When my kids go back to school in a few weeks and their teachers ask them, “How did you spend your summer vacation?” I hope they have all sorts of fond memories of long days at the pool, endless nights catching fireflies, and time spent in laughter with family and friends. I also cross my fingers that the time they dedicated to helping others will linger in the forefront of their minds as some of the most meaningful, proud days…
Charity Goes Online! Five Ways to Give and Serve From Your Computermy world • bettering communities
I grew up going from one service project to the next at our local church group, at my dad’s community club, at my school, and to places and functions that supported my mom’s various causes. I learned at a young age what Polio was and service became equivalent in…
RSVP for Tuesday’s Twitter Party With the Make-A-Wish FoundationIf you could be granted just one wish, what would it be? How would it change your life? How would it make you feel? The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Most children wait until school is out to get their…
Sweatshirt Blanket Invites You to Spread Your Warmthmy world • giving organizations
No matter where you look there are any number of incredible organizations out there doing great things to help those in need. Regardless of their mission there is one common theme all of these organizations share—the need for funding. With so many different worthy causes, the problem people have, especially…
Build-A-Bear’s Huggable Heroes Program Rewards Giving ChildrenBrands have great charitable outreach partnerships that make it easy for kids to give. But, fewer of them have programs that reward kids for their own community service efforts. Build-A-Bear does both in spades. I was so impressed with their community involvement and mission that I took the…
Teaching Children to Give—Involving Them in Charitable Programsmy world • raising giving children
The single most impactful thing you can do to teach your children to fall in love with giving is to involve them in giving activities, discussing throughout them why you are giving (what the cause is for) and how it makes you and the recipients feel. Sometimes, identifying volunteer…
Teaching Children to Give—Reindeer Candy Canes as Thank You’smy world • raising giving children
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is my favorite holiday movie. I love it not only for its whimsical characters and witty rhymes, but also for the lessons it teaches in true Dr. Seuss fashion. The one that stands out to me the most is individual choice. The…
Teaching Children to Give—Reindeer Cookies as Holiday Neighbor Giftsmy world • raising giving children
When I think of favorite holiday activities, giving is the first one that comes to mind. I love seeing all the Angel Trees around town, collection bins for the Food Bank, boxes accepting winter coat donations, and much more. That so many organizations are centered on helping those in…
Changing Your Community Starts at Home With Secret Service AgentsWhen we think of service, we tend to think of giving to others outside of our home. Serving in your own family is sometimes harder than it seems. So our family came up with this fun way to give service to each other, right here at home. We now have…
Mom It Forward This Halloween by BOOing!Check out these great Halloween boo-ing ideas from fellow blogger and friend, Cindy Hopper from Skip to My Lou. She shares how it’s not to late to Mom It Forward Halloween style to your neighbors, family, and friends! What’s more is this is a perfect family activity! In her…
