Veritas Shines

Here are some scriptures to pray with your children: Philippians 4:4-9, Psalm 91, Psalm 23, Matthew 6:9-13, Isaiah 41:10.  The website 24-7 Prayer has some good prayer guides as well.

24-7 Prayer Website

Marbridge has closed it’s campus to all visitors and volunteers due to their population being highly at-risk.  They are asking for volunteers and families to send the residents cards or activities. The cards/notes/letters can be inspirational, jokes, or just a picture drawn and colored by your kids. Get more information by clicking the link below.  Mail completed cards to:

Marbridge Website

Operation Gratitude provides care packages for our military around the world.  They created this list of ways to participate in #VirtualVolunteerism.  The activities include:

1. Handmade With Love Items. There’s something about receiving a handmade item that warms the heart, especially when you’re deployed. If you’re in a group that knits, crochets or sews, we are calling on you to get out your needles and hooks and redouble your efforts during these challenging times.  For teams that love to craft, consider hand-making greeting cards. Every Handmade With Love item is an expression of deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our recipients.

2. Make Paracord Bracelets. We include handcrafted paracord bracelets (link to instructions) in every one of our Care Packages because they’re both functional and meaningful. Members of your group can purchase the cord in bundles of 5 by visiting Operation Gratitude’s eBay site.

3. Write Letters. We hear time and again that handwritten letters are the most cherished items in our Care Packages. Sign up to participate and receive more details here.

All items created for Operation Gratitude can be shipped to:

Operation Gratitude Website

Project Linus is an organization that provides handmade blankets to children in need through local chapters.  Blankets can be crocheted, knit, quilted, or no-sew fleece. Their webpage has instructions and patterns.  The blankets can be dropped-off at any JoAnn’s location during normal business hours.

Project Linus

Meals on Wheels accepts handmade cards, placemats, decorated brown grocery bags, and homemade pet toys year round. Completed items can be delivered to :

Meals on Wheels

Ideas for making placemats can be found at https://poetryteatime.com/blog/teatime-tip-diy-placemats-for-kids

Ideas for making homemade pet toys can be found at https://www.rover.com/blog/easy-diy-dog-toy-octopus/ or https://www.prouddogmom.com/diy-dog-toys/

Check out the CTFB for the ways to help those facing food shortages during the pandemic.  A list of other Central Texas food pantries can be found below.

CTFB Website 

Additional Food Pantries

Hospitals and those working with individuals with the coronavirus are running low on medical supplies.  To help them, you and your family can make safety masks for them to wear.  These masks have been approved by the specialists at UT Health San Antonio for use.  Here are text instructions for making the masks, and here are visual instructions.  To donate completed masks, click below.

How to Donate Masks

ADRN has launched a virtual Prayer Hotline to assist individuals who are struggling with fear, anxiety, financial hardship and more. Volunteers are needed to work from their home to answer calls from people seeking prayer. Volunteers only need a home computer or smart phone to volunteer and must be or become an ADRN volunteer. For more information on becoming an ADRN Volunteer and Prayer Hotline Operator, click below.

More ADRN Information

The Trotter House is a community outreach assisting women and families in an unplanned pregnancy and beyond. They are hosting a bi-monthly drive-through event for their clients.

They are looking for donations through either their Amazon Baby Registry linked below or from this list: 

• Blue Similac
• Similac sensitive
• Enfamil
• diapers for newborn and size three, four, five, and six
• baby wipes

Amazon Baby Registry

If you purchase items while making your grocery run, they can be dropped-off on the front porches of any of these homes:

In Lost Creek: 2107 Ringtail Ridge

In Travis Country: 5806 Republic of Texas Blvd

In Circle C area (Meridian): 12217 Buvana Drive

This opportunity was shared with Veritas Shines by Trisha Grafton.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Trisha at Trisha.Grafton@VeritasAcademy.net.