I would like to get my family (dh, ds, & myself) involved in some type of meaningful service/volunteer work in our community. Something that would involve a few hours a couple of weekends a month. I'm going to check into a group I know of that works on cleaning up parks and green areas in our town. Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd like to stay away from anything too harsh (helping out victims of abuse, neglect, drugs).

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 06:49 pm:

Visiting nursing homes and reading books, letters, newspapers to nursing home residents? Working at a food bank to put together the food packages they give out?

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 06:50 pm:

My local library is often looking for volunteers to help re-shelve books.

By Tunnia on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 07:44 pm:

My dks are ages 12 and 8 and have been involved with volunteer work since they were quite young. It's a very rewarding experience and really teaches children about having a giving heart. Here are some things we have done over the years:

-Build and erect blue bird houses in a public park along with a local environmental group.

-Clean up and do repairs at a local toddler playground.

-Pick up trash on the side of the road in your neighborhood.

-Visit local nursing homes. This is one of my dk's favorite things to do. They will sing for the residents, hand out cards they made, dd handed out flowers on Valentines Day a couple of years ago, and they just like to visit.

-Shop for candy and donate it to a local nursing home at Halloween. We have a nursing home that has a special trick-or-treat on Halloween night where the residents hand candy out to children in costumes.

-Volunteer for a local Veteran's group. My dks have sang patriotic songs at the meetings and helped with fundraising in a couple of groups.

-Adopt a family in need at Christmas or contact your local police department. Ours collects gifts at Christmas to hand out and my dks like shopping for and wrapping the gifts.

-Collect and donate stuffed animals to the local police and fire dept.

-Collect canned goods for a food drive (we are getting ready to do this in another week or so).

-Visit with and help out an elderly neighbor.

HTH and way to go for getting your dks involved with giving back!

By Jackie on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 08:50 pm:

If you like animals, go volunteer at one of the animal shelters in the area. Believe me, they are always looking for volunteers. My son and myself volunteer at a Shelter when we have time on the weekends. The staff loves for volunteers to come in and walk the dog and play with the puppies and cats/kittens.

By Momofmax on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 10:16 pm:

Thanks, these are good suggestions!

By Yjja123 on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 10:17 pm:

Chemo angels is a great program. I have participated along with my children.

By Mrsheidi on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 10:32 pm:

My mom is in a nursing home and she loves getting her nails done and getting outside. Some places have a program where you can plug into an infrastructure already set up. You can also help with field trips...pushing wheelchairs, etc.

By Momofmax on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 10:07 am:

We've decided to look into joining a local group that works to beautify local parks and school grounds. We are also looking into adopting a family for the year. I am going to get in touch with our local nursing home to see what kinds of help they need there. Ds voted for the animal shelter idea. I'm going to investigate that. Among these ideas I'm sure we will find the kind of work that suits our family and helps our community. Thanks!