Heliping Children Give

Since my talk with Lil D about giving more to people in need and our community I started checking around the internet to see if I could find some volunteer work or charities that younger kids can get involved with. I found some that sound great. Here is a few of the charities I have found that can be put into action by my children.


Color a Smile

Children color pictures and send them in. Meals on Wheels then delivers them to the people they assist. A fast and easy way to bring a smile to someone and brighten their day.

Snazzy Hats

Make hats for chemotherapy patients. This site gives you details on how to go about doing this, and places you can send your hats off to.

Make A Child Smile

Children are able to send cards, drawings, and little gifts to very ill children. Children who really need something to look forward to.

Operation Goody Bag

Children can decorate brown paper bags, fill them with the supplies suggested, and send them to Operation Goody Bag. The Goody Bags will then be delivered to the military first responders, as well as fire rescue and any other people who risk their lives to respond first when we need them.

Cheerful Givers

Make Goody Bags for a child’s birthday. I think it would be good idea to have my children do this while we are planning for their own birthday. That way they are giving at the same time they are receiving.

These are a few of the charities I have found that are suitable for children of all ages, from very young to adult. The site that I got these from also has organizations for older kids and teens and how they can become involved.

You can view the list for more ideas at Go City Kids

If you have any ideas on how to get kids involved in their community or with charity please let me know.



Be a little pencil in the hand of God
who is sending a love letter to the word.
-Mother Theresa

Charity

Lil D and I were snuggled on the couch as I read to him from our Children’s Bible. I decided to read him the Sermon On The Mount. I read from the Bible and then Lil D and I would talk about what exactly Jesus was telling us and how we can follow what He was saying in our own life. We were having a sweet Mother son moment

Lil D then asked me a question I didn’t really know how to answer. He said, “Mom if you saw a homeless person on the street would you bring him home to stay with us?” I looked at Lil D for a minute and wasn’t quite sure how to answer. I decided to tell him the truth, and said no, I would not invite a strange homeless person into our home.

Lil D had a look of surprise on his face, like he could not believe I said no. He said, “Why Mom, Jesus would.”

Explaining that there is bad in the world to my children really upsets me. Whether it is about strangers, mean people, or whatever. It seems every time I have to talk about the cruelty of the world to my children they loose a bit of their innocence.

I had to explain to Lil D that I would not bring a random homeless person into our house because I could not be sure if he or she were a good person or not. I could not risk it if the person was dangerous.

I told Lil D I would give the person money, food and my prayers. As I looked into Lil D’s eyes I wished that the world and the people in it could be trusted as much as my little guy trusted me.

After Lil D and I were done with our reading and our talk he looked at me and said, “Well if they can’t come over than the next time I see a homeless person I am going to bring them a loaf of bread and a jar peanut butter.” My heart swelled up and I just gave him a hug and said Jesus would love if you did that.

I am glad Lil D was shocked when I said I wouldn’t invite a homeless person into our home. I hope when it comes to helping people in anyway shape or form Lil D will always be shocked at people who don’t do it.

I think it is time I looked at how our family helps those in need and see if there is more we can do. I want to show Lil D and the rest of my children that there are ways we can contribute to the needy. I need to put more action into the words I tell them when I say it is our duty to give to those who have less than we do.

If my little guy is willing than I should be too.