The Inspire Channel is a non-profit organization I founded in 2015. We look for random ways to help and encourage people in our community, our state, the nation, and other parts of the world. We especially love to inspire children.
One of our favorite events is called an “Art Party.” We invite ten kids to attend and provide transportation if needed. Kids hear a lively Bible lesson and do a creative art project that relates to the story. We serve a nice lunch and top it off with cookies and cake. But the biggest treat of the day is that each of them goes home with a large kit of art supplies.
We watch throughout the year for great deals on art supplies and purchase them for future Art Parties. When COVID-19 hit, we had ten art kits in storage, fully stocked, and ready to go.
I asked my daughter, Cassie, “What do you think about giving the art kits to some kids now since they are confined at home? We aren’t going to be able to have an Art Party any time soon.”
“Oh, that is a great idea!” she said. “I know lots of kids who don’t have anything like that at home.” Cassie is an art teacher, so she contacted the counselor at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Huntsville, Alabama. The school was already distributing food to families each week. The counselor suggested handing out the art kits to kids through the same venue.
The next week when families opened their boxes of food, ten kids found extra surprises to brighten their days—crayons, markers, doodle pads, paints, paintbrushes, construction paper, chalk, and clay. Though we didn’t get to see their smiles in person this time, we were blessed just the same to spread a little inspiration in a few colorful ways.
Becky Alexander has three favorite words: adventure, ambition, and attitude. As a tour director, she leads tours to Washington DC, New York City, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and other destinations. Before her travel adventures, she taught kids about Jesus for 25 years as a children’s minister.
Becky writes magazine articles, devotions, short stories, and children’s curriculum. Her work has appeared in Christian publications, such as Parent Life, Experiencing God, Special Education Today, Pockets, Christian Living in the Mature Years, and The Lutheran Digest.
COFFEE with God celebrates new life with 30 devotions about birds, babies, butterflies, and flowers. Each devotion includes a Scripture, life application, prayer, and place to write personal thoughts. This book will brighten your day, with or without caffeine. Five North Alabama authors collaborated to write and publish this devotional book.
https://beckyalexander.tv/beckys-book/
I’m so glad you thought outside the box and were able to get art supplies to those children! Thank you for serving others!
Oh, thanks for the encouragement, Suzy.