Lullo/Paterkiewicz/Carpenter Family Service Project: Feed My Starving Children

Though there was no text to accompany these pictures, I am not sure there should be. They speak for themselves.

And, I may have shed a few tears of joy. What a family we have.

This is what they participated in: http://www.fmsc.org/. I have participated in this in the past and it is a truly life-giving experience.

Burhan's Family Service Project: Kalamazoo Food Drive

In honor of my Grandma Carpenter and her passion for volunteerism, the tradition continues... All across the states, my aunts and uncles and cousins have volunteered in their communities during the holiday season instead of exchanging gifts with each other. Bill, Andrew, Rosie and I were lucky enough to be able to volunteer with our friends and family at the Kalamazoo Food Drive.

Andrew and Rosie were excited to see their cousin, Emily!

How appropriate - Rosie sorting her favorite food!

These guys were fast! Especially Bill and his boxes of beans!

We may have gotten separated a few times among the hundreds of volunteers, but we managed to find each other by the end!

Aunt Marty, Uncle Mark, Walter and Grandmom wrapping things up!

Lullo/McCarty Family Service Project: Cross-Cultural Ministries

As a part of our church small group, Kevin and I have the opportunity to partner with a group called Cross-Cultural Ministries.  As described on their website (http://www.ccmatlanta.org/), "Cross Cultural Ministries operates a non denominational center for children ages 5 to 18 who want to benefit from education and school subject tutoring in a Christian environment, various clubs, and family support."  We don't get to serve with them as often as we would like, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to help them prepare for Christmas.  On Saturday December 14, Kevin and I spent several hours labeling, sorting, and preparing gifts for the children who participate in CCM's activities.  While we didn't get to see the joy on their faces as they received their gifts, we had a great time being the elves behind the scenes and imagining how loved and cared for they would feel when they received what would likely be the only presents under their trees.