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At WellConnectedMom, we love to participate in opportunities to give back to others during the Christmas Holidays.\u00a0 For a couple of years we participated in the RAZ, Random Acts of Kindness Drive.<\/a> \u00a0 This year, as a Walmart Mom website, we are participating in the Fill the Truck toy drive at Walmart<\/a> and wanted to give you the details so you can participate too. \u00a0The Fill the Truck campaign will take place in 1,600 Walmart stores across the country. \u00a0There will also be collection bins inside 3,500 stores, for customers to drop off unwrapped toys up until to December 15th.<\/p>\n The Salvation Army is working with Walmart to provide gifts to an anticipated 10,000 children this year.\u00a0 They are encouraging Walmart shoppers to provide new toys and coats to children in need, to receive on Christmas.<\/p>\n This week, I took my kids with me to Walmart buy some toys help kids in need this Christmas. \u00a0We purchased some tech toys (of course!) and some non-tech toys to put in our local Walmart’s Fill the Truck event. \u00a0Our kids had a blast picking out items to give to the Fill the Truck event.\u00a0 You know the saying, always choose something for somebody that you’d like yourself.\u00a0 Well, they did!\u00a0 And no, we didn’t buy them a matching gift.\u00a0 The focus of the day was giving to others.<\/p>\n I love to involve my kids in opportunities to give to others. \u00a0It’s a great way to help our kids understand that there are kids out there a lot less fortunate than them. \u00a0Even just donating toys to a store bin, it shows your kids generosity and thinking of others at a time that most kids think about what their own Christmas presents might be. \u00a0I don’t want the idea of helping others to be a foreign concept to my kids, but instead, one that comes naturally and done often. \u00a0So I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to give.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Salvation Army was established in 1865, as a part of the universal Christian church.\u00a0 Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from the Salvation Army throughout the year.\u00a0 The Salvation Army provides services from assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, providing food for the hungry and those affected by disasters, providing clothing and shelter to the homeless, as well as opportunities for underprivileged children.<\/p>\n The Salvation Army is the same organization you see each year with the red kettles outside of stores. \u00a0Walmart has had a partnership with The Salvation for over 40 years now. \u00a0Last year, The Salvation Army received $46 million from shoppers outside of Walmart and Sams Club alone to help those in need.\u00a0 Wow.\u00a0 Americans are generous people and it’s amazing how all that change adds up!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n My kids had fun choosing which toys to pick out. \u00a0They were very conscious about ensuring there were a fair amount of toys for both girls and boys. \u00a0We had $100 to spend on gifts to Fill the Truck, so the kids decided to calculate their spending by starting at $100 and subtracting out what they bought. \u00a0I was pretty impressed with them. \u00a0By the end of our fun shopping spree, I had long lost count of our total, but my kids knew exactly how much they spent, rounded to the nearest dollar. \u00a0What an added bonus that they got to help others while improving their shopping and math skills!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here’s what we ended up with. \u00a0My kids preferred to give 10 presents for 10 kids rather than only a few large presents for a few kids. \u00a0As you can see from the cart, they did pretty well. \u00a0We couldn’t resist buying a few “well connected” toys too, such as the robot, Dreamlights (which light up the ceiling), and a Tonka Rescue Force truck (only $10!).<\/p>\n At the front of the store we found this Fill the Truck bin to put our goodies into. \u00a0Some stores will have a cardboard Fill the Truck bin, while others have smaller bins like ours.\u00a0 If you can’t find the one in your store, just ask a manager. \u00a0Sometimes there’s a bin near the cash registers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The kids and I had a great time shopping together. \u00a0I have to say it was liberating, in a sense, to buy something for someone who have no expectations.\u00a0 In fact, the kids receiving these gifts probably don’t even think they’ll be getting anything for Christmas.\u00a0 What a joy to give in this way. \u00a0I invite you to join my family and dropping off a gift or two in one of the Fill the Truck or Toys for Tots bin at Walmart. \u00a0It just might be a small gesture like this that leaves a lasting impact on your child…and another child you’ve never met. \u00a0Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe Salvation Army<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n\u00a0A Mom’s Perspective<\/span><\/h2>\n
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