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here is an amazing and totally easy family project that you can do immediately. in fact your kids (age depending) might even be able to do most of this without you.
1. grab an empty shopping bag.
2. clean out your pantry of canned or boxed food you won't eat.
4. leave this (now full) bag next to your mailbox this saturday and your mail carrier will pick it up for you.
the united states postal service is running the STAMP OUT HUNGER program for every community nationwide. they will get this food to the local food bank and help countless of people in need.
here is a link for more details: usps.com
the lesson: talking to kids about others who might not have enough food is an intense topic. know you child and what he/ she is capable of hearing/ understanding and think about how to share this information without scaring them. sometimes it's enough to say, "we have a lot and some families don't have much".
***added bonus: those oreos will no longer be there to mock you as you stare at them each morning while wearing yoga pants.
perfect earth day reading for young boys AND girls alike. this awesome book has projects FOR KIDS BY KIDS that help the environment.
to buy this book, see ACME LIBRARY on the right.
(this only works of you are on the acme sharing website)
so your kid has their costume, they are thinking of nothing else but trick or treating this weekend, you've got your flashlight and all is good to go.
SO, since you will be going door to door ANYWAY, here is a very easy giving back project/ lesson.
i posted about this last year for halloween so here it is again:
UNICEF has raised over $140 million and saved god only knows how many teeth from cavities.
if you don't know this program, it's where kids ask neighbors for pennies in lieu of candy. money raised is then sent in to help support the very worthy programs in over 150 countries.
since our kids will be at carnivals, class parties and more, they won't, in any way, be deprived of candy this halloween. so trick or treating can become about something else. i am not above bribing my kids to trick of treat for UNICEF and i will buy them their favorite candies in return (is this the wrong message?).
get your boxes at participating IKEA, PIER ONE IMPORTS or HALLMARK stores or
lesson: we drink clean water, not all children do. unicef helps provide for the kids who need water, medicine, food and education.
***added bonus: not hopped up on sugar, they might get to bed on time after an already over-stimulating day.
my kids eat the same lunch almost daily. peanut butter and jelly sandwich for one, and soynut butter and jelly for the other (who has a strict "no nut" policy at school, and yet, somehow they always let me in!).
making lunches is a deeply tedious task and one of my least favorite mom jobs.BUT since we're doing it anyway, here's a kooky idea...
what about a sandwich assembly line? a loaf of bread, a jar of PB, a jar of jelly, a butter knife and some ziplock bags. you and your kids can whip out a dozen sandwiches in no time flat.
take them to a shelter, a food bank or just hand them out on the street to those who look like they could use it. it is really fast and really fun and makes a really big difference to the people who are hungry.
the lesson: if we can help, it's our job to do so. this is the same lesson written here again and again but it's the lesson i really want my kids to own.
***added bonus: while you're at it make a few extras and stockplie for the week's lunch boxes.
By:
Meredith Alexander,
on 4/28/2009
Blog:
THE ACME SHARING COMPANY
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every spring BIG SUNDAY arrives and this year it is upon us may 3rd. this is a day where families everywhere volunteer to help a long list of organizations. similar to michelle obama's "call to service", this day asks you to just DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING to help out. anywhere.
i keep hearing schools talk about "100% participation" about different things from giving money to parking in the correct pick-up spot, BUT... what if we had a world where giving back had 100% participation? imagine what that would look like.
if you can't find anything near you, feel free to take ideas listed on this site and have your own "little sunday".
the lesson: true, our kids have homework and soccer and ballet and sunday school. our lives are FULL, but if we can expose them to helping and giving kinds of experiences, they will shine, grow and feel in ways that will reward not only the recipient of the help, but mostly your child. they will feel big and significant in the world. they can make a difference.
*** added bonus: i say SUNDAES for all participants of "big sunday"! of course, you'll have to organize the trip to ben and jerry's on your own.
the great american bake sale is an organization that helps you put on a (see if you can guess what i'm going to write next) bake sale!!! yay, you guessed right!
they send you a poster, give you the low down on sales, give you an email card to forward to friends and set up an account for you. sure, you could do all of this yourself, but somehow it seems so much more LEGIT.
