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4 Service Projects to Teach Your Kids the Gift of Giving
One of the goals of good parents is to raise their children to be responsible, caring adults. They try to use the events of the day to teach lessons about how to be respectful to themselves and to others. Children enjoy having a lot of things and may not realize that there are other people not so fortunate. When parents teach them how to give to others, it is a valuable lesson that will carry into adulthood. If you are thinking of ways to teach your children how to give back, then consider some of these options.
Food Banks
Even younger children enjoy helping bag up items for the needy at a local food bank. Your children will often meet other children who do not have enough food. As a family, you could donate one day a month to work in the food bank or soup kitchen. Maybe afterwards, you can go do something fun and discuss the events of the day. It is a great way to teach your children gratitude.
Habitat for Humanity
This is a charitable project that would be an ideal summer project for older teens. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for the homeless. Often times, they use recycle good building materials that were donated by construction businesses. It is a chance for your teen to learn some building skills and share in the joy of seeing a family get a new home.
Adopt a Family Charity
Find out what interests your children and find a charity that works in that field. Some charities have local chapters in which the children do hands-on service. If they love animals, consider getting them involved in your local animal shelter or the American Humane Society. There are charities for just about any cause. One popular one is Newgate School, where they take donated vehicles and train new mechanics how to fix them. Then, the cars are donated to needy families.
Adopt a Grandparent Program
Unfortunately, there many elderly people who live in nursing homes and never get to see their families. Many of them suffer from depression because they are so lonely. These wonderful seniors still have a lot to offer. There are a lot of nursing homes and assisted living facilities who welcome and train volunteers to be friendly visitors.
Your children’s grandparents may live across country or perhaps they passed away. The Adopt a Grandparent Program matches young people with seniors who would enjoy the company. Imagine your child’s delight when they hear some of the wonderful stories their adopted grandparents have to share. No senior should have to spend his or her golden years alone.
Your greatest legacy for your children is the lessons you taught them throughout life. If you teach them how to give back, the kindness will eventually return to them. Sharing and compassion are virtues that will never go out of style. The more they are practiced, the better the world will be for future generations.
