Parent Talk: Encouraging Kids to Volunteer

This past weekend, my friend’s 5-year-old daughter dressed up in a kimono and sold cookies, tea and fans from a small table set up in front of her building. She was raising money for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

Recently, I took my son to an event sponsored by St. Judes and Build a Bear, where we made bears with children from the hospital. For each guest that attended the event, a stuffed bear was donated to children at St. Judes. 

However, I don’t think my children do enough community work. Now that they are getting older and more fully grasping the concept of charity, I want them to grow into adults that want to help others.  

I’m a huge fan of Children for Children, which is now a part of Generation On, which partners kids ages 3 and up with various volunteer projects. Do you know of any local non-profits where kids can volunteer? Have you taken your children to a soup kitchen to feed the homeless or visited the elderly? If so, please leave any tips for us!

I am looking forward to hearing about all of the great experiences you’ve had volunteering as a family!