Tag: charity

I thought I was practicing mindfulness, but I wasn't mindful enough

I thought I was practicing mindfulness, but I wasn't mindful enough
As I do about once every few months, earlier this week, I ventured out to drop off a bag of non-perishable groceries and personal care items to the local food pantry at my township office. I had a number of errands to run before a doctor’s appointment and was focussed on checking off items on... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
April 1, 2017 at 3:08 pm • 

My next chapter is at Bernie's Book Bank

My next chapter is at Bernie's Book Bank
After a long and winding search, I have officially begun the next chapter of my life as the new Event Manager at Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff. If you’re not familiar with Bernie’s Book Bank, its mission is to “collect, process, and distribute new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
January 19, 2016 at 9:23 pm • 

Full Moon Restaurant: Where everyone receives a free Thanksgiving dinner

Full Moon Restaurant: Where everyone receives a free Thanksgiving dinner
Do you dine at the Full Moon Restaurant? I first discovered the Full Moon as a first year student at Lake Forest College in 1989 when an upperclassman friend introduced me to this wonderful 24-hour truck stop just north of campus. Since that time, the Full Moon has been my second favorite restaurant. Second only... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm • 
Advertisement:

School supplies: All kids need them, but all kids can't afford them

School supplies: All kids need them, but all kids can't afford them
All across America parents are preparing to send their kids back to school (and some have already sent their kids back) and that can only mean one thing: shopping for school supplies. I loved getting new school supplies. Picking out my Trapper Keeper; new packs of college-ruled three-hole paper; new pencils and pens; new highlighters;... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
August 14, 2015 at 12:21 pm • 

Homeless Helper Bags

Homeless Helper Bags
If you’re a longtime reader of Little Merry Sunshine, you may remember how last December I was inspired by my Facebook friend Scott to make meal bags and pass them out to homeless people. That activity was one of the best parts of my year of 100 new experiences because it reminded me how grateful... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 27, 2014 at 9:37 pm • 

Elf on the Shelf turns this hater into a believer

Elf on the Shelf turns this hater into a believer
Unless you’ve been living under a rock without internet access for the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard of or come into direct contact with the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon that will shortly overtake the otherwise rational minds of parents everywhere. It appears the Elf on the Shelf began innocently enough, but has morphed... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 26, 2014 at 8:23 am • 
Advertisement:
  • Advertisement:
  • Advertisement:
  • ChicagoNow is full of win

    Welcome to ChicagoNow.

    Meet our bloggers,
    post comments, or
    pitch your blog idea.

    Sign in Pitch your idea Play games

  • Meet The Blogger

    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

  • Follow LMS on Facebook & Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Find LMS Elsewhere Online

    Instagram Visit Jessica's profile on Pinterest.

  • Monthly Archives

  • Tags

  • Categories

  • Advertisement: