A Big Blessing in a Little Bag
Friday Afternoon I was given the opportunity to interview an old friend from middle school along with her son Kaden for a Program that he came up with on his journey to receive a badge for the Cub Scouts with helping the community. Thought it takes a long time to actually receive the badge this was not a deterrent for Kaden a eight year old who has a love for the outdoors and loves getting his hands dirty. He had an idea, and he and his mother helping it come to fruition.
While Kaden has always been a sweetheart and is use to helping the community his mother was quite surprised saying “I was really shocked when Kaden came to me with his idea. He loves to help others but never really had the focus for a bigger picture.” With the help of his mother and local homeless center Refuge for Hope, along with their church Trinity Brethren Church Kaden’s Blessings Bags has gone from an amazing idea to actually helping out people in need in the community of Canton, Ohio.
While they have complied a list that has many items that are taken for granted by most. Each of these things can make a huge different to someone less fortunate. When asked what items were the most Important for blessing bags Kaden said with no hesitation “every item is important but water and snacks along with chapstick are what I think are most needed.”
Kaden’s program has become a huge help also receiveing items from local business getting into the action. One local business even donated 42 bottles of 2 in 1 shampoo and has plans to help even more in the future. The Principal of Kaden’s school as also come up with the idea to made it a service-learning program for the children at the school.
April has made a facebook page for Kaden’s Blessing Bags on Facebook which a total of only 168 members and counting. Some even from Arizona. There is also a localized drop area where people from the community can drop off any items they would like to donate. By working with Refuge of Hope they are given the chance to help 50 to 200 people a month. Making sure that everyone is given the chance to receive a bag.
They have even gone as far as to always keep a bag in the car because you never know when someone can use a blessing.
If anyone would be interested in helping out with Kaden’s Blessing Bags the Picture above has listed all the items that at needed to make up a bag. But I’ll list them again
1. Chap-stick
2. Razor and Shaving Cream
3. 3 in 1 hair an body wash
4. Kleenex
5. Wet wipes or baby wipes
6. Tooth brush and tooth paste
7. Deodorant
8. Q-tips
9. Bottle of water
10. Healthy snack
Extra items that are always needed:
- Nail clippers, hand sanitizer, comb, and pairs of sock
- For women pads or tampons
- A small pocket bible
For more information you can contact April Stepp by calling or texting 330-371-3471 or emailing aprilann112@yahoo.com