Pantipalooza Re-Visited

I got several questions yesterday about my pantipalooza and I thought that I would try to explain it a bit today.

I try to post a list of the things that I am thankful for every 1-2 weeks. Usually the list is very simple because I believe it is so easy to over look the small blessings in my life. When I can bring my focus back to the little blessings, I tend to get a larger picture of just how wonderful my life really is. I take things for granted and I am truly a blessed person.

Then there were the hurricanes.

Bebo's school sent the word out to the parents and the community that they would be taking much needed supplies to the stricken areas. I went that day to help load the trucks. I noticed an older lady hanging around with a large sack. She caught my eye and motioned me over. I have never seen so many feminine personal hygiene products in my life! She told me that she was struck with the thought of how horrible conditions were and how much worse they would be to a woman who was *in need* of those such products and could not get them. I was blown away because that thought had never occurred to me and she was so very right. After that day, clean panties have always been on my thankfulness list. What a privileged to be able to go the dresser and just get another pair out.

Not all women have that luxury. Whether it be because of natural disasters, poverty or domestic violence, not all women can just go to their dresser drawers. Some women do not have dresser drawers.

Pantipalooza was born on my blog last year. I chose to do it on Valentines day to celebrate women in my life. Check out my blog entries for February 2006 if you want to read more about it.

I have a quote on my desk that means the world to me and I think it fits with all of this. I believe it also applies to each of us and I see each of you practice it already. It is from Ghandi:**It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.*

When I was at my lowest, there were several different women that played a role in my life. Some daily, some with words, others with actions...some I never even knew their names. I am who I am, in part, because of the seeds that they planted.

So each month, I buy panties and put them back in a big plastic tub. I asked the Crisis Center Director what sizes she needed me to buy. Her answer, *Always buy your size to donate. Then you will be helping someone that is just like you.* So....that is what I do. I also have girly stuff that I buy through out the year and stash back. Things that I find on sale, with coupons and at thrift sales or garage sales. All the stuff that I donate is in perfect un-used condition. I take my things to our local crisis center. Last year, several bloggers around the US did the same thing. I do want to stress that this is NOT a Mindy thing...this is a a joint effort for all involved.

I am in hopes that Pantipalooza is even bigger this year. This year I will challenge you to be ...

Panty Providers!!

Comments

  1. Mindy ... this is fabulous! I think you should do a grid blog about it ...

    Sonja

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know that my local women's shelter was surprised and delighted (if a bit befuddled) last year when I showed up with my gift bag of Haines. It's a great idea, folks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I made the lady at the Women's Center in Amarillo cry last year. She worked for Catholic Family Services when we needed their help, and she said it was just so nice to see someone giving back, because they had been blessed. I told her that that is how it should be. Pantipalooza lives here in Happy, I will of course recruit more volunteers this year. Just like last year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous5:17 PM

    Great blog.
    It makes us appreciate the little things we sometimes take for granted.

    http://z6.invisionfree.com/denominations

    ReplyDelete
  5. Put "PANTIES" loud and proud at the top of the Wally World list. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:55 AM

    It's a great idea, Mindy. I'll see what I can do this year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow. Clean panties and feminiene products within arms reach will hit top of my thankful list. Tought, with my dad at the table I proably will nt say aloud, " I am thankful for Kotext!"
    Anywya, great blog and hope you ahve a great holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Opps! Strike the last "t!"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9:22 AM

    Dear Mindy,

    Count me IN this year! Last year PPalooza escaped me...life just plain interfered.

    So this year I'm going to add to my schedule: have PPalooza shopping done by January 1! Just like my schedule says, have Christmas shopping done by November 15!

    Ha ha, it never works but it gives me a GOAL to strive for! And post photos of what I am collecting....
    discreet photos of course!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous9:23 AM

    ps: what's a grid blog?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous9:49 AM

    Yes - NEW, IN THE PACKAGE underwear, plain white tees, socks of all colors are frequent needs in clothing cupboards. Smaller sizes of men's usually go faster. When we did 'love packs' for a soup kitchen, we bought all the sample packs of tampons we could find... the women were THRILLED. And it is a sad commentary on how great their needs are, that they were happy to get them...

    Great food for thought on the day before Thanksgiving - thanks...
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  12. Isn't this wonderful! I always send toothbrushes(I wanted to be a dentist when I was little). I will absolutely contribute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You know I'm in again. February will it be? Just remind me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I brought this up at our Deacon's meeting at church last month. We will be having "Undy Sunday" this year the first Sunday in February, and donating it to the local charity that serves needy persons regardless of legal ciizenship status. (It is the only place undocumented persons in our area can go for help.)

    Thank you, Mindy! You are a love.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Count me in! Around here the face of poverty is largely aboriginal, so I will be sending my fresh-in-the-package undie purchases to the local aboriginal centre.

    Undy Sunday! I love it cheesehead.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Panty providers arise. I am in with this. Thanks Mindy for your posting thanks and for getting the panties.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I am a girl who LOVES attention. Comment + attention = happy Mindy!

Popular Posts