Volunteering Teaches Important Principles: Ten Ways to Get Them Involved

Teaching a child to find the joy that comes from volunteering will not only be rewarding for both of you, but it may also open new doors in your child’s future.  Through these actions, the child is likely to meet new people who may become friends and allies down the road.  He or she will also be improving his or her chances at gaining entrance to top colleges, making it more likely that he or she will receive grants to pay for it, and even boosting the resume given to potential employers.  There is so much for a child to gain from volunteering, so why not get yours involved.  Here are ten great ways to do just that.

Serve Dinner At The Local Homeless Shelter Though this act is most common during the holiday season, help is needed at homeless shelters year round.  Offering one’s time to help those who are less fortunate or have hit a spell of bad luck can be fulfilling and fun.  This is also a great way to get the whole family involved in a single activity.

Organize a Clothing Drive If your child is really motivated, then it might be a good idea to let him or her organize a charity event.  Clothing drives are great ways to get clothes, jackets, and footwear to the people who need it most.  These can be purchased items that are donated or lightly used clothing that is not being used anymore.

Organize a Toy Drive Similarly, during the holiday season, many families could benefit from help with Christmas gifts.  Children who are fortunate enough to have an abundance of toys are likely willing to part with some of those that are rarely played with.  These toys that are still in good shape will likely be loved by those children who are less fortunate.  Your child might also ask others to buy small ticket items and donate those as well.

Walk, Ride, or Read for Charity If organization of such an event is a little out of reach for your child, then perhaps it would be better if he or she participated in an already scheduled event.  Many walk -, ride-, and read-a-thons are open to child participants.  These can be a fun and entertaining way to raise money for a good cause.

Write to a Soldier It might not seem as monumental as handing a toy to a very sick child, but the men and women who are overseas fighting for our freedom would certainly love the attention.  These individuals who risk their lives can spend months upon months or even years away from their loved ones and will likely find renewed spirit when hearing from the younger generation.  There are many organizations that a child may join in order to get the letters or small gifts to one of those brave men or women.

Consider Scouting Many children find volunteering alone an overwhelming or unpleasant thought, but the opportunity to do so with friends holds a great deal of appeal.  Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H, and other similar groups offer children companionship and the opportunity to help others.

Help Animals There are millions of cats, dogs, and other domestic animals out there that are left without a home or have been abused by their owners.  By volunteering with an animal shelter or clinic, a child can help the defenseless creatures who simply want someone to love.

Visit the Nursing Home Volunteering doesn’t have to mean a long term commitment.  It can be something as simple as visiting a local nursing home to carol during the holidays, perform a short play with friends as entertainment, or just sitting and listening to the stories of the elderly.  The residents of such places are people and by nature enjoy the company of others, even though it is common that physical and mental illness keeps others at bay.

Help a New Student Again, it is important to remember that volunteering does not always mean signing up for some large event or reporting to the hospital or shelter one evening per week.  Spreading kindness should be a way of life and it might mean simply helping a new student adjust to his or her schedule and providing that student with a place to sit at lunch.

Tutor Those Who Need Help Some children are better suited to simply help out at school, which is not only fine, it is wonderful.  If your child is very bright, then he or she might be the perfect person to volunteer to tutor others at school.  Typically, districts will have a program in place to help those that struggle with course work.  Your child will likely be welcomed with open arms.

Volunteering comes in many forms.  It does not matter at all how your child chooses to reach out to others and help the local community.  All that does matter is that he or she wants to do so.  That comes from the parents, so encourage your child to try something new that is sure to benefit someone else.