World Vision

and many more!

This is part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom. 

Looking for some ways to inspire a lifelong commitment to service and kindness?  Join over one million children this Saturday, August 8th, for The Great Kindness Challenge!  This event was created by Kids for Peace, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to “uplifting our world through love and action.”  On August 8th, children worldwide will participate in as many acts of kindness as possible in an effort to be peace-makers, committed to serving each other and our planet.  

Let’s all stop for a moment and spread the love!  Here are ten of my favorite activities from The Great Kindness Challenge Checklist (You can download it directly from the website):

1. Take a treat to your local firefighters
2. Help clean up a park
3. Leave a flower on someone’s doorstep
4. Make a wish for a child in another country
5. Bring a teddy bear to a child in the hospital
6. Cut out 10 hearts and leave them on 10 cars
7. Write a thank you note to your mail carrier
8. Wash a neighbor’s car
9. Host a lemonade stand and donate proceeds
10. Compliment 5 people

Let’s add to the list.  Please share your family’s favorite acts of kindness!  Even the smallest kind deeds have the power to make a BIG difference.  Thank you for helping to make our world a more peaceful and compassionate place!