If You Want To Be Important...

Photo: bambola_world

"If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.

"And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."

From the "Drum Major Instinct" sermon, given on February 4, 1968 by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Who You're Helping

Want to know who will benefit from your efforts and donations?

Donated winter children's clothing will be delivered to Cambridge Children's Clothing Exchange. Adult clothing to go to CASPAR, On the Rise and the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter.

Food donations will stock the shelves at CEOC, St. Paul A.M.E, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, St. James Episcopal Church and others. Childrens' books will go to Reach Out and Read Programs at East Cambridge Health Center, Windsor Street Health Center, Cambridge Family Health in Porter Square, Cambridge Family Health Inman Square.

Fleece-blanket-makers at our last project learned new skills and made new friends

Your handmade blankets will warm folks at the YWCA Family Shelter and the Cambridge-Somerville Early Intervention program.

Handmade bookmarks will delight the clients at the Literacy Project at Cambridge Public Library and the Community Learning Center.

Handmade Holiday Day Cards will surprise and delight both elders served by Meals-on-Wheels as well as Cambridge veterans and service men and women who are stationed far from home.

And the emergency room activity kits will make family visits to Cambridge Hospital and Mt. Auburn Hospital a little less stressful for children waiting in the emergency rooms.

Thank you!

Cambridge Energy Alliance Lends A Hand

PHOTO:bitzcelt

How's this for a bright idea? The Cambridge Energy Alliance will sponsor a bulb exchange and host a variety of family friendly energy games at our site. Bring in your inefficient incandescent bulbs during our January 17 service event at the YWCA in Cambridge and exchange them for something a little greener.

Want to help in other ways? Check out the activities on the "Volunteer" tab above.

Don't Come Empty-Handed

PHOTO: CHI

On MLK Day, Many Helping Hands will be collecting foods, books, and warm winter clothing. All contributions will be sorted, boxed, and will go directly to Cambridge community partner organizations.

• Canned Goods
To benefit Cambridge food pantries. Canned soups, fruits, vegetables, meats and fish

• Children's Books
To benefit literacy programs in local schools, afterschools and pediatric offices

• Winter Clothing
To benefit Cambridge adults and children in need: Mittens, gloves, scarves, coats, new socks and other warm clothing for the homeless and shelter residents.

Please join us in collecting, sorting and delivering this donations to local organizations. To sign up, click here.

Hands-on Service Projects

Children's books will support literacy programs.

What will be doing at the YWCA on January 17th?

Here are a few of the projects we'll be working on:

• Making Fleece Scarves and Blankets to benefit at risk infants and children
• Making colorful bookmarks for the readers in Cambridge adult literacy programs at the Public Library and the Community Learning Center
• Creating Valentine's Day cards for Cambridge elders and service men and women
• Make Emergency Room Activity Kits for children waiting at Cambridge Hospital and Mt. Auburn Hospital emergency room waiting areas

Come lend YOUR hands!

To sign up for this event, click here.

Join Us at the YWCA and Cambridge Senior Center in Making A Difference This MLK Day

Photo: sushiesque

On January 16, you can join Cambridge friends and neighbors for an afternoon of service at the YWCA and the Cambridge Senior Center in Central Square. Come lend a hand and make a difference for people right here in Cambridge. For more information click here.