Adopt a Native Elder (ANE) Food Boxes

Yesterday we met at the Adopt a Native Elder (ANE) warehouse where we prepared boxes of food for the elders. I was very impressed with how efficient the loading system was. The directors said they had learned from the many times they had done this. They had a train of shopping carts traveling around in a circle and these carts were loaded with two boxes that were then loaded with food as they were pushed around the warehouse. I don't know how many boxes were loaded that morning, but as you can see in the picture, this was a large operation. If you're interested in volunteering with this organization you can learn more at their website, http://www.anelder.org.

As we were working, the thought kept coming to me of how happy we are when we are serving. It seems to come so easily when we're doing something for somebody else. I was loading these boxes with a bunch of people I had never met, other than the few I knew from our service group, and really enjoying myself. Smiles were given out free of charge. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and helping each other. Once again, I can't help but say - we can be free forever serving others.

Working With the Down Syndrome Community

On Saturday, March 21, we got to help out the Salt Lake Down Syndrome community with one of their events. Some graduate students at the University of Utah helped them coordinate an event in which the children were entertained and watched while the parents were able to do some networking and give each other some mutual support. The kids were hilarious! We had a great time. We played with a parachute and balls (remember the good times in elementary school?) and one of the little guys insisted on crawling out onto the parachute while we were raising and lowering it. He was quite persistent. We also learned some sign language, and got a visit from some animals at the Hogle Zoo. The desert tortoise was by far my favorite.