mzdiz,I have a few pillows that are made from old couch cushions.Of course they have been bleached and washed,or I wouldnt offer.They are always washable for re-use and are very comfortable.They dont die like regular pillows.A friend of mine makes them for us and my mom has a few she has never used.If you are interested,let me know.Im not sure where re-useable items fall on your "can give" list.

For those of you who think we did this because our new President asked, you're wrong. We both are always doing something for someone else...people, animals, our church, community or who ever needs it.

And if you're looking for a cause or an immediate need- the YWCA is in desperate need of pillows. The women and children who stay there get to take their pillows with them, so the YWCA is in constant need of new pillows. Donate some new pillows or look for the "Pennies for Pillows" cans at area businesses in the next few weeks. By the way we're organizing that too!

If there are any charities out there where stuff is given away for free,Im cleaning my garage tonight and will have SEVERAL items to go where they are needed.Please contact me at freestuffatangels@yahoo.com

Rex, One of the reason I chose to do a food drive was because of articles in the Gazette that mentioned area food banks were suffering because of the layoffs in Janesville. Because of that it seemed pertinent to do a food drive. I applaud anyone who does community service. I received a call from the Presidential Inaugural Committee in December asking me if I would organize an event for the National Day of Service. I thought it was a great idea because it was nation wide. Some groups collected toothbrushes for kids, others picked a specific area to clean. The ideas were endless. Whether people have done service before or this being their first time, what matters is that they are getting involved. Why should it matter if someone who had never gotten involved is NOW involved. The point of the National Day of Service was to inspire people to action. And it did just that. Area food pantries received over 500 bags of groceries and personal items. This does not mean that it is over. This is something with no dates or end.
President Obama asked for our help and we gave it. What can be wrong with that? It matters not that the story wasn't headlined National Day of Service but that the message was sent out. I hope and know others will be inspired to do more by this story. My father was a community servant and because of his service he inspired all of his children how important it was to give back. The first project I got involved with was going into the inner city in Racine and painting houses for the poor. I'll never forget it. The point is does it matter who the volunteers are and what they have or haven't done before ?
Just because someone got the message 6 months ago does not deter from the new volunteers who got the message now. The message is what's important.

Rex, The purpose of the NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE was to make people aware of the possibility that they could do something to help others. Not the first time this has been done and not the last. Why so critical of something good? Whether it was Bush or Obama who suggested this it is a great idea. Part of the purpose was to bring people together to work for the good of others. My father taught me that community service was important. My father turned the light bulb on over 50 years ago. I have volunteered all my life and so has my friend. This crosses party lines.

My point is that the first paragraph of the story feels the need to emphasize how Obama's comment's "inspire" these folks when the fact is that the Gazette has been running stories for the last 6 months how food pantries and other non for profit agencies need help. In other words, if I'm writing the story, then why not lead the piece with the fact that it's the National Day of Service? Instead, we play the angle that, until Obama suggested we do something, it wasn't apparent to these people. Hey, guess what, I've been paying attention the past few months and I've donated food, clothing and money to non-profits, and I did so long before having to suddenly being "inspired" by the President's words. In short, my point is more about how the story is framed and less about the total message.

optimism and serious, I can say honestly,I have always been a giving person.To do this free thing I have going on was a miracle I never thought this could happen to someone like me. It is the best thing I have ever done. It has brought my family so much closer and opened our eyes so much more than they ever were before. I cant wait for spring so we can do it again ! Believe me,I can tell you first hand how awesome our community really is! I never saw it until I got involved !

People have been doing this long before the big O came into the scene This community has always had a helping hand and thank you Gina for doing a good thing. And Gm and other places did this for years and I pray our city keeps doing what they can as the job losses will bring more demand on these places.

optimism.I thank you.The kindness has always been in my heart,I just never really knew how to put it to use until this last fall.I understand your feelings about ppl giving because they were asked to. Look at Christmas,for instance.EVERYONE was willing to pitch in but now all,it seems they gave up after Christmas,like people are not in need year round.I better shut up,,,,sorry !

Of course, optimism, it's wonderful when people are "self-starters" and go out and "do unto others"-but it's nice also when some others see a project in progress and get motivated. As angelwings can tell you, people often join in a charitable endeavor after someone else instigates it-but that doesn't make them any less caring. As with her neighborhood give-away, it's doubtful if anyone would have started bringing things to her home to hand out to those who needed them unless she already had it started-but that doesn't mean they didn't care before that-they just needed a jump-start, and her project was it in for some. Or-they might have been charitable before, but found this more convenient, more to their liking, whatever. Charitable hearts aren't really formed by another-but someone else might provide an opportunity to act.
As far as whether it is solely the church's territory, the president's idea (who even claimed that?), or whether it should be completely non-sectarian-I would have never believed there'd be an argument over ownership of human kindness-it's as old as humanity-and everyone should take ownership. And everyone who has earned it should be allowed to claim ownership-but those who really deserve credit would decline to accept it.

Angelwings...I totally agree with you. If a person acts in the midst of kindness for selfish reasons, or because someone told them to, it is ungenuine and will not be as effective. We do need to allow others to believe that the Lord or whoever places things on their hearts if that is their will. It is not one's place to take that away from them, nor is it their place to tell other's to do as they do. We all have our time and place to do the right thing for the right reasons.

And whoever said one person doesn't make a difference?? This is so inspiring. I am thinking of ways I can help my community right now. Thank you Gina! ANd all of the others who supported this mission. I feel blessed to call you all my neighbors. ;~)

The $200 million is for contraception, not abortion.

sorry,I should clarify that I love Obama and voted for him.

Some slam me, some appreciate me and benefit from mine and others kindness. What does Obama have to do with that? Or the bible? It is simply called human kindness and generosity! This world needs more of it RIGHT NOW!!!

Very true aletheia. More social programs instead of allowing the church to do what it was intended to do. I wonder if people realize what they have done. By taking Christ out of everything, they have eliminated the need for the church to do it's job. Take care of those in need, the widows and the orphans. There would be no need for welfare if this were not so. Then we have a president who wanted a stimulus package that included $200 million dollars in abortion money to stimulate our economy. Ridiculous.

ps...if you look closely you'll see my Obama button !!

Billy Ray, If you would have read the article more closely you would have read that the people in the picture were the people who organized the food drive. A photo op was set up by the Gazette. Actually we both had Obama shirts on as we had celebrated the Inaugaration with the people we had campaigned with earlier in the day. No where in this article does it say that this was a "new" idea. A huge "Thank You" to all the people who donated to this cause.

Yay BillyRay! If it took this article and discussion for you to discover what you can do to help the least of these-the things that have been going on in our communities forever, and well documented but apparently unnoticed by some of you-then it was well worth being written and discussed. (You apparently didn't notice, these women were ALREADY volunteers, they just took this invitation to do one more thing in the average volunteer's busy itinerary.) There will be several opportunities for you in the spring (ie; CROP Walk in April, Postal food drive in May-you must have missed the yearly write-ups). You're newly kindled interest means I'll see you there, right?
By the way, who is this anti-christ you speak of, and how come you bring it up here?
And whybesad-you're right-to each his own charitable endeavors, but you then already knew this article was not unique, right? Why do you guys call Obama the messiah? Was that his idea or your own?

Whatever floats your boat. I have been donating time and money long before the messiah told me to. I'm glad people have taken the steps to help the less fortunate. It's to bad they couldn't have started before. But, it's good that they started.

rex, Billyray: Do you ever have a case of "selective readingitis". This large donation project just happened to be "collected in CONJUNCTION with National Day of Service (initiated by Obama) and Martin Luther King Day."
You both comment that the Gazette acts like no one ever thought of doing it before Obama had the idea. Silly. Very silly. If I participated in such an event sponsored or initiated by a school, a church, anything else...wouldn't it be silly if that school, church, whatever, was never mentioned in any articles related to it? (As a matter of fact, I have, and the Gazette never mentioned Obama when covering it) So an event triggered by this "National Day of Service" initiated by Obama should not mention his name?
I was going to say "I suppose you think people give too much credit to Christ for Christmas, too." but decided you would read more than what I intended.

Does it really matter whos idea it was or is ? We need to come together and help people . These ladies did that. It really can be that simple .

BillyRay: Is that an Obama shirt? Wow, I didn't even notice until you mentioned it. Cool!

I think it is safe to say Rex did not donate .
Don't ever forget the power or karma Rex ! Shame on you and your negative attitude .

The Gazette (and other local papers) regularly does (do?) articles highlighting volunteers in many forms. Often articles appear stating what's being done, why it's being done, who's doing it, and what/who else is needed.
Where ya been, Rex?

Great job! And to the Obama-basher, Rex: I hope you can get a grip on your resentment soon. Otherwise, it might be a very long four (or eight!) years for you.

It's too bad all volunteers don't get recognized for all their efforts. This event just happened to get some publicity. I've been volunteering my whole life because I was raised to know that that there is always someone, somewhere that needed help, or had less than I do. Kudos to the 2 ladies who did this! I filled my bag and took it to ECHO where they commented "Oh how we love to see those blue flyers attached to the bags". Thank you to the Gazette for doing such a feel good story in a very critical time in our community where the need for volunteering should always be brought to the forefront. Rex - save your time and energy - volunteer instead of criticize!

Rex, The purpose of the NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE was to make people aware of the possibility that they could do something to help others. Not the first time this has been done and not the last. Why so critical of something good? Whether it was Bush or Obama who suggested this it is a great idea. Part of the purpose was to bring people together to work for the good of others. My father taught me that community service was important. My father turned the light bulb on over 50 years ago. I have volunteered all my life and so has my friend. This crosses party lines.

So apparently the thought to volunteer their efforts couldn't have come at any time in the past 8 years. It's only now that president rock star suggests it that the light bulb finally goes on. Well, thank goodness we don't have those evil conservatives picketing at the doors of the food pantries anymore preventing folks from donating goods. Hallelujah, it's a new era. I'm so inspired I'm got to leave now, I think a bird just flew into my patio window and I'm inspired now so I'm going to mend it's wing.

This is great to see how people can get together to do these one-time projects. A lot of people don't volunteer, I suspect, because they're worried about longterm commitments. But, this shows that anyone can come in and do a small project and help the community. Thank you!!!

Thank YOU!