Texoma Area Living Well Magazine September/October 2022 | Page 42

Family Volunteerism

Teaching Kids Civic Responsibility Offers Rewards for All By KIMBERLY BLAKER

“ Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more , but those giving more .”

– H . JACKSON BROWN JR .

Volunteering is an excellent way for families to make a difference in their communities and offers lots of benefits to those who volunteer their time and skills . First and foremost , nothing is more rewarding than knowing you ’ ve made a difference in someone ’ s life . What ’ s more , volunteering raises kids ’ sense of civic responsibility . It ’ s a great skill-building experience and offers socialization opportunities for kids and adults alike . It also makes for an excellent bonding experience with your kids .

Regardless of where you live , countless volunteer opportunities are available — and there ’ s something to fit every family ’ s talents and interests . So share these ideas with your kids to see what triggers their enthusiasm . Then make a family plan to put it into action .
Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry . People that are impoverished or homeless are always in need of nutritious food and meals . Search online for local soup kitchens and food pantries . Then call and speak to the manager , and offer your family ’ s service . Be sure to mention the age of your kids in case there are age restrictions . At a soup kitchen , you can help prepare and serve a meal or do kitchen cleanup . For a food pantry , help with stocking or putting together food baskets for families in need . Some pantries also need delivery assistance since many low-income families don ’ t have transportation to pick up their food supply .
Help out at an animal shelter . Cats and dogs spend days , weeks , and often longer cooped up in small kennels or crates with little opportunity to exercise or socialize . Offer to spend an afternoon walking dogs or playing with cats . There are many other things you can do for a shelter , too . You can transport a pet to a new home , clean kennels , donate supplies , or help find loving homes through social media .
Adopt a road or park for cleanup . Most states have adopt-a-highway programs . These typically require a signed contract for a period of 2 to 4 years with a promise to clean up a designated area 2 to 4 times a year . Alternatively , you could pick an unsightly city street and head out to clean up the debris . Keep kids safe by requiring them to stay off the road and picking up litter only on the boulevard . If you have younger kids , park cleanup is a safer option .
Paint a park bench . Benches can be found in parks as well as shopping districts and along bus routes . Contact your city hall or parks and recreation department , and request permission to freshen up a bench . If your family is artistic , ask if you may do something creative to make it more cheerful .
Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity . This organization helps build and renovate homes for families in need of safe shelter . Visit habitat . org to find your local Habitat organization , and ask how you can help . Habitat also offers a teen volunteer program .
Send letters to military members overseas . Veterans , new recruits , and deployed troops deserve and need to know just how much we appreciate their dedication and service to our country . For more information , visit https :// www . operationgratitude . com / writeletters /
Hold a coat , blanket , and backpack drive for the homeless . Homelessness exists in every community throughout the country , whether visible or not . Homeless people are always in need of warm coats and blankets as well as a way to easily carry their bare necessities . Coordinate with a local homeless shelter , and set up several drop off locations throughout your community . Then create and pass out flyers in your neighborhood , on parked cars , and at street corners . You can also post flyers on grocery store and laundromat bulletin boards , share them in social media , and email family and friends to help spread the word .
Help an older adult by running errands . Do you know an older person who doesn ’ t drive or own a vehicle ? Offer to transport them to do their errands and grocery shopping . If it ’ s too difficult for the older person to go out , you could offer to do the errands for them .
Put together care kits for homeless shelters . Ask local businesses to donate items for the homeless care kits you plan to create . The following are useful items to include in each kit : toothpaste , toothbrush , dental floss , a comb , bar of soap , shampoo , a package of hand wipes , razor , shaving cream , protein bars , and other small useful items . Any food items should be non-perishable and require no preparation .
Help someone who ’ s visually impaired . Search online for your local organization for the visually impaired and offer your help . A visually impaired person may need assistance with cleaning , cooking , yard work , or errands . You can also ask the organization about other ways you can help .
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