“What is a risk we can take together as a family to make the world a better place?”This became an inspiring “car conversation” with our five year old as we discussed what we could do together for a Spark that week. Xander was getting ready to start kindergarten so we talked about kids needing school supplies so they can succeed in school. We decided that we could put together one backpack full of school supplies for a kid in need!
However, when I started looking around, there really weren’t any places that just accepted one backpack. Organizations that helped kids needed lots of backpacks. The conversation continued.
“Xander, what if we got together with our friends and instead of just helping one kid, we asked others to join us so we can help a lot of kids?” His response: “We need a team, Mom! We can all work together and really help!”
So, that’s what we did.
I contacted a leader at our church who works with non-profits. We chose to partner with School on Wheels, an organization that provides educational services to homeless kids here in L.A., to do a backpack drive with our church. Xander set a goal of 100 backpacks full of school supplies. The adventure began!
We had Xander draw a picture for the promotional material we were going to use and he even got to help announce the backpack drive at the Mayan, our church’s downtown venue. Soon, the backpacks began coming in, filling up our boys’ bedroom!
In three weeks, we collected 156 backpacks and were able to deliver them to School on Wheels! It took three cars, absolutely full, to transport them all! While we were there, we got to tour the facilities and our boys played with the kids who were there for after-school tutoring. It was a reminder to all of us to be thankful for what we have and that we can make a positive difference in the world.
More than anything, I want to raise men who have compassionate hearts for people in this world. I want them to know that they can change the world by “sparking good” whenever they can.
It is one thing to tell them this…it is quite another to experience it. A lesson learned through action is a powerful one.
We are already plotting our next “family Spark!” Together, we can change the world!
Mandy Inchaustegui is the founder of Hot Nites™-- an underground symposium designed to help married women cultivate unbelievable sex lives. She leads Celebrate Recovery at Mosaic Mayan-- Mosaic's flagship gathering in downtown Los Angeles. She is married to Anthony and has two kids, Xander and Elijah. To read more from her click here.