But what do we really DO?

Many of us save our recyclables or have changed our habits to be more "green".  We also say prayers for people in need, donate when the occasion comes up.  But at the end of the day, how much labor can we really say we've put into saving the environment or to helping other people?  If you're like me, not much.  There always seems to be a time, money, or priority conflict that prevents me from the grand acts of selflessness that I know in my heart we should all contribute to our world each day.

Denise Miles is not like me.  Denise not only has a heart for other people and the Earth we live on, but she also has a "DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" attitude.  She's focused in her career, her relationships with the people around her, and her conviction that, being blessed beyond measure, she is socially responsible to DO whatever she can to make others' lives better.

I was humbled when Denise started telling me about the process she goes through to turn shopping bags into sleep mats.  She reminds neighbors not to throw away their plastic shopping bags, but to give them to her instead and keep them out of a land fill.  Her goal is to create one bedroll a month in 2011 and she works almost daily to reach that goal.  For someone sleeping in the street, her dedication means a dry, padded, and light-weight bed.

Denise broke the process down, step-by-step, for me and I was thrilled to find it was actually something *I* can DO!  Size L crochet needle $1.38.  Plastic bags found in homes we've visited as we road trip, I've started my first mat.

Think you might like to try it?
Watch below as Denise demonstrates how to make bed rolls from waste plastic bags.


Thanks to Pearson Homes for allowing us to shoot this project in the kitchen of their model home in Hampton Station.


The same technique can be used to create mats for other purposes, such as seating mats for kids' classes or as a water-proof layer for any camper or picnic goer.  Mats are practically weightless and easily cleaned.

Denise will be demonstrating the bag making project at Goldsmith-Schiffman's upcoming "Green Fling" and training the children to assist in the process by saving, cutting and tying the bags.  Many thanks to Denise for being an inspiration and for sharing this great idea!

Do you already have a favorite "give back" project.  What do you DO?  Comment below or post a link.