What are some benefits of families volunteering together? (Waters, Volunteering Together)
- Fosters the next generation of volunteers.
- Get the parents back in the volunteer community, and they won't need a sitter.
- This can help children learn and get the job done quicker, "many hands make the work lighter".
- Utilize the ability of children to bring happiness to others
Get Connected allows agencies to select if needs are family friendly, then volunteers can quickly find opportunities for all ages!
Meredith is a 5-year-old girl in New York, she joined her mother on a special adventure to make PB&J sandwiches for the homeless. Her mother was concerned about bringing her, but much to her surprise other families had their kids with them, and the kids loved it! They did have questions like "why can't the people drive to get their sandwiches?" but listened intently to their parents answers. Meredith insisted on keeping her hairnet at the end of the event, as a reminder of her good deed. Her mother said it was a great way for Meredith to learn about social responsibility (Hale, Introducing kids to volunteerism).
"Two thirds of youths who volunteer become active adults who volunteer," says Tanisha Smith, national director of volunteer services for Volunteers of America (Brown, Tips for Volunteering with Kids). Children love to copy their parents, why not get them started by following you as a volunteer? Children as young as three can understand and enjoy helping and giving to others.
What's a good activity to start with?
- A community clean up, children can see the process of before and after and understand their impact.
- A birthday box for someone else
- Operation Christmas Child
- Holiday Mail for Heroes
- Salvation Army's Food and Toy Distributions
How to fit it into your schedule?
Many organizations do projects weekly, monthly, or annually, setting aside a little time can make a world of a difference to a family in need and to your own.
Instead of just going to the beach, take your children to a aquarium, park, or reserve. They normally have free or low cost educational walks or stops for children to learn and enjoy. Monterey Bay Aquarium has many sculptures and art pieces made out of trash items extracted from the ocean.
Interested in walking or running while still raising money for a great cause? Especially around the holidays organizations offer sponsor runs or fundraising runs, some even have a special run for children and even dogs!
Talk about it!
After every volunteer opportunity with the family talk to the kids about it. Help them process what they encountered and the difference that they made. Try reinforcing their good deed with a special treat or token, and always thank them from their efforts.
Resources
Volunteering Together: How Your Nonprofit Can Embrace Families Who Volunteer
Introducing Kids to Volunteerism
Tips for Volunteering with Kids
A Tradition on Giving: New research on giving and volunteering within families
