In today’s fast paced environment, we often don’t have the time to do a whole lot more than what we are already doing. But, instilling the value of community service into your children at a young age is important, no matter how busy you are. Here are some things we have done as a family or with a group of friends that really don’t take up that much time, but still give you a sense of giving back to your community.
1. Send letters: A lot of schools nowadays are doing letter writing campaigns to the soldiers, which is really great. The soldiers need our support, and some of them don’t have any family that will write to them to lift their spirits. If you don’t have a soldier to write to, you can visit www.lettersfromhomeprogram.org and send a letter to the address provided and they will forward it on. If you’re already participating in a letter writing campaign overseas, don’t forget about people who need company here in the states, or in your own country. Too often, our senior citizens are forgotten, and many of them don’t have friends or families, either. You can contact your local assisted living home and ask how you can send a letter to somebody in need.
2. Pick up trash in your neighborhood: On a walk with a friend of mine and our children, we noticed that every so often, there was a piece of trash here and there that must have been missed by the street sweeper or the trash collectors. The next time we took a walk with the kids, we brought plastic bags and started picking up those pieces. The kids even received a letter from our mayor thanking them for keeping our streets beautiful.
3. At my children’s school, they have a fine arts group that sometimes goes out to the Senior center and they sing to the folks there and they all love it. You don’t have to be part of an organized group to do this. Grab your kids and some of their friends and teach them a few basic songs. Even if they don’t sound like pros, your audience will be thrilled to see them.
What do you do in your town?
Whether you pick up trash, write a letter or get involved on a grander scale in your community, teaching your children to give back is so important. There’s nothing like leading by example, so while you’re encouraging your children to do it, you do it too!