The Gift of Giving...

With less than 4 weeks until Christmas morning, Children everywhere around the world have been busy making their list for Santa. This is the perfect time to give children the GIFT of GIVING... while teaching them the difference between NEED and WANT.

Once the their list is complete, take a few moments to go through it together. Ask them about each item on their list and why they asked for it. Pajamas to replace the ones they have outgrown - is a NEED; while the latest barbie doll or action figure is a WANT. It's important they understand that NEEDS are usually meant - while WANTS may not always be.

As they start to see the difference between NEED and WANT,  you can start explaining how some children in the world have a very hard time receiving what they NEED - like, food, shelter,  clothing, shoes, schooling etc. Since Christmas is a time for giving, ask them, What would they be willing to give up on their Christmas list that is a WANT ~ so that another child may get one of the NEEDs they do not have- like shoes, clothing.

Hope Unlimited is an organization that provides hope and meets the basic needs of the poorest children in Brazil, the street children.  Providing a safe place for these children to live, learn, feel safe and where they can thrive and grow into productive members of society. 

The Unwrap Hope gift guide is a wonderful tool to use in showing your child the NEEDS of these children. Let your child pick a NEED in the value of the WANT they have decided to give up.

To see the Gifts that are NEEDS for the physical, emotional and spiritual Survival 

of these Children ~ CLICK HERE. 

The final page of the Gift guide is the order form you can print out, complete and mail to Hope Unlimited or you can choose to do it on line by clicking the Give on Line link on the top right corner of that page. This will take you to the Donate page for Hope Unlimited ~ fill out the form...

NOTE: if doing on line 

at Program - select Where the need is Greatest

at Donation  - enter the total $ value of the Gifts from the gift guide you are donating

at Comment box - type in the gift(s) and quantity of each that makes up the total $ value of your donation.

The GIFT of GIVING is also the perfect gift for the person(s) 

on your list that have everything!

Join High Heeled Life and these other wonderful BlogLand friends 

Vicki - Joyful Expressions

Heather and Vanessa - At the Picket Fence

Laura - Decor to Adore

In making a difference and giving the poorest children of Brazil a thriving chance.

Thank You SUSAN - My Place to Yours , sharing with us the needs of Hope Unlimited 

and giving us the opportunity to GIVE BACK!

What does your family do to give back to others?

A Parent's Love ...

 From the time we are born.... Our parents are our world. They are the one's we run to when we are hurt, sad, don't understand something, are afraid or just need a hug.

They make us feel safe! Protected!

Parents take the time to walk with us in this journey of life..

Parents are the foundation for the adults that we will be...

Susan - from My Place to Yours ..

Wrote about the reality of what can happen when children - especially girls are born to parents who do not provide the basic necessities of  nurturing, caring and unconditional love.  Susan has also shared an opportunity for us all to make a difference!!!

(from Susan's post)

But what happens when there were no conscientious, caring parents?  When a young girl is abused ... or prostituted ... by her parents?  When she's taught that her only value is as a sexual object?  How can she possibly understand what true love is?

That is the reality for most of the girls at Hope Unlimited for Children. The concept of dating and marriage, love and family, evoke feelings of confusion and guilt and fear.  But their story doesn't have to end there ...

In Brazil, the Day of Love is in early Summer.  On that day, surrounded by godly women who love them, the girls at Hope Unlimited are taught about true love and purity and what it means to be of value as one of God's highest creations ... and loved by their Creator. As part of their celebration, each girl receives Valentines that show them they are special.  Valentines that come from people who took time to make a few extra Valentines for someone they don't know.  People like you and me.  It's a very small act that has a huge impact on the way young girls think of themselves ... and how they face the future.

If you'd like to join me in making Valentines for the girls of Hope, you can be certain you'll bring happy smiles and growing confidence into a young girl's life.  It can be as simple as making a couple of extras when you write Valentines to your loved ones ... or you can make an "event" out of it and involve your Sunday School class, ladies Bible study group, mission group, civic organization, Girl Scout troop, sports team ... parents of daughters.

Send your Valentines marked "Valentine Project" to

Hope Unlimited for Children

P.O. Box 2707

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

All Valentines received between now and the end of April will be translated and shared at the 2012 Day of Love celebration.  To read more about the Valentine Project, click HERE.

Susan, thank you for sharing "VALENTINE PROJECT"with your blog readers and giving us the opportunity to pass it on to readers of our blogs.  I encourage readers of Falling Off A High Heeled Life to not just pass this on but to get out your pens and send a card, or two, or three or ........ to the project. Let's let these girls know that WE CARE enough to let them know how precious to the world they are!! A handwritten card is priceless!!