TGABS (my acronym) gives all of the monies raised to a hunger relief organization in your neighborhood. this morning my son and his "girlfriend", charlotte, made a whopping $33. if i may go one step further, i would like to recommend baking rice krispies treats - they are the EASIEST thing on the planet to make. melt butter, add mini marshmallows, add cereal, stir and pour - THE END.
the lesson: basically it's "business school 101": make a product, market and advertise, sell and donate.
***added bonus: it's really fun, great to eat leftovers and who doesn't love sitting around begging people for a dollar.
in showing our kids how to treat others with kindness and respect, an easy target is grandparents. they will be overjoyed with almost anything (time together, a picture drawn, a hand of "go fish"). another fun activity is to have your children come up with a list of questions to ask the grandparents, "what was your favorite candy as a kid?", "what was the worst job you ever had?", what's the most embarrassing thing that happened to you when you were my age?"
if your kids don't have grandparents near by or at all, it is very easy (and deeply appreciated) to ADOPT A GRANDPARENT and brighten up a person's day. just google "adopt a grandparent" along with the city you live in, and you will find a long list of participating retirement homes.
the lesson: it is sometimes forgotten, but so invaluable to treat the older generations with the respect they have earned.
***added bonus: actually the mystery of what your child will get out of this experience is pretty exciting - the unknown... and maybe a hard candy.
By:
Meredith Alexander,
on 1/13/2009
Blog:
THE ACME SHARING COMPANY
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our new first-lady-to-be is a girl after my own heart. she's a mom of two, supports her busy husband, has understated style and wants everyone to give back. come on, we're 2 peas in a pod!
this monday, january 19th is DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR day and MICHELLE OBAMA'S day to "call to service" the entire country.
the m.o. for M.O. is to get everyone to do ANY kind of community service on monday, (which is also a school holiday, so we'll be looking for things to do). the idea is to "renew america together, one community at a time. it will take ordinary citizens working together with a common purpose to get this country back on track. this national day of service is an important first step in our continuing commitment."
this is an exciting project and one i hope you will consider doing with your families. to find local activities and to learn more about this national day of service, check out the website:
if you can't find anything that speaks to you, please browse the acme sharing archives with over 70 ideas for community service projects to do with your kids.
***extra credit - i would LOVE to hear from you. please let me know how you spent the day, how it affected your kids and what did or didn't work in teaching them the most important aspect of humanity: SHARING.
tuesday, november 11th, marks veteran's day. most schools are closed in observance, so here's how to spend the day with your kids...
locate a veteran's hospital near you:
chose one of the following, or make up your own:
bring flowers.
bake and drop off yummies.
bring a deck of cards and play GO FISH with a vet.
prepare a joke or song.
just go and meet some heroic people, shake their hand and thank 'em.
the lesson: teaching appreciation and acknowledgement of others makes a real difference in the type of people we are raising.
trick or treat for UNICEF is in it's 58th year!!!
they have raised over $140 million and saved god only knows how many teeth from cavities.
if you don't know this program, it's where kids ask neighbors for pennies in lieu of candy. money raised is then sent in to help support the very worthy programs in over 150 countries.
since our kids will be at carnivals, class parties and more, they won't, in any way, be deprived of candy this halloween. so trick or treating can become about something else. i am not above bribing my kids to trick of treat for UNICEF and i will buy them their favorite candies in return (is this the wrong message?).
get your boxes at participating IKEA, PIER ONE IMPORTS or HALLMARK stores or
lesson: we drink clean water, not all children do. unicef helps provide for the kids who need water, medicine and food.
***added bonus: not hopped up on sugar, they might get to bed on time after an already over-stimulating day.
thursday, september 25th from 5pm - 8 pm, COLD STONE CREAMERY will host the world's largest ice cream social (for a cause). free ice cream for all and donations will go directly to the MAKE A WISH foundation.
the new "make a wish creations" flavors inspired by jack and emily (two wish children) will be featured. seriously, how could you not go?
the lesson: it can be SOOO easy to give back. and it is always rewarding (but not usually THIS rewarding)
***added bonus: the obvious. except for those lactose intolerent.
ewww, it's gross, stinky, unsanitary and god only knows what else, but kids can get REALLY proactive about cleaning up trash at the beach or the park.
it is a strangely shocking thing to see a person throw trash out of their car window. hopefully our children's generation will never act this way, what with all the things we teach them about the earth, global warming and blah blah blah.
RULE #1 and ONLY - do not forget the rubber gloves from under your kitchen sink and make everyone wear them!!!
so grab a bag, lots of hand sanitizer and go.
come up with a game to get it done with flair. make up stories about who the people were who dropped these items and why, count the pieces and make a race out of who can get the most into the garbage bag or sing a jaunty rendition of oscar the grouch's I LOVE TRASH.
the lesson: without freaking out the kinder, talk to them about the effects of trash on animals; how a bird could choke on it, a squirrel can't digest paper or plastic. also share with them the pride of taking care of their world.
***added bonus: cleanliness. i'd say that's a bonus.
bake at home and deliver to your local fire house. this is an activity that's great for any age child, any gender and is possible in every city. no need to call to see when they're open, no need to make a reservation, it's the ole stand by. the women and men on duty are always very thankful, they are always happy to demonstrate the pole and even give your kids a chance to sit on the truck.
the lesson: this is a great way to show and teach appreciation. and it couldn't be simpler. talk to your kids about fire safety and how these brave people have chosen a life of danger to protect us.
***added bonus: for single moms, there's a good chance to meet a handsome stranger.
clearly not the most glamorous nor innovative philanthropic event, but a can drive is true americana. invite your child to make fliers (or print out a dozen copies on your printer) and deliver them door to door amongst your neighbors. these fliers should look something like this:
hi neighbor,
i am collecting cans for the local ___.
i will be back tomorrow around __ pm to pick up any canned food that you can spare.
thanks for your help.
sincerely,
your child's name.
when you go back to collect, don't forget some empty grocery bags, and a radio flyer wagon if you have one. once you and your child have delivered the cans, the next weekend's project can include teaching them to write thank you cards to those neighbors who were kind enough to participate.
if you are unable to find a recipient, any local church or temple will gladly take whatever you've collected and get them into the right hands (and mouths).
the lesson: talk about food. what they like best, when they feel most hungry, what they know how to cook, or what they want to learn to cook. talk about how your child never has to think about when their next meal will be or from where it will come; how some families aren't quite so lucky and how we can help those in need.
***added bonus: since getting yourself to the gym is your worst enemy, you will work those triceps lifting bags of cans for the afternoon!
hi meredith. inspired by you and your wonderful kid-philanthrophy blog, i put together a service project for my daughter for her first communion this sunday. she is 8. as one of her gifts, we are presenting her with a list of 6 local service projects she can pick from, and do with either my husband or me. we will book a date this summer on a day that works for our family & the organization, and she can pick from helping animals (shelter) to helping the homeless/hungry (food bank), to helping kids with disabilities. we created a "journal" page to also wrap up with her gift, where she can write the name of the project she chose, the date, reflections before she does the project (what she hopes to get out of it), and reflections after the project (what she learned). this she can keep as a memory and for posterity. after she gets back from the service project, we will have a special family dinner in our backyard (she picks the menu) so she can share with us her observations and learnings. not sure what you call this, but we named it "Celia's First Communion Service Project" and hope to do it again with our other kids as well. (Celia is our first.) we do whatever family volunteering we can, and we really want to underscore that the point of any sacrament or "spiritual" rite of passage is to reach out to others in need. anyway, thanks for your inspiration over the year/s. . .