The following is a guest post by mom of four and founder of A Spark of Kindness – Amber White.
My husband and I decided long ago that making a concerted effort to raise our children to be loving, giving, and kind was extremely important to us.
We started out small:
- Help the neighbor carry in their groceries;
- Help your little sister put together her puzzle;
- That quarter you found on the ground? That can go to a Salvation Army Bell Ringer who is collecting change; and,
- Say one nice thing to everyone in the family every day.
From there, it grew:
- The boys save up all their change and give to charities;
- They donate toys to children that don’t have any;
- We have done projects with a boy’s group home;
- We write letters to soldiers overseas; and
- We’ve made ornaments for residents of a senior home.
Little things, yes. But important things.
I used to volunteer for a national non-profit that helped empower women (namely mothers) to do more in their communities and to become leaders. The part I loved the most, was setting up service projects in my community and watching how happy it made the mothers and their children to do something that changes someone else’s life.
When I left, I decided to start my own organization working with children and showing them how they could be involved in giving back to their community. It can be challenging to find activities for young children, but it IS doable.
Below are some additional ways you can help your kids give back.
- ChemoAngels: Chemo Angels matches cancer patients with a pen pal, of sorts. Your child can write letters, draw pictures and send cards.
- Ronald McDonald House: Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay for families whose children are hospitalized at no cost. Children can get involved by making cookies, decorations, collecting toiletries, and older children can volunteer to clean the house, do yard work, and more.
- Habitat for Humanity in some areas offers programs for children to help with aspects of home building, and more.
- Hospitals all over the country have patients that would love to receive cards during holidays.
- Meals on Wheels programs love having paper bags decorated for food that is delivered (or colorful placemats!)
- Soup kitchens will often allow children to do after-meal clean-ups, or talk with guests.
- Kids can sell lemonade at yard sales to raise money for a cause.
- There are many organizations that take old toys (in good shape) for those that don’t have any.
The earlier your children start, the earlier and easier it becomes for them to make kindness a part of their everyday lives. So, pick something and run with it. You’ll be amazed at how happy your whole family will be.
Giving back will change their lives, and it will change yours.
What are some things you and your kids do to give back?
Amber White is a married mother of four, who lives in Knoxville, TN. She is the President and Founder of A Spark of Kindness. A Spark of Kindness strives to inspire our families and our communities to embrace kindness, thoughtfulness and giving as part of their everyday lives.
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