April was a wonderful month full of hugs, feeding those in need, and picking up in Our World. All of these events are our normal gives back events and on the calendar for the rest of the year, so plan your year out and sign up now as we’d love to see you each month. Our monthly Sack Lunch Pot Luck event, where we make 30 sack lunches for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS) is a perfect opportunity to bring kids and get them involved with service. It’s a guilt free happy hour as we’re having fun while serving others, so join us!

Our Global Free Hugs Event on April 18th was amazing! The weather was perfect, I was hugging solo in Stevens Point WI, Judy was in Michigan hugging, Carol and team were here in Chicago, and the pictures of huggers from all over the world is amazing.  I love the pictures of huggers in Belgium that were sent in.

Helping outside of our service events: LPCS is in need of the following items: Acetaminophen and Excedrin. Other items are store gift cards, Men’s and Women’s clothing and gently used shoes and personal care items, bus passes, breakfast items, coffee, tea, magazines, movies, Twin bedding and blankets for their bunk beds. I would be happy to be the drop off point and bring to the Shelter.  So, even  if you are unable to make it to one of our many events, there are always ways to give.

RSVP: Please remember that it is important to honor your RSVP commitment to our service events as other agencies are counting on us to fulfill the obligations of serving their community. We would prefer you to RSVP via our main calendar, CLICK HERE, or you can RSVP on Facebook if needed.

Like us? If you like what we’re doing at Positive Focus – especially our gives back programs, please invite your friends to join us as the more we grow….the more we can serve.

I look forward to seeing you soon at one of the many PF Events, and we are always looking for Co-Organizers for the Gives Back events, so please contact me if you have ideas for other gives back events or other organizations you would like us to serve. We’ve played bingo with seniors, handed out flowers with affirmations on them, and other random acts of kindness. So join the PF Gives Back Team and help bring some positivity into others lives.

Hugs to you!
Cathy Landerholm

Upcoming Gives Back Events:

15th: Feed the Homeless, Feed the Soul

16th: Free Hugs

17th: Operation Sack Lunch

GIVER PROFILE:

NAME:  Diana Kerwin

CITY:  Chicago

1. I volunteered at these PF Events: Sack Lunch for the Homeless and Good News Kitchen serving 150 meals a day to needy families
2. I volunteer because: I wanted an activity that I could do with my daughter that was positive and to give back to the community.  It has been a wonderful way to meet great people with varied backgrounds but all with a wonderful outlook on life.
3. My favorite volunteer experience: Sack Lunch for the Homeless.  We have a small group with great discussions and meet new people each time all while giving back to the community.
4. My Hobbies: I love to spend time with my daughter; she plays soccer, piano and drums.  My work as a physician, yoga reading, music.
5. You might be surprised to know: I am planning a volunteer medical trip to Haiti this summer.

What our Givers are saying: (comments from the past months Gives Back events)

Free Hugs:

Free hugs never cease to amaze me. It started out wet, cold, and windy and I thought we might hug for 10 minutes. The rain stopped before we started, the sun came out and we gave out around 800 hugs! Truly an amazing free hug day! ”

Global Free Hugs Day was…wonderful…It always is. It’s a completely different experience every time that has such an unexpected lasting profound effect on me.

This was sooooo much fun!!! Thank you!!!!!!

Another amazing day of Hugging! there was a great vibe amongst the people who shared in the Hugs and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The best, as always!

Sack Lunch:

Wonderful group of friends, new and old. Such stimulating conversation, common vantage point of Positive Thinking and Openness.

Smaller group than we’ve had but still great fun and good conversation.

Great group last night for sack lunch. Great new people and love the conversation with Carol, Bob, John, Jeff and Cathy, very positive experience and inspiring group. Thanks again for hosting Cathy!

Such a great idea to make food for the homeless while getting to know each other too.