Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as a family. Volunteering
--teaches kindness, compassion and respect.
--deepens family relationships. --gives kids a sense of empowerment.
--promotes learning about areas of interest, such as hunger, homelessness or human rights.
--doesn't require a lot of time.
--is fun.
--changes lives.
An excellent resource for finding volunteer opportunities is "The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering" by Jenny Friedman (Robins Lane Press). Visiting www.volunteermatch.org can help you locat volunteer opporunities in your area.
Here are my favorite family volunteering opportunities:
1. PREPARE A MEAL FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER OR SOUP KITCHEN. Even young children can help with shopping, washing vegetables, pouring and mixing. Older children and teens can handle more complex tasks. Our family loves this one because it's personal. Get large-quantity recipes at www.angelfire.com.
2. WALK, RUN OR SWIM FOR A GOOD CAUSE. We like our local CROP Walk, which fights hunger in our area and abroad. Other events fight such diseases as cancer and cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Kids can ask aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and neighbors to sponsor them -- just don't sent kids door-to-door without you! With hats and sunscreen, little ones can ride in a stroller or back-carrier.
3. ENGAGE IN E-ACTIVISM.
Many organizations' Web sites help you write to government officials or heads of corporations to support a cause. Examples include www.aiusa.org (human rights), www.cec.sped.org (children with disabilities) and www.maketradefair.com(helping farmers get fair prices for such crops as chocolate and coffee).
Young children can make phone calls, help send a fax, or dictate while parents or older siblings type. Enjoy great family discussions, too!
4. CLICK FOR CHARITY. One-click charity websites let you "donate" by clicking a button. For each click, sponsors featured on the page contribute to a charity.
Examples include www.rainforest.care2.com, www.povertyfighters.com and www.clearlandmines.com. You can find one-click charity ratings at http://kimberlychapman.com/charitycheck/list.html
Make the charity your home page, or add it to your favorites and click when logging on or off the Internet.
5. CLEAN UP TRASH ON YOUR BLOCK OR AT A LOCAL PARK OR BEACH. Pick a day with pleasant weather and put on protective gloves. Treat the family to a picnic or ice cream afterwards.
6. HAVE A BACKYARD CARNIVAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
Invite neighborhood kids for simple games and fun activities (www.familyfun.go.com/parties has great ideas). Put out a can on the refreshment table for donations.
7. JOIN THE BOX PROJECT.
Sponsor a fmaily in need in the rural U.S. Each month, send a box filled with clothes, school supplies, food and other essentials. You can exchange letters, too. Visit www.boxproject.org for details.
THERE'S A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TO FIT EVERY FAMILY. It may take a few tries to find the best fit, but the effort will pay off. Enjoy!
(c) 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC
Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC, specializes in helping women who are both professionals and parents to create balance. She offers teleclasses,workshops and individual and group coaching. Norma publishes "The Balance Point," a free e-zine, every other Friday. Visit http://www.normaschmidt.com
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareMoms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
When my firstborn arrived into this serene and peaceful household,... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
A certain educator was once asked at what point should... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
For several years now, I've told the following story as... Read More
Q. What's the right age to start giving a Bible... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
"Not another meeting!"That tends to be the reaction from many... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Parenting |