Packed. Shipped. Donated.

On Wednesday, the boys and I made one last stop at Target and Wal-Mart to pick up some more goodies for our care package.  We were able to pick up all of these items for only the cost of tax, and even picked up a little overage for some of our other purchases we made.  Isn't it amazing what you can pick up for nothing?  These are items that we don't need or use, but we knew some people who did.  Food pantries all over the country are in constant need of donations.  Here is a way to give back without straining your budget and pocketbook and to help make a big impact in your community.  Remember, every little thing helps and if everyone dedicated just a small amount of time to someone else we could all come together to make a big difference.  

(We also picked up four more free Healthy Choice Mixers Thursday morning from our favorite Jewel as a last minute add-on)

On Thursday, the boys and I headed over to Safety Supply Illinois where Aunt T works to box and ship our donations for the storm victims to Alabama.  SSI was generous enough to donate the cost of shipping and boxes AND 50 breathing masks, 6+ dozen work gloves and 10-100ct boxes of disposable gloves....what a great company, right??  Thank you so much Safety Supply for helping us to help others and giving such a generous donation.  Please go and check them out here.

Here are some pics of the boys and Aunt T working hard to get it all packed up.

In addition to what Safety Supply Illinois donated, here is what we contributed to the care packages for a total of 123 items at a cost of about $33 (that includes tax):

• 1 Nivea Body Wash
• 8-3pks of Ivory Bar Soap
• 5 Adult Reach toothbrushes
• 4 Aquafresh Kid's toothbrushes
• 1 Covergirl Mascara
• 19 packages Carefree Pantyliners
• 4 packages Revlon Emery Boards
• 2 boxes Jell-O Pudding
• 4 boxes fruit snacks
• 2 tubes Crest toothpaste
• 2 Revlon tweezers
• 9 Revlon toe nail clippers
• 5 cans cat food
• 4 Crayola Color Wonder coloring packs
• 2 boxes Cinnamon Cheerios
• 2 boxes Fruity Pebble Treats
• 1 coloring activity book
• 9 Healthy Choice Healthy Pasta Mixers
• 4 magazines
• 1 box Crayola markers
• 1 box Crayola crayons
• 2 travel size Colgate toothpaste
• 6 pouches Starkist tuna fish
• 1 bottle KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce
• 1 board game-Hi-Ho Cherry-O
• 1 Peter Pan peanut butter
• 2 packages Milk-Bone dog treats
• 1 package noodle soap mix
• 4 pouches instant potatoes
• 4 packages Gerber baby food
• 4 jars bubbles
• 1 Gain dish washing detergent
• 5 packages Glide Dental Floss

Plus, don't forget about all of the travel and sample size shampoo and conditioner that my local Walgreens donated (2+ dozen).  In the end, I think we gained more than we gave.  The boys learned an important lesson and gained skills that I hope they will carry with them.  I know I will put them to good use in the near future.