Encouraging Words
In November 2012, volunteers with Bayou City Blessings created Thanksgiving cards for the children in our program. This simple gesture led to the tradition of including “Notes of Encouragement” inside our weekend food bags, but not just on holidays! Volunteers work year-round writing notes with encouraging messages that are included in assembly events. These notes are as different as each person who creates them...making them all the more special for the children who receive them. Notes are simply written, or sparkly in art and design, but each with the same goal in mind:
to connect volunteers to the children in our program as a way to build community.
When we asked Alvin, a 5th grader at Blackshear Elementary, this question “What is your favorite thing to find in your Blessings in a Backpack bag?”, here is what he said:
“You have little cards in the bags that hope you have a good day and stuff like that. They make you have a great day and to want to just be proud of yourself.”
Alvin went on to say,
“A note that I got was so special because it said “God will be with you every day of your life” and that was really good so I kept that card for a long, long time.”
Mrs. Alicia Lewis, principal at Blackshear describes the importance of the note cards in this way:
'“The fact that someone took the time to write the note to them, makes it very personal. Even though it’s not addressed with their name on it, it’s still that someone took the time to care about the fact that “I know you are going to get this bag and here is this note just for you to encourage you, to help you.”
Mrs. Lewis further explains how notes help to build community at Blackshear,
“It goes back to relationships. The cards bring them closer to the people who are packing the bags and that is important for our babies. They want to know that other people are supporting them and understand the situation they are in but are still able to encourage them to know that the situation you are in does not stop you from being successful.”
Bayou City Blessings is grateful for all the volunteers who contribute notes of encouragement to the kids in our program. If you’d like to get involved in this effort, here are some general guidelines:
Postcard sized notes work best
Paper of heavier stock such as tagboard or cardstock hold up best to the transport and delivery from inside the bag
Age-appropriate messages for pre-K through 5th grade are perfect! For examples, click here for our Word of Encouragement PDF.
Notes can be decorated with stickers and art and can be seasonally themed.
Sign your notes with either “Your friend”, or just your first name. Please avoid using your first and last name.
Completed notes may be dropped off to Holy Spirit Episcopal Church; 12535 Perthshire Road; Houston, TX 77024 Monday-Friday between 9-4 pm or during normal business hours. Notes may also be mailed to this address.
