Volunteering as a Family

Source: Tween Parent Staff

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In theory, volunteering as a family is a great idea, but who has the time? We know that helping others fosters kindness, compassion, tolerance and community responsibility. That said, the thought of adding another item to your "good parenting to do list" can be overwhelming. We've come up with some ideas that are both easy and fun. We hope the fringe benefit for you is sharing a great experience with your kids.

• Start a penny harvest and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
  
• Put together a Healthy Kids Kit for orphans and sick kids abroad. 
  
• Make homemade dog biscuits and sell them to earn money for a local animal shelter. 
  
• Recycle household batteries for yourself and your neighbors. 
  
• Write a family email to a service member. 
  
• Assemble birthday bags to donate to your local food pantry. Cheerfulgivers.org has some great suggestions.
  
• Collect art supplies and donate them to a local hospital or to kids in a local shelter.
  
• Donate books that your family has outgrown to a local hospital or shelter.
  
• Set up a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
  
• Make holiday cards for residents in your local nursing home.
  
• Deliver flowers to a women's shelter on Mother's Day.
  
• Adopt an endangered species as a holiday gift for the family. 
  

To find out more about volunteering in your neighborhood and information about local shelters and soup kitchens check out the following sites: thevolunteerfamily.org, familycares.org, 1800volunteer.org, and idealist.org. 

Share your ideas and success stories for volunteering as a family:

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