Project Outreach

Here is a basic run down of outreach programs you can implement into your group:

Birthday: Celebrating members birthdays is a small way to show you care. Collect this information when they register and you can choose to include them in a newsletter; send out birthday cards, or hold a monthly birthday party (we do this for the kids), small gifts, etc.

Dinner Fairy: The basic idea is to help out families in need; perhaps they just had a baby, or family member in the hospital, etc. Members sign up to take a meal to the family; so at least they don't have to worry about dinner. Check out take them a meal website for help and ideas.

Mentor Moms:  This is something my MOPS group does; Mentor moms are moms who have graduated from 'preschool mothering' and can offer help and advice to current members.  They might do outreach calls to moms who have a check-in or gather local resources, etc.

Congsinment and sales: Grouping together to mutually benefit financaily is a common idea. Hosting a multi-family yard sales or consigning to share a booth for those crafty mamas who sell bows, and sew nursing covers, etc.

Mom's Day Off: Gathering volunteers to watch the children while mom has a few hours to herself! Oh glorisous day! A word of caution: If you find yourself tempted to do this it is a daunting task. I would suggest you contact a lawyer to give to legal advice on the service, background check the child care providers and have all emergency contact information for all the children available! Safety is numer one in terms of our children!

The basic idea of outreach is to coordinate programs that make the members feel like they are one of the family. My goals for having a group is just that; I'm looking for family I can count on. Being a military wife away from family, my playgroup is my family. I want them to feel that way too.

Charity: Adopt a family

One things that I love to see is how a group of people's lives. You can see it all the time: extreme home makeover (T.V.) , newcasts, habitat for humanity, salvation army, etc. What touches me the most is seeing the individuals gratefulness.

Adopting a family may not be the way to 'spread the love' as widely as possible. But I believe it is the most uplifting, and inspirational. This year I hope to adopt family for Christmas. Next I hope to adopt a family for Thanksgiving, and Easter as well.

Each member in your group can donate a small item or group together to buy larger items. I know one playgroup that donated a Christmas feast, two gifts for each child, a 'mom's care basket' (spa items), and a dad's vacation (recreational items for fishing). They also donated some basic supplies, like toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, and and Albertson's gift card.

I can't imagine what a wonderful Christmas this must have been for this family. I can guarantee you one thing; they will never forget that playgroup.

So the question remains how to find a suitable family to adopt. Start with your church's officiant. Many of them are already hearing the cries for help as people seek out help from God.  If you can't find one from there, you can contact the salvation army, or other safe harbor shelters for a referral. I make it a point not to pick moms from within the group simply for the fact that I continue to think of this project as a community outreach program.

I would be extremely happy if this year we could provide a simple gift for our family; anything else would just be a plus. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!