Organizing community service projects for kids is the best way to instill a sense of compassion and outreach in the younger generation. Becoming involved in the community at a young age makes one more likely to volunteer as an adult, so consider some of these ideas for your children or teenagers.
Environmental Awareness
Have your child’s classroom plant trees and flowers at their school. Plan a fieldtrip to a community park to pick up litter. As a family project, plant a vegetable garden together and donate some of the harvested produce to a local food bank.
Giving Boxes
Make it an annual tradition to pack Christmas shoe boxes for needy children. You can even make a spring cleaning event of donating your child’s unused toys to children’s hospitals or families in need. To get the entire community involved, hold a Stuffed Animal Drive and donate all the collected toys to a homeless shelter. The same can be done for slightly used clothing and shoes.
Global Awareness
Sign your child up to become a pen pal of an overseas soldier. Regularly put together military care-packages and encourage your child to make his or her own decisions as to what goes into the packages. Your family can even sponsor an overseas child. Keep his or her picture on the refrigerator so your child can be more aware of how important it is to give and help others.
Elderly Care
Organize an adopt-a-grandparent program between your teenager’s high school and a local nursing home. Encourage your child to visit their adopted grandparent regularly. For younger children, have them make cards or draw pictures for nursing home residents.
