Ideas for keeping your child's memory alive...

Loving Acts of Kindness

Make cards with your child’s name and pass out when you do something nice for someone.  You can also make business cards with a picture of your child…IPrint.com

• Pay for the next person in line at a drive through, coffee house, etc.
• Buy $1.00 gift certificates and pass out to children at McDonalds for ice cream
• Make cookies for your neighbors and tell them why you did
• Hug someone at the cemetery, or put a card on the headstone of a child and invite them to call you.

Bring a Toy to a Child

On your child’s Birthday or anniversary of their death, bring a toy to a child in the hospital.

Bring an outfit, baby supplies, or a basket of baby necessities for a baby born on your child’s Birthday.

Plant a Tree

In your community’s park, or child’s favorite spot, plant a tree or place a bench.  Engraved markers are fairly inexpensive.

Form a Team

Participate in a walk or a 5K in your area for whatever cause you love, and form a team in your child’s name.

• Make T-shirts, Buttons, Flyers, and while you’re raising money, talk to your friends and neighbors about your child.

Hold a Garage Sale

Collect items from family and friends.  Donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.  Make signs with your child’s picture and let people know your generosity is because of your child.

DOT

Call your local Department of Transportation and Adopt a Highway.  Get a sign for the Highway that is in Loving Memory of your child.  It is free!  You and a team of loved ones will pick up trash a few times a year.  Pick dates that are important or special to you.

Enter a Community Event

Participate in an event where you do something FUN.  In Arizona, we do the Tostitos Salsa Challenge.  We make 15 gallons of salsa and talk to people about the Foundation.  Set up a table, make signs, bring pictures, etc.

Volunteer

Find something that you believe in and are passionate about…a charity, an organization, the police/fire, a hospital, a daycare…and volunteer your time, talents and resources.

Website or Video

Make a free website, or Power Point video.  Even if you’re not great with computers, the process may be helpful and therapeutic for you.  Scanning and uploading pictures, writing out text, choosing a song, putting things in order and completing the task will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

~E-mail editors of local magazines and newspapers when you do something to honor your child.  They seem to be very eager to publish articles about goodwill and people doing great things in their community.  Your child’s life was significant…let everyone know how much!