How to Get Your Children Involved in Volunteering Efforts

Volunteering is an important part of every community. No matter the size of a community, it is important for residents to volunteer in any capacity they can offer. There are plenty of groups, organizations, teams and charities within a community that need assistance raising funds, cleaning properties, serving food, collecting donations and more. If you want to get your children involved in volunteering efforts, here are a handful of tips to get them started.

Encourage Talent

If your child has a talent, encourage them to share it by volunteering. For example, if they can sing, encourage them to visit nursing homes or assisted living facilities and perform for the residents. Music is a great way to help people relax, relieve stress, and even heal. Does your child like to garden? Encourage them to plant trees or flowers for elderly neighbors or even organize an Earth Day event for their community.

Volunteer as a Family

If you want your children to start volunteering you should do it as a family. There are plenty of groups that welcome volunteers of all ages, including churches, schools, and other non-profits. When you are attending these volunteering events you need to speak with your children about what you are doing, why it is important, and how you are helping.

Begin with a Small Task

The best way to get children involved in volunteering is to start with something small. Don't send your child to a soup kitchen for an eight-hour day. This will likely discourage them from helping in the future. Start them with a small project, like collecting clothes for the homeless or collecting canned goods during the holidays. Don't worry if your child can only take part in one or two volunteering events per year. Build them up to enjoying the wonderful aspects of being a volunteer so it stays with them.

What Excites Your Child?

Find out what excites your child the most. For example, do they love to play soccer? If so, they can take this excitement for the sport and use it to teach children with developmental disabilities how to play the game they love. Does your teenager love using the computer? Why not recommend that they teach seniors at a senior center how to use the computer? This can be a great way for them to volunteer in their community and make a big difference in the lives of others.

Are you looking for new ways to get your children involved in volunteering? Contact the Hunter's Heroes Foundation to learn more about our mission and how you can help the community.