Volunteering as a Family

December 6, 2018
Volunteering as a Family

With the cold weather and the holidays approaching, there are plenty of opportunities in December to help others in need. Volunteering your time and effort as a family is a great way to lead by example and build a sense of gratitude and empathy in your child. Below are some ideas for getting kids involved in holiday giving, from DoGoodTogether.

Family-to-Family: Stocking Stuffing

Help your child pick out a stocking and some fun items to fill it for a child in need. Stockings for kids could include a stuffed animal, mittens, travel size games or puzzles, small toys, etc. Allow your child to be creative and thoughtful – what do they think another child would enjoy? When you’ve finished stuffing your stockings, email moreinfo@family-to-family.org for the name of a local shelter where you can bring it, by December 14.

Operation Gratitude: Letters of Gratitude

Operation Gratitude puts together care packages for our active duty military, veterans, first responders, and new recruits to thank them for their service. Adults can write letters, and kids can help by making small drawings or crafts to make service members smile. Visit their website for full instructions.

Citymeals on Wheels: Deliver Meals on Christmas Day

Citymeals on Wheels provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to frail aged New Yorkers. Volunteers are needed to deliver a nourishing meal on Christmas morning, along with warm companionship. Families can volunteer in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, or Brooklyn. Please contact Sheila@citymeals.org for more information.

Wildlife Conservation Society: Holiday Toy Drive

Take your child shopping for a gift for another child in need. From November 5 through December 31, drop off a new, unwrapped toy and you will receive a voucher for one free general admission ticket to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo or New York Aquarium (up to 4 vouchers per family).

To learn more about volunteering as a family, please visit DoingGoodTogether’s website here.

For more tips on raising grateful kids, click here.

